Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa) proposes vision for national partnership in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

ARBA’ILO, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — The Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa) announced a bold political vision aimed at securing genuine national partnership for the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). This comprehensive proposal advocates for full inclusion across governance, public life, and society, moving beyond symbolic representation. 

Zowaa’s vision, described as a roadmap for equitable coexistence, outlines a framework that integrates political, administrative, economic, cultural, and social rights. The document emphasizes that true partnership must be based on equal treatment and respect for ethnic, religious, and cultural pluralism. 

“This is not a plea for favors, but a call for justice,” the statement declared. “True partnership cannot be symbolic — it must guarantee the survival, rights, and future of our people in their ancestral homeland.” 

The proposal highlights the systemic marginalization experienced by the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community, including land expropriations, underrepresentation in public institutions, economic exclusion, and the erosion of cultural identity. While addressing these grievances, the document strikes a constructive tone, offering practical recommendations and inviting dialogue with Kurdistan’s political leadership. 

Zowaa urged Kurdish authorities to seriously consider the vision, acknowledge long-standing grievances, and commit to meaningful reforms. “We call on the political leadership of the Kurdistan Region to assume its responsibilities and work with sincerity and courage toward real solutions,” the movement stated. 

Political analysts see this announcement as a timely intervention, as Iraq’s minority groups increasingly assert their political agency amid shifting regional dynamics. Zowaa’s vision positions the movement as both an advocate for its community and a key stakeholder in Kurdistan’s broader democratic future. 

The response from the ruling parties in the KRI remains uncertain, but Zowaa’s initiative has added momentum to ongoing debates over representation, equality, and the future of Iraq’s indigenous minorities.