President of HBA Joseph Sliwa urges Kurdistan Regional President Barzani to act on land restitution

ARBA’ILO, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — Joseph Sliwa, President of the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo Beth Nahrain Athroyo, HBA) and former Iraqi MP, called on President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) Nechirvan Barzani to take decisive action to ensure justice for the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people by addressing the long-standing issue of confiscated properties. 

The appeal came during the opening of the Church Property Administration Conference at the Catholic University in Arba’ilo (Erbil). The event brought together Christian religious leaders, officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and civil society figures to discuss the protection and restoration of Christian heritage and property rights. 

In his address, President Barzani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to minority rights, emphasizing that these rights are fundamental principles, not mere rhetoric. 

“Christians are an integral part of our society and shared history,” Barzani said. “We fully support enacting a law to govern Christian endowments, ensuring their properties are safeguarded from encroachment or misuse, while aligning with Iraq’s legal framework.” 

Barzani asserted that the legislation would send a clear message that Christian rights, heritage, and presence in the region are protected. 

However, Joseph Sliwa criticized the president for failing to explicitly mention the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in his remarks. Sliwa emphasized that the community’s primary concern is not symbolic assurances but the restitution of lands systematically taken from them over decades. 

“Instead of speaking generally about protecting churches built nearly two millennia ago,” Sliwa said, “President Barzani should have addressed the overdue issue of returning lands belonging to our people.” 

Sliwa’s comments highlight ongoing tensions surrounding historical injustices and the need for tangible reparations to Iraq’s ancient Christian communities. The conference spotlighted the urgent need for actionable steps to preserve the region’s diverse cultural and religious heritage.