Assyrian Democratic Movement to KRG: Where can our people turn when court rulings are ignored?

BAGHDAD — The Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people in Iraq’s historic region of Beth Nahrain are growing increasingly frustrated with the decades-long pattern of violations against their people, lands, and presence—violations that continue under the watch of the government in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The latest incident in Ankawa highlights the deepening concern, as influential figures—many affiliated with ruling parties—carry out illegal land seizures while authorities remain silent.

This silence persists despite multiple court rulings in favor of the community’s rightful claims, as well as repeated condemnations and appeals issued by Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian political parties, such as the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo d’Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) and the former electoral Athra Alliance. Local protests organized by residents of Ankawa, along with mobilizations from community organizations and diaspora groups, have also failed to prompt meaningful action from the government in the Kurdistan Region.

Related: Rallies in Ankawa about more than bars and brothels, residents fear systematic demographic change  

These demands have not subsided; on the contrary, they remain central to the political agenda of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian parties. In a recent move, the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ZOWAA), led by its General Secretary Yacoob Gewargis Yaco, sent an open letter to the Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. “Since direct dialogue has not been possible, and in light of the one-sided narrative some of your allies from within our people may be conveying, we feel it is necessary to present the other side — openly and through the media — in hopes that our message will be heard,” the letter read. “As former allies in the struggle, and with a sense of responsibility, we share this message out of genuine concern.”

The letter outlines a number of longstanding, unresolved issues impacting the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people. “While we recognize that some of these issues go back several administrations, the fact that they remain unresolved is unacceptable,” the letter states. “We had hoped your cabinet would take a serious approach, especially after you announced a new ministerial committee to address these matters. However, like the committees before it, this one also failed to deliver even minimal progress.”

Gewargis emphasized that the letter was not intended to discredit the government’s broader efforts, acknowledging the many challenges facing the Region. However, he insisted that the KRI has a moral and political obligation to prioritize the concerns of the indigenous Christian people, whose very presence is now under threat. He urged the government to adopt a policy of affirmative action—a promise that, so far, has gone unfulfilled both at the regional level in KRI or at the national level in Iraq.”

One of the central questions raised in the letter was why the government in KRI continues to ignore court decisions affirming the rights of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people to their lands in areas such as Nahla, Hezargot, Zakho, Sapan, and Upper Barwar. “Is it because those who have taken over the lands are connected to powerful parties in government?” Gewargis asked. “Where can our people turn for justice if the courts are powerless to enforce their rulings?”

السكرتير العام للحركة الديمقراطية الآشورية يعقوب كوركيس يوجه رسالة مفتوحة إلى رئيس حكومة إقليم كوردستان العراق السيد مسرور بارزاني بشأن قضايا تخص الشعب الكلداني السرياني الاشوري.

أدناه رابط لقراءة الرسالة بالكامل https://t.co/hOGB4HLYvf pic.twitter.com/xgfwyLumX1

— يعقوب كوركيس (@YacoobGYacoo) July 26, 2025

Turning to the situation in Ankawa, Gewargis described growing unrest in the town. “The people are angry, and yet the government continues to rely on biased reports from unreliable sources,” he said. “Meanwhile, the legitimate concerns of the residents are being ignored.”

He added that the transformation of Ankawa—from a peaceful, historic Christian town into a hub for suspicious activities, facilitated by the very authorities meant to protect it—raises serious questions about the government’s intentions. “Unless the government in KRI sees the people of Ankawa as second-class citizens,” Gewargis wrote, “it must act to address their concerns. At the same time, your ruling party uses its power to dominate every aspect of life in this small, once-serene town.”

The letter concluded with a strong condemnation of the broader treatment of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people in Arba’ilo (Erbi) and Nohadra (Duhok), which Gewargis described as “humiliating and degrading.” He noted that many families have emigrated not due to war or insecurity, but because of a deep loss of faith in government institutions and the absence of justice—leaving their future in Iraq uncertain at best.

The ZOWAA also attached over 30 images of official court rulings that confirm the land rights of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people—rulings that remain unimplemented to this day.