Chaldean Patriarch Mar Louis Raphael Sako meets with Yazda Foundation delegation to address minority rights in Iraq

BAGHDAD — On 4 August 2025, Chaldean Patriarch Mar Louis Raphael Sako welcomed Yazda Foundation Executive Director Natia Navrouzov and her accompanying delegation for a meeting focused on the plight of Iraq’s minorities and their future.

The visit included a screening of a film depicting the 2014 Yazidi tragedy in Shiggur (Şengal / Sinjar) in northern Iraq, after which discussions turned to the challenges minorities have faced over the past 11 years and the steps needed to secure their rights and safety.

Patriarch Sako outlined three key points during the meeting. First, he stressed that the situation of religious and ethnic minorities remains deeply concerning, making it essential to work collectively by forming a unified minority alliance to advocate for their rights.

Second, he warned that the continued erosion of religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity in Iraq poses a serious threat to the country’s future. This includes the denial of rights, the seizure of minority resources, and the ongoing wave of emigration that weakens Iraq’s social fabric.

Third, Sako called for increased pressure on the Iraqi government to actively protect and support minorities. He emphasized that justice and concrete measures — not merely promises — are necessary to enable these communities to sustain their historic role in Iraq’s progress and prosperity.

He concluded that these goals can only be achieved through the establishment of a true civil state that guarantees equal rights and protections for all citizens under the constitution.

Following these remarks, discussions between the Patriarch and the Yazda delegation continued, focusing on how to implement these proposals and strengthen cooperation in defending minority rights.