Assyrian Christians ‘Most Vulnerable Population’ in Iraq
By Michelle Vu
Christian Post
For the full story, go to (Christian Post) Β Christians for Assyrians of Iraq (CAI) organized a rally on Monday to raise awareness of the plight of Iraq Βs Assyrian (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs) Christian population which has been called a humanitarian crisis.
ΒThis should be a priority because Assyrian Christians are the indigenous people of Iraq and many people donΒt know that,Β explained Paul Isaac, one of the rallyΒs organizers. ΒBecause of their small population, weak status, and lack of regional support they have no one to protect them from all the violence.Β
Isaac pointed to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) report statistic that although Assyrians comprise only five percent of Iraq Βs population, they make up nearly 40 percent of the refugees fleeing Iraq . He said that although all the ethnic and religious groups are suffering in Iraq , Βit is clear that the Assyrian Christians are suffering by far the mostΒ
and they really have no one to protect themΒ
Β
In addition to the troubling Assyrian refugee statistic, there has been a rise in reports of persecution of Assyrian Christians in Iraq . Recently, in October, a 14-year-old boy near Mosul died by a crucifixion-murder. In the same month, Father Paulis Iskander was beheaded in Mosul .
CAIΒs solution is the formation of an autonomous zone in Iraq for Assyrians and other Christians. The zone, called the Nineveh Plains Administrative Unit, is likened to a state where Assyrians and Christians can practice their faith, speak and teach their language, and work without fear of persecution.
