UNITED NATIONS SUB - COMMISSION ON PREVENTION OF DISCRIMINATION AND PROTECTION OF MINORITIES

48th Session
5-30 August 1996

Agenda item 6: Oral Statement

A Pathway to Human Rights for Northern Iraq


Mr Chairman,

The Assyrian Universal Alliance, on behalf of world's over 3 million dispersed Assyrians, wishes to express its gratitude to the Transnational radical Party and to the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities for the opportunity to give testimony about the human rights situation of those Assyrians who have managed to remain in their ancestral homeland in Mesopotamia which is known today as Iraq.

Let me begin by clarifying a few things. Assyria was destroyed as a political system in 612 BC but not as a nation or as a race. However, there are definite and continuous traces of Assyrians throughout history since 612 BC. They were among the first to embrace Christianity in the first century AD, and as a consequence they have suffered persecution and massacres. During the First World War, they were invited by the Great Britain as an ally, helped win a decisive battle against the Ottoman Empire and were caused to lose two thirds of their nation in this war. The British has promised the Assyrians independence, autonomy and a home for all Assyrians. Instead the British mandate in Iraq was terminated and the Assyrians were released to the Iraqi Government with guarantees as a minority pursuant to the 1932 Declaration of the Kingdom of Iraq (reproduced in: E/CN.4/Sub.2.1992/NGO/27). Since then Iraq has failed to comply with the articles of the 1932 Declaration (see also: E/CN.4/1995/NGO/52)> This also meant that the land ownership and special rights and privileges of the Mosul Vilayet of 1925 given to Iraq would be ignored.

In Iraq we have a very unique situation which offers an opportunity to demonstrate to the World of Nations that we can do something about effectively providing human rights to minorities that are under your preview. However, the Government of Iraq cannot alone be blamed for the present denial of human rights to the minorities in Northern Iraq. Yet, Iraq must be held fully accountable for the denial of human, Religious and linguistic rights to the Assyrians, Kurds, Turkaman and other minorities residing in the rest of the country. Examples of violations affecting Assyrians Community are detailed by the Special Rapporteur on Iraq of the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/1992/31, p.30, 31; E/CN.4/1994/58, p.33; E/CN.4/1995/91).

The situation in Iraq is such that not only the Assyrians politically discriminated against but they are also deprived of their freedom to practice religion and preserve their identity, culture and language. To the Assyrians which are the indigenous people of Iraq, religion and race are so intertwined that to take away either one of those two rights will effectively mean the destruction of the Assyrian identity.

The events of 1991 have brought about some responsibilities to the Commission and Sub-Commission by the acts of the United Nations which, without questioning the integrity of the country of Iraq, provides for a Comfort Zone where the majority of inhabitants North of the 36th parallel
are part of the minorities of Assyrians, Kurds and Turkaman.

The result of the efforts of the past few years speak for themselves. Three thousand killed or wounded, a continuous struggle for power through control of humanitarian aid being supplied to the armed divided Kurds "governing" the area, keeping the population captive and under their whim and control, and giving the false hope of an independent Kurdish Nation or Country. Those members of the minorities not in the armed camps fear for their safety and for that of their families. They struggle to provide ways of earning a living and protect their property from each other while those in command do little or nothing to help.

In the opening remarks, reference was made to a unique situation and an opportunity to effectively safeguard and promote human rights to all the Assyrians, Kurds, Turkaman and others of Northern Iraq. To accomplish this it is in the hands of the Sub-Commission to call for corresponding steps to be taken by the appropriate United Nations bodies. Most urgently, the power to distribute humanitarian aids must not be left in the hands of those who no longer have the confidence of the people.

IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICES AND DISTRIBUTION OF HUMANITARIAN AID, AN INTERIM CIVIL ADMINISTRATION, SUPPORTED MILITARILY BY THE ALLIES, MUST BE PUT INTO PLACE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.

This administration must adequately, reflect Middle East customs and traditions, and it must ensure freedom, liberty and justice for all. As such it would have to provide the necessary services and security, giving the local inhabitants the opportunity to effectively pursue the reconstruction of their villages and homes, and ensuring their civil, human and property rights. The financial means and sources are already in hand and present no problem. Whatever the future holds, this process must provide a solution which is also acceptable for Iraq and the neighboring people and governments. For it must not become a source of regional instability, but rather one of stability, security and economic well being.