البطريركية الكلدانية بطريركية الكلدان
The speech of Hi beatitude Louis Raphael Sako in the international celebration of human right in the Iraqi parliament .
Thanks to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which called for the meeting to exchange ideas and suggestions on “Minority Rights in Iraq: Reality and Ambition“.
Reality
Reality of the situation in Iraq remains a concern. It is regrettable that the security situation has deteriorated in the past months, and became bombings and assassinations almost daily.in addition to the emergence of powerful forces on ground that actually employs to perpetuate the sectarian divisions. To be sure, there are regional and international powers paid to the survival of the miserable situation in the region. This is a real concern for national peace and security and for citizens in General.
Also, religious extremism is increasing more and more, making religious communities especially Christians, Sabis and Yezidis live in a difficult situation that force them to migrate and leave the country, and it is regrettable that some embassies are facilitating their migration which impoverishes the country of their skills and weakens their remaining brothers who want to stay and continue living with others! The culture of “Majority and Minority” is unsuccessful because it is a political term that carries an aspect of exclusion and marginalization on account of equal citizenship and especially of the rights of minorities. Man should open his eyes widely to understand this painful, frightening and disturbing reality.
Ambition
Religious authorities in Iraq have a unique irreplaceable role in unifying people. There is a vital need for religious groups working together in promoting a culture of dialogue and peace in tangible ways, and culture of recognition of the other who is different, “God created us different”, and acceptance and respect for his dignity, and the consolidation of the values of citizenship and coexistence. The religious discourse that clings to turn prophetic and courageous focuses in defending strongly the rights of all people and the sanctity of their lives. It is in acceptable that an imam last Friday called Muslims to not greet non-Muslims. What is this culture!!
Also, the Government, in all its departments and sections, need to be united and to collaborate and engage in positive ways in providing security and protection of freedom of religious and ethnic diversity, as well as to promote reconciliation and social cohesion between all Iraqi components.
The “Culture of Peace” is a culture of “mutual care”. Everyone should interact with the highest level of exchange of ideas and proposals about concrete actions to strengthen the concept of dialogue and building trust and spreading a culture of peace and to promote the values of human dignity, human rights, citizenship, conviviality and values of freedom and democracy.
We, Christians, Sabis and Yezidis, are an essential part of the national society. We shared and share with all this historical existence based on coexistence, love and mutual openness and rejection of sectarianism and violence. We call on everyone to undertake their responsibilities in building bridges rather than walls and adopt the principle of balanced dialogue that is open to everyone to resolve the existing problems.
Our confidence in our people’s awareness, of all sectors, Muslims, Christians, Sabis and Yezidis, Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Shabeck and Assyro-Chaldeans to work together as one family, on team in order to live the one citizenship in peace and joy for the good of our citizens and our country.
