Terror in Iraq and Syria Leads to Unity in Diaspora

Assyrian Organisations Join Voices to Demand Protection by the International Community

Manhattan Beach. For the first time in modern history, Assyrians in diaspora — including Chaldeans and Syriacs — have come together to demand the creation of a safe haven for ethno-religious minorities in the Nineveh Plains of northern Iraq.

”We are working towards a unified effort regarding the current travesty in Iraq and Syria. We are acting under the Assyrian Universal Alliance’s UN NGO status in order to achieve international protection and forge a safe haven. Ten Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac organizations and political parties in America have overcome their political differences to strive for the granting of protection for their vulnerable brothers and sisters in their homelands.”

Eilrama Betkolia, chairman of the Los Angeles branch of the AUA, is pacing around his living room crazily. He is either making or taking a call at any given moment; he tells many of those trying to speak to him that he’ll have to call them back. Meanwhile, Alen Ternian, a medical doctor and board member of the AUA responsible for refugee outreach, is online searching for new articles about the Nineveh Plains and discussing the state of journalism in countries like Iran and Iraq. How come the Assyrian plight is not heard? Why isn’t there more reportage from Assyrian homelands?

”In our homeland you were supposed to become a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer. Journalism was an extension of the government, which meant nothing to us. Journalism and being an ethnic minority were incompatible: it meant you’ll be end up in jail. We therefore always lacked media attention because of a lack of native journalists in our nations. But it’s tragic to see that international agencies have largely ignored the persecution against non-Muslims in Iraq and Syria . ”

Betkolia sits down. He switches off his telephone for a while.

”Social media can alert us to atrocities as soon as they happen. Therefore, Assyrians all over the world are always in touch with events and that encourages them to work on behalf of their nation.”

While Betkolia goes through his Facebook and Twitter I open my e-mails. Carlo Ganjeh, chairperson of the AUA in America has just sent me this:

”The Assyrians, Yezidis, Arabs, Shabak, Turkomen, and Kurds of the Nineveh Plains are suffering because of a lack of governance in the area. The population of the Nineveh Plains needs to organize a council consisting of the elected officials from the districts, cities and villages in the region to resume government functions. I would like to thank the police force and the Kurdistan Regional Government for providing security to the people of Nineveh Plains.”

Alen Ternian is a human rights activist and a doctor. So for him, this is about humanity.

”Every human life is precious, Earlier this afternoon I heard a Dutchman talking about 200 of their people dying in the tragic events in Ukraine. He said that 200 lives are a lot for a small nation of 17 or 18 million. That made me think: what about the 45,000 people that were displaced in a matter of days? And what about the thousands of Assyrians that have been massacred in Syria and Iraq over the past few years?”

Yesterday UN condemned the crimes of ISIS against Christians:

The Secretary-General reiterates that any systematic attack on the civilian population, or segments of the civilian population, because of their ethnic background, religious beliefs or faith may constitute a crime against humanity, for which those responsible must be held accountable. All armed groups, including IS and associated formations, must abide by international humanitarian law and protect civilians living in areas they control.

It took me a couple of minutes for what the UN was saying to sink in. They really expect ISIS, the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, to protect their victims. I had to ask Betkolia and Ternian several times if it’s my English or if the UN actually wrote that. So here is a question Mr General Secretary: when will you sit at the table with ISIS to negotiate for human rights and the protection of Assyrians and other minorities? Myself and my fellow Assyrians will definitely not miss that meeting.

And, by the way Mr President, we’re also waiting for the response of the US administration. In the last few days the world media has been inundated with quotations from Obama and Kerry about Gaza and Ukraine. How many innocent boys and girls belonging to the minorities of Iraq and Syria have to be kidnapped, raped and killed before Obama and Kerry speaks out for them? Gaza and Ukraine have not been invaded by America.

Back to the AUA’s struggle to create a safe haven for their brothers and sisters who are struggling in dire conditions. Alen Mirza, global policy director of the AUA and human rights attorney in Oakland:

”In the past we’ve seen the international community take action to protect other vulnerable groups from persecution. What we are asking for now is nothing more than that.”