Events:
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 HOUSE APPROVES PETERS’ RESOLUTION Resolution Calls for Investigation of Human Rights Violations and Protection for Iraqis Displaced and Persecuted in the Wake of War Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a resolution authored by Congressman Gary Peters to provide support for Iraqi refugees and religious minorities displaced and persecuted in the aftermath of the Iraq war and subsequent ethnic and sectarian violence. The resolution passed by a vote of 415-3. Rep. Peters’ resolution (H. Res 944) seeks an investigation into human rights violations and calls for an end to the abuse of Iraqi religious minorities. It also urges the United States and United Nations to urge the Iraqi government to protect religious minorities by ensure free and fair elections, training Iraqi security forces and providing safe places to worship. Finally, the resolution calls for the U.S. to work with the Iraqi government to ensure the physical and economic safety of the displaced wishing to return to Iraq. Speaking in favor of his resolution on the House Floor yesterday (when debate on the resolution began), Congressman Peters said, “Iraqi Christians and other religious minorities are often specifically targeted in gruesome and random acts of violence, such as murder, rape, and abductions. These stories continue to be tragically common, and more must be done by the U.S. government and the government of Iraq to protect religious minorities. It is no longer possible to stand by and watch as millions of religious minorities are subjected to torture, abuse, and discrimination.” “This is a proud yet solemn day for the Chaldean community. The Chaldean Federation of America applauds passage of this resolution,” said Joseph Kassab, Executive Director of Chaldean Federation of America. “We are very grateful to Representative Peters for authoring this resolution and to his colleagues in Congress for passing it to shed light on the oppression and killing of religious minorities in Iraq. Representative Peters is to be commended for his focus on the issues important to the people he represents, and for working to help protect Christians and other religious peoples from facing terrible injustice simply because of their religious beliefs.” Since 2003, approximately two and a half million refugees and asylum seekers have fled Iraq and millions more have become displaced, forced to flee their homes and neighborhoods because of sectarian violence. In fact, there were approximately one and a half million Christians in Iraq in 2003; today there is less than half that amount. The resolution was considered this week to coincide with the two year anniversary of the abduction, and subsequent murder, of Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul Paulos Faraj Rahho on February 29, 2008. Congressman Peters is working closely on this issue with Senator Carl Levin, who has introduced a companion resolution in the Senate. Click here to view video of Congressman Peters speaking about this resolution on the House floor. Click here to view the text of H. Res. 944.
TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS
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Is There a U.S. Policy For Protecting Ancient Religious Communities in Iraq?July 13, 2010 Please Join the International Religious Freedom Caucus and the Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus for a Staff Briefing on Iraq’s Vulnerable Religious Minorities 3:00-5:00 p.m. July 13 340 Cannon House Office Building Dear Colleague: Please join the International Religious Freedom Caucus and the Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus for a special opportunity to discuss the state of Iraq’s vulnerable ethno-religious minorities with experts in U.S. policy and religious freedom. According to the 2010 annual report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: “The religious freedom situation in Iraq remains grave, particularly for the country’s smallest, most vulnerable religious minorities. The violence, forced displacement, discrimination, marginalization, and neglect suffered by members of these groups threaten these ancient communities’ very existence in Iraq. These minorities, which include Chaldo-Assyrians and other Christians, Sabean Mandaeans, and Yazidis, continue to experience targeted violence, receive inadequate official protection or justice, and suffer discrimination. Since 2003, many have fled to neighboring countries, where they represent a disproportionately high percentage of registered Iraqi refugees.”
We urge you to join us to hear from the following experts about the unique needs and challenges facing minority faiths in Iraq and to discuss what more can be done to promote and protect their religious freedom rights through U.S. policy. Panelists include:
PANEL I: Archbishop Avak Asadourian - Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq, General Secretary of the Council of Christian Leaders of Iraq Dr. Layla Alroomi – Spokesperson, Mandaean Human Rights Group Mr. Zirian Shammo - Representative, Yezidi Community PANEL II: Michael Corbin – Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs PANEL III: Nina Shea – Director, Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom Jason Gluck – Senior Rule of Law Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace Christopher Blanchard – Middle East policy Analyst, Congressional Research Service
In an effort to alleviate the suffering of thousands of Iraq’s war torn and displaced Chaldean Persons in Turkey, the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) www.tc-america.org and the Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) www.chaldeanfederation.org held a signing ceremony for the $100,000 TCA humanitarian assistance grant to the CFA. The ceremony was held at the Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at 7:00 PM. Monsignor Francois Yakan, Vicar of the Chaldean Patriarchate in Turkey and Mr. Erol Dura, a board member of the Turkish Chaldean-Assyrian-Syriac Humanitarian Organization (KASDER) also signed on receiving this humanitarian award for their organization being selected as the facilitator and provider of award funds to these displaced persons. CFA and KASDER agreed to allocate 100% of the grant funds for the intended humanitarian relief; no overhead cost will be deducted. The local Chaldean Assyrian Association and community has played an invaluable role in implementing this aid program in addition to their existing efforts which have sustained the most pressing needs of the refugees for a considerable time. “The Chaldean Federation of America is grateful to the Turkish American Community for the well thought and just in time humanitarian aid grant towards the immediate needs of the thousands of displaced Iraqi Chaldeans scattered throughout Turkey. CFA will continue to work with TCA to ensure adequate humanitarian relief and protection to those who need it the most,” said Joseph T. Kassab, Executive Director of CFA. “The Iraqi refugee crisis continues to be one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian concerns. The work that the Chaldean Federation of America is doing to serve this vulnerable population is of critical importance, and helps contribute to the overall stability and security of the region,” Congressman Gary C. Peters, who represents Michigan’s 9th Congressional District which includes the Chaldean Federation of America’s national headquarters in Farmington Hills and is home to tens of thousands of Chaldean-Americans. “I extend my gratitude to the Turkish Coalition of America for providing this grant, and look forward to working with both of these organizations to help address the needs of Iraqis refugees and internally displaced people.” “I thank the Turkish Coalition of America for providing financial support to one of the largest Chaldean populations in southeastern Michigan,” said Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13). “This donation to the Chaldean Federation of America illustrates the positive impact that America’s ethnic communities can have on improving the lives of people in the United States and abroad. I applaud both organizations for working together to assist those in need.” “There are hundreds of thousands of Iraqi minorities who fled from violence and threats on their lives in Iraq, only to find they are unable to support themselves and their families in host countries where they live as refugees,” said Congressman John Dingell (MI-15). The partnership between the Turkish Coalition of America and the Chaldean Federation of America, which will provide assistance to displaced Iraqi Chaldeans in Turkey, is a much needed lifeline for this vulnerable population. As a Representative from a Congressional District with a high proportion of Iraqi refugees resettled in the United States, I have seen first hand that the U.S. cannot simply rely on the generosity of groups like TCA and CFA. The U.S. must lead by example, and immediately implement a comprehensive plan to address the Iraqi refugee crisis.” “TCA is proud to make this donation to the Chaldean Federation of America in an effort to help alleviate the suffering of displaced individuals,” said Lincoln McCurdy, President of the TCA. “It is our hope that this effort will continue our efforts to build bridges between communities and further understanding between cultures.” TCA and CFA will continue to promote their relationship to their respective communities and the general public in the U.S. and Turkey to provide the best possible comfort to the displaced and the vulnerable Iraqi Chaldeans in Turkey.
The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) is an educational, charitable organization incorporated in February 2007. Based in the nation's capital, TCA's objective is to educate the general public about Turkey and Turkish Americans and voice their opinion on critical issues to interested parties; engage and cultivate a new generation of young Turkish American leaders; promote and advance the interests of the Turkish American community and Turks; foster friendship, understanding and cooperation between the United States and Turkey; protect the character and ensure a realistic portrayal of Turkey and Turkish Americans in the media and the arts; serve as a think tank of expertise and a clearinghouse of information on Turkey and Americans of Turkish descent.
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