ssyrian Democratic Movement Deputy-Secretary General MP Yacoob Gewargis Yaco met with a number of Assyrian national institutions in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The meeting included Assyrian Democratic Organization, Assyrian International Union, Bet Nahrain Democratic Party, Bet Nahrain Assyrian Foundation, and several community figures.

During the meeting, they reviewed the following: general politics in the homeland, the situation of our Chaldean Syriac Assyrian people and the Nineveh Plain, including preparations for Iraqi National Elections.

The participants exchanged views on the topics in which MP Yacoob G Yaco presented Movement’s views on the situation and future direction post-elections. In addition, Mr. Yacoob elaborated on the need of achieving the establishment of the Nineveh Plain Province. In turn allowing our people to enjoy rights within a legal framework along with other components, providing protection for the individual and their affairs guaranteed by the Constitution.

He also stressed the role that our institutions in the Diaspora must play in encouraging voter participation, helping our people reach electoral centers, and casting their votes for any competing list within the national lists.

At the end of the meeting, he answered the audience’s questions and thanked them for taking part in the meeting. He also gave special thanks to the city’s national figure Dr. Ibrahim Lahdou, who presented a gift to the Deputy Secretary for the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU) Headquarters. The gift came in the form of a painting of Martyr Mar Benyamin Shimun. Dr. Lahdou is well known for supporting the national institutions of our people in the homeland and abroad.

Secretary General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement, MP Yonadam Kanna met with the Patriarchal Vicar of the Chaldean Church of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, Archbishop Mar Emil Nona, in his residence of Poseley Park, Sydney on March 17, 2018.

MP Kanna was accompanied by Mr. Immanuel Sada (senior official of the Movement) along with several members of the ADM.

he two sides discussed many issues concerning the Assyrian Chaldean Syriac people as well as the issue of displaced people. Additionally, the group discussed ways of returning the displaced to their homes and provide security, safety, stability, and compensation.

MP Kanna discussed the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for May and the importance of educating our people in Diaspora to participate effectively in these elections.

On his part, Mar Emil Nona thanked MP Kanna for his visit. The Archbishop emphasized the trip’s importance in meeting our people in the Diaspora, explaining our people’s situation, and listening to their demands. He also urged his delegation to unite the discourse and meet it with joint action, especially at this difficult stage. Finally, Archbishop Mar Emil Nona wished MP Yonadam Kanna success in serving our people and his just cause at home.

As part of his tour within the delegation of the Parliament of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to Britain, which is headed by Dr. Jaafar Ibrahim (Deputy Speaker of Parliament) MP Yacoob Gewargis Yaco (Head of Al-Rafidain List in the Parliament of the Northern Region of Iraq) met with Ms. Zoe Winterton (Deputy Speaker of the British Parliament) as well as Dr. Julian Lewis (Chairman of the British Parliament’s Defense Committee) in London.

In his statement during the meetings, MP Yacoob asked the international community to play its role in supporting small national components that have been subjected to genocide and displacement at the hands of ISIS. He confirmed that the sincerity of the international community towards small indigenous components, such as the Assyrian Chaldean Syriac people, is not facilitated by the process of emigration, but rather by contributing to sustaining existence in their homeland.

He also called on the British government to help the constituents of the Nineveh Plain to rebuild their communities, provide financial and logistical support, and participate in the development of infrastructure in these areas. He also requested that they support local security through the people of the region to participate in maintaining the security and stability of their areas. He mentioned that the region paid dearly by not having their own people have a role in the security and stability in the Nineveh Plain.

He also participated in a political dialogue session organized by the British Army and Navy Club. Speaking at the meeting, MP Yacoob said that Assyrian Chaldean Syriac people were subjected to killings, displacement, and demographic change of their historical region since the establishment of the Iraqi state. He spoke about how they were the victims of the first massacre and genocide in the contemporary political history of the Iraqi state since its establishment. He stated this occured in front of the British Mandate who did not move a finger as they watched thousands of innocent Assyrian Chaldeans Syriacs (men, women, young, and old) being slaughtered.

He stated this continued in the shadow of all the political regimes that ruled Iraq and consequently his people were broken, bombarded with chemical weapons, and their villages destroyed. Today, the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian people suffer as a result of the bad policies of the government in Baghdad as well as the absence of partnership and abuses in the region.

He stressed that the stability of Iraq will only occur if all the components of Iraq obtain their rights on a fair basis, whether Sunnis, Kurds, or Assyrian Chaldean Syriacs. He stated this will only happen through a constitution guaranteeing the rights of all under the national umbrella that protects the Iraqi people in various recitations. He added that what is happening today in relation to conflicts and major violations even prior to ISIS, were caused by issues of class, power, and marginalization of others.

The visit also included meetings with parliamentarians and other British institutions.