House of Representatives Passes Resolution Supporting Religious and Ethnic Minority Communities in Iraq
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C., Nov 21 – Statement from the IRF Roundtable on House of Representatives Resolution Supporting Religious and Ethnic Minority Communities in Iraq
The House of Representatives has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to human rights and international religious freedom by passing a resolution addressing the challenges faced by religious and ethnic minority communities in Iraq and the broader Middle East. William Roberts shares,
“This advocacy initiative, led by William Roberts from In Defense of Christians and supported by the IRF Roundtable Congressional Working Group, gained significant momentum following the circulation of a multi-faith letter urging for the resolution’s passage.
The unanimous passage of H.Res.554 is a bipartisan victory for the religious and ethnic minority communities of Iraq and international religious freedom. Many of the Christian, Yazidi, and other communities devastated by ISIS over ten years ago remain internally displaced while facing persecution and deprivation of their political representation and other rights enshrined in Article 125 of the Constitution of Iraq. The support of the international community, led by the United States, to the stabilization of Iraq remains indispensable to rebuilding these vulnerable communities.”
This bipartisan resolution affirms U.S. support to these communities and outlines many of the challenges they continue to face. In Defense of Christians tirelessly advocated for H.Res.554, securing critical bipartisan cosponsors that enabled this resolution to be passed unanimously. We are grateful to Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin for introducing this resolution and Congressman John James for his critical support in pushing this resolution through the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We also thank all other congressional supporters of this resolution and advocates in the International Religious Freedom Roundtable that supported our advocacy for this resolution. During this transition in U.S. leadership and amid ongoing negotiations concerning the future role of the U.S. in Iraq, this resolution sends a powerfully inspiring message to these minority communities while putting the abusers menacing these communities on notice that the U.S. will not back down from a stable and pluralistic Iraq.
The resolution acknowledges the historical and cultural significance of communities such as the Yezidis, Turkmen, Shabak, Sabaean-Mandeans, Kaka’i, and indigenous Christians, including Chaldean, Syriac, Assyrian, Armenian, and Melkite groups, among others. These communities have enriched the cultural fabric of Iraq and have made invaluable contributions to societies worldwide, including here in the United States. Nadine Maenza, IRF Secretariat President, shares,
“As Yazidis, Syriac-Assyrian-Chaldeans, and minorities still struggle in Iraq 10 years after being targeted for genocide, thankful to the US House of Representatives for passing resolution highlighting their plight and urging continued support. A special thanks to Speaker Johnson for prioritizing this resolution for a vote and Rep Elissa Slotkin for her sponsorship, showing the strong bipartisan support for this issue.
As Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable, I appreciate the strong support from our participants and the leadership of our Congressional Working Group.”
In light of the atrocities committed by ISIS, including genocide, forced religious conversion, and other crimes against humanity, this resolution reaffirms the United States’ commitment to protecting the rights of these vulnerable populations. The resolution highlights the persistent challenges these communities face, including insecurity, displacement, and the difficulty of returning to their ancestral homelands.
Key provisions of the resolution include:
Protecting Human Rights: Upholding the internationally recognized rights of religious and ethnic minority communities.
Promoting Security and Stability: Supporting the restoration of security, stability, and economic opportunities for internally displaced persons, including those from Mosul, Sinjar, and the Nineveh Plain.
Preserving Heritage: Advocating for the restoration of religious and cultural heritage sites, including churches and other community landmarks.
Encouraging Representation: Supporting inclusive representation of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq, consistent with the principles of the Iraqi Constitution.
The passage of this resolution reflects the United States’ enduring commitment to the rights and dignity of all people. By supporting these communities, we honor their resilience and work to ensure their rightful place in a peaceful, inclusive Iraq.
All media inquiries and press communications for the IRF Roundtable are managed and facilitated by the IRF Secretariat.
For further information, please contact:
Kaylee Fisher
kfisher@irfsecretariat.org
