[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON RELIGIOUS 
                           MINORITIES IN IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 944, which 
recognizes the persecution and displacement of ethnic and religious 
minorities in Iraq. This resolution calls on the Iraqi and United 
States governments to better protect the rights of persons of all 
ethnicities and religions.
  This resolution comes as the Chaldean community mourns the two-year 
anniversary of the murder of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho. Archbishop 
Rahho dedicated his life to the Chaldean Church in Mosul and sought to 
build interfaith relationships while advocating for the inclusion of 
Chaldeans and other vulnerable populations in the new Iraqi state.
  These vulnerable populations include Chaldeans, Assyrians, Turkmen, 
Sabean Mandeans, Yazidis, and Syriacs. Their unique languages and 
histories are among the oldest of the Mesopotamian region. Together, 
they represent the richly diverse heritage of Iraq.
  Since 2003, however, members of their communities have suffered 
marginalization, harassment, and violence. Many have been forced to 
seek safety away from their homes, often outside the country's borders. 
Ethno-religious minorities formerly comprised approximately five 
percent of Iraq's population; today, they comprise almost twenty 
percent of all Iraqi refugees registered with the United Nations 
Refugee Agency.
  Minorities fear such rates of displacement threaten the very future 
of their communities. Continued sectarian violence prevents the free 
exercise of religion, cultural expression, and political participation 
that are fundamental to democracy. This resolution underscores the 
importance that Iraq's upcoming elections be free, fair, and safe, and 
that the rights of its minority populations be protected.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
944 and in urging meaningful support for Iraq's ethnic and religious 
minorities.

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