Friday, March 20, 2015

 

Assyrian Aid Society - Parallel Event
More Than Crimes Against Humanity: ISIS Targets Yezidis and Assyrians for Genocide
Date: March 20, 2015 Location: Room 24
Time: 3-5 PM, Geneva, Switzerland local time

 

Moderator:
Sam Darmo – Assyrian Archivist

 

Scheduled Speakers:
Michael Youash – has been documenting the humanitarian crisis of minorities in Iraq since 2004
Mar Odisho Oraham - Assyrian Church of the East Bishop Diocese of Europe
Al Jasdin Osman – attorney who has documented the stories of Yezidis IDPs living in tent cities
Faisl Mahmud Karow – who lost thirty-eight family members to ISIS brutality
Prof. Ali Sedo Rosso – professor, expert on Yezidis victimization by extremists

 

Video Presentation: Courtesy of The Cradle Fund and Institute for Global Engagement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_LzhVP22nI

 

On Friday, March 20th 2015, the Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq brought together a robust showing of Permanent Missions to the UN Geneva, including the United States of America, the Russian Federation, Iraq, the United Kingdom, Armenia, Ireland and Canada, among others. Numerous NGOs were also present, including the AUA America’s Chapter, the Assyrian Human Rights Network, the Nineveh Centre for Research and Development, the Assyrian Writer’s Union, the World Evangelical Alliance and the International Association-International Gulf Organization. The Assyrian Democratic Movement was also present for this important parallel event.

 

At the heart of the matter is the reality that UN Human Rights Council processes are too slow moving to address the immediacy of genocidal violence facing Yezidis and Assyrians as well as the humanitarian needs of these peoples. In effect, Assyrians and Yezidis will not survive while the UN Human Rights Council ‘talks’. Using its decades of delivering humanitarian relief to the area’s most afflicted populations, the Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq brought together speakers who could put the issue to those Missions with the power and interest to hopefully change ‘business as usual’ and recognize that change is needed to save Assyrians and Yezidis.

 

The Republic of Armenia asserted its ongoing commitment to the preservation of Assyrians and other vulnerable minorities and to profile its resolution on genocide prevention. The U.S. and UK also made formal interventions restating their commitment and activities geared to the preservation of minorities but unable to indicate whether such concern will translate into notable action at the UN Human Rights Council. The Russian Federation was unable to make its formal intervention due to time constraints. However, the Assyrian Aid Society appreciates Russia’s earlier efforts, through its Joint Statement adopted by 62 other missions calling for the preservation of ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East.

 

The Assyrian Aid Society wishes to express a special thanks to Assyrian Church of the East Diocese of Europe, H.G. Mar Odisho Oraham, whose attendance at the UNHRC was graciously facilitated by the World Evangelical Alliance. H.G. Mar Odisho’s linking of Assyrian suffering throughout history and into the present, made a deep impression on all attendees. Also, Giorgees Hanna Mashko, Assyrian Democratic Movement Director for Mid Europe, highlighted the desperate plight of the Assyrians and outlined the necessary solutions. We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to Mr. Osama Edward, director of the Assyrian Human Rights Network, for translating all statements at the event. We take pride in the focused participation and united tenor of this group of dedicated professionals, with only the best intentions at heart for our struggling Assyrian nation, in solidarity with our Yezidis brothers and sisters.

 

We hope to provide further details of the meetings and presentations at the UNHRC to not only inform the public about the realities of UN processes, but to also report on the outcome of these significant efforts. It is crucial that regular and special sessions of the UNHRC are utilized in the most productive manner, to make our demands heard clearly and without any ambiguity.

 

New perspective can change how the UN discusses this crisis. The Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq has been working at the epicenter of the humanitarian crisis, receiving the internally displaced from Mosul in the Nineveh Plain and then fleeing north to escape the ISIS onslaught while still delivering humanitarian aid. The shared tragedy between Yezidis and Assyrians can only be fully understood through such experiences; with the aim of moving the UN to take action.

 

The Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq would also like to thank all those Assyrian activists who mobilized to raise the profile of our plight and received the attention of the United Nations in Geneva. This activism is playing an important role in our work during the 28th session of the UNHRC.

 

Special Note: This event marks the first time ever in Geneva that UN representatives of permanent missions, delegates and attendees were hearing the Assyrian language spoken in full presentation with Assyrian-to-English and Assyrian-to-Arabic translation. The Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq appreciates Mr. Sam Darmo’s initiative for bringing about this special moment and for Mr. Osama Edward’s translation to English and Mr. Giorgees Mashko’s translation to Arabic.