Two Archbishops kidnapped in Syria
TWO ARCHBISHOPS KIDNAPPED IN SYRIA:
PRELUDE TO MASS EXODUS OF NATIVE CHRISTIANS!
On Monday 22 April 2013, two prominent Aramean (Syriac) Archbishops from the Syriac and Greek Orthodox Churches were abducted near Aleppo in Syria. Their car was intercepted and the driver was cold-bloodedly shot dead, either during or shortly after the attack. Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, and a number of Ministers are actively working on the case.
“Why does the world remain silent on the growing plight of the Middle East’s dwindling native Christians?”
A Report on Syria’s Christian Refugees in Greece, Turkey and Lebanon
28 January – 5 February 2013
Oral Statement HRC 22nd Session - Agenda item 4, ID with COI Syria (11 March 2013)
Human Rights Council 22nd Session - Agenda item 4, ID with COI Syria
Oral Statement - 11 March 2013
Submitted by Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA)
Speaker: Mr. Basil Oezkaya
Thank you Mr. President!
There is a real danger that Syria is becoming a battlefield for Islamist militant groups and will result in another Iraq where more than a million Christians have been uprooted and distinct ethno-religious groups are still combating each other.
Christians mentioned yesterday in the UN Security Council -- WCA's work bearing fruit
New York, 19 April 2013 – Yesterday, the Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Bashar Ja’afari, addressed the Security Council in New York at a special session on Syria. He expressed Syria’s grave concerns about the Christians of the Middle East who are killedin and uprooted from their ancient homelands. He called upon the Council tohelp Syria protect Christianity in his country and prevent another Iraq scenario.
Visit Aramean Christian refugees from Syria in Istanbul, Turkey (12 February 2013)
On 12 February 2013, the chairman of the Swiss Federation, Mr. Melki Toprak, visited Aramean Christian refugees from Syria in Istanbul, Turkey, together with Mr. Turgay Altinisik. The latter is board member of the Committee for Refugees, co-chaired by Mr. Kenan Gurdal and Mr. Altinisik, and which has been established by the board of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Istanbul, presided over by Mr. Sait Susin.
Letter to Greek Ambassador in New York regarding Syrian Refugees in Athens (11 March 2013)
To the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations in New York City
Ambassador H.E. Anastassis Mitsialis
Monday, 11 March 2013
Dear Mr. Ambassador Mitsialis,
We refer to the meeting on 4 March 2013 of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) in New York City with the First Counselor Mr. Venizelos and the Second Secretary Mr. Dimitris Felopoulos. We primarily discussed issues pertaining the Syrian crisis, in particular that of the Aramean (Syriac) Christian refugees from Syria who have arrived in Greece.
Aramean families to Germany – registration forms
11 February 2013 - As you may have heard from your relatives in Turkey, the WCA, in cooperation with the German federation, have issued registration forms to make an inventory of the families that wish to be reunited with them in Germany. This urgent call came after the German federation successfully agreed with the German government to enter 5.000 Syrian refugees and with a keen interest to include a great number of Christians.
The WCA Syria Helpline -- now available for Syria related issues!
11 February 2013 - The Syria Crisis is a huge burden. Many worried Aramean (Syriac) Christians from all over the world have turned to the WCA and its Member Federations, especially with questions pertaining to refugees outside Syria and how to assist our people in Syria.
Statement by Metropolitan Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim: Christians in Syria facing a new unexpected tragedy
Below you will find a new Statement from our clergy on the ground in Syria, with commentary from Metropolitan Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim. There is no question that the situation is getting worse by the day. Lack of information and misinformation are key problems in the conflict.
Here you see from our Aramean Syriac Orthodox Bishops that there is fear, danger and death throughout Syria.
The WCA will continue to fight for justice and supports all our people in Syria (and those who have escaped the war), including our Clergy. God bless and help them all.
