WCA to Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues: Report on atrocities committed against Arameans
During the UN Human Rights Council session on 14 March 2018, WCA called on the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Mr. Fernand de Varennes, to report on the atrocities committed against the Arameans in Syria and Iraq. In addition, the statement contained recommendations to the UN Security Council and General Assembly, pertaining to the future survival of the Aramean people in their homeland.
WCA to UN: Arameans in Syria and Iraq on Brink of Extinction
On 18 September 2016, the WCA gave a statement in Geneva during the General Debate of the 33rd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council. It emphasized that the indigenous Aramean people of Syria and Iraq are facing excintion and that the world needs to speak up and prevent such a humanitarian disaster from happening. The WCA Delegate Alexandra Tawaifi from Sweden presented the statement. The other WCA Delegates are Maria Manzano from Geneva and Jacob Harman from Sweden.
Alexandra Tawaifi delivering the statement of the WCA during the UN Human Rights Council General Debate under item 4.
The WCA Delegates Maria Manzano and Jacob Harman are seated behind Ms. Tawaifi.
UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria recognizes genocide by ISIS
Geneva, 21 June 2016
On 21 June 2016, the UN Human Rights Council continued its 32nd Session of the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Syrian Arab Republic. With the presentation of its report, titled “'They came to destroy': ISIS Crimes Against the Yazidis” (15 June 2015), the COI argued that ISIS is guilty of genocide against the Yazidis and called upon the UN Security Council to refer this case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) “or to establish an ad hoc tribunal with relevant geographic and temporal jurisdiction.”
WCA highlights underreported cases before Commission of Inquiry on Syria
On 13 March 2018, WCA again interacted with the Commission of Inquiry at the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council. This time putting emphasis on those cases which have been greatly neglected by the international community.
WCA to UN Commision on Syria and HRC: End YPG’s Kurdification of Northeast Syria
On 19 September 2016, WCA once again addressed the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Commission of inquiry on Syria at the 33rd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The first key message was to recognize, stop, punish and prevent acts of genocide committed by ISIS against Syria’s vulnerable minorities, such as the Arameans and Yazidis.
WCA submits statement to COI on Syria
On 15 March 2016, the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Syrian Arab Republic commenced. During this segment of the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council, states, NGOs and other stakeholders were invited to share their statements on the situation in the country. The WCA presented the COI and the Members of the Human Rights Council the statement below.
Arameans demand inclusion in Syria peace process
On Tuesday 14 March 2017, the WCA participated in the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council. It delivered an oral statement to both the High-Level Panel Meeting on Syria and later during the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. On behalf of the WCA, Mr. Jacob Harman stressed the ignored atrocities endured by Syria's native Arameans. Furthermore, he reiterated the need to include all Syrian groups and parties such as the Arameans to participate in the peace process to ensure its succes.
Scroll down to read and download the statement.
WCA to Human Rights Council: recognize and support Arameans of Syria and Iraq
Geneva, 23 June 2016
Continuing the general debate under item four of the Human Rights Council Session, a number of NGOs, including the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), took the floor to address the dire situation of the vulnerable minorities in the Middle East.
Human Rights Council: Create UN Fund for Threatened Indigenous Peoples of Middle East
On 22 September 2015, the 30th Session of the Human Rights Council continued its session with a clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. After addressing the UN Commission on Inquiry on Syria the day before, the WCA called specific attention for the neglected question of the Middle East’s most ancient indigenous people, the Arameans and their dying Aramaic language.
In her statement, the WCA’s Main Delegate to the UN, emphasized the urgent need for a UN Fund for Threatened Indigenous Peoples of the Middle East. This can guarantee the survival of the region’s native inhabitants who are not on the agenda of the UN Indigenous Peoples mechanisms.
