WCA brings Kidnapping and Oppression of Arameans in Northeast Syria by PYD-YPG Kurds to attention of UN Commission on Syria
On 23 September 2021, WCA President Johny Messo informed the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria about the ongoing oppression and kidnapping by the PYD/YPG Kurds of a prominent Aramean member of the Church Board in Qamishli, Northeast Syria, earlier this week. During this 48th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the below oral statement was presented (text and video) .
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 International Community: "Condemn the actions of the PYD/YPG"
On Tuesday 17 September 2019, the WCA urged the International Community to condemn the actions of the Kurdish PYD/YPG. WCA's Director for UN Affairs, Ms. Sarah Bakir, delivered her statement in front of the Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria during the 42nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
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.
WCA calls on UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria to Consider Underreported Aramean Issue in Next Report
On Tuesday 26 June 2018, WCA once again participated in the UN Human Rights Council session on Syria. WCA's Director for UN Affairs, Ms. Sarah Bakir, delivered the below statement (text and video), emphasizing underreported issues that require the Commission of Inquiry's attention.
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 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 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.
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.
