Aramean (Syriac) people seek recognition from Turkey at United Nations in Geneva
Amsterdam, 23 January 2015
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This year marks the 100th commemoration of the Ottoman genocide against Turkey’s Armenian, Greek and Aramean populations. These nations still struggle for recognition of these crimes against humanity, while the Arameans continue an additional struggle for survival and for the recognition of their very existence as a people. Towards this end, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) invites you to the following side event, which takes place one day before Turkey’s Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations:
Turkey’s Native Aramean People:
The Case of an Unrecognized Minority
Monday 26 January 2015
12:00 – 14:00 hours
Room XXII, Palais des Nations
United Nations Office in Geneva
The WCA draws your urgent attention to the position of the Aramean people of Southeast Turkey, where they have a demonstrable presence of more than 3,000 years. As indigenous people who are now endangered in their ancient homeland, they rightfully seek their minority rights protections, undifferentiated from the protections afforded to other minorities and native peoples of the world.
Last year, in September, Israel would pride itself as the first country in the world to recognize the Aramean people. Turkey, however, still seems to be reluctant in acknowledging its Aramean citizens and in securing their future and cultural heritage. Turkey’s Arameans have never enjoyed their basic human rights, but were always subjected to discrimination and various forms of oppression and persecution. The unbearable situation in earlier decades would result in a mass exodus.
Today only 3.000 Arameans are left in Southeast Turkey, while 250.000 live throughout Europe. More and more Arameans are sick and tired of the screaming silence on these matters of injustice. They are chiefly concerned about the neglected issue of land theft by the state and local feudal lords. They want to be heard by the international community and the truth to emerge and prevail.
Therefore, the WCA has invited distinguished speakers to discuss Turkey’s reluctance to help and recognize its Aramean citizens. On the one hand, ongoing problems and obstacles will be outlined. On the other hand, recommendations, potential solutions and opportunities will be emphasized.
The event, which has attracted the attention of a number of UN Missions, NGOs and media, will highlight why the recognition of the Aramean people is of critical importance for their survival in Turkey (and the broader Middle East).
The WCA, until recently called the Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA), is an NGO in Special Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 1999. It is the leading voice of the Aramean (Syriac) people who are native to Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.
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For further information, please contact Ms. Sarah Bakir, the WCA’s Main Delegate to the UN Office Geneva (UNOG), at sarah.bakir [at] wca-ngo.org.
PROGRAM Opening by Moderator Mr. Johny Messo, President of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs)
12:00 - 12:10
12:10 - 12:15
Video clip: 3,000-year-old Aramean Cultural Heritage
12:15 - 12:45
Guest speakers
- Ms. Susanne Güsten, Foreign correspondent in Turkey & Mercator-IPC Fellow at Istanbul Policy Center
- Mr. Gregor Puppinck, General Director of European Centre for Law and Justice
- Ms. Nurcan Kaya, Turkey coordinator of Minority Rights Group
12:45 - 13:00
Interventions by UN Member States
13:00 - 13:45
Q & A
13:45 - 14:00
Closing remarks Moderator Mr. Johny Messo, President World Council of Arameans (Syriacs)
Syrias Maaloula Again Besieged: Nuns Kidnapped
Press Release
After the recent attacks by militant Islamic forces against the ancient Aramean towns of Maaloula and al-Raqqa, the world recently witnessed another organized assault against the Biblical towns of Sadad and Hafar. Sadly Maaloula is again the target of the Syrian rebel forces as they aim fire at innocent indigenous Christians and their lands, seemingly with the goal of expunging Syria’s Christian population from their homeland.
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On 4 September, Jubhat al-Nusra, a terrorist group associated with Al-Qaeda in Syria, had violently entered Ma’loula, killing a number of innocent Christians and destroying the town’s historic buildings. At the time, many of the Christians of Maaloula were told by the rebels that they had to convert to Islam or face death, thereby forcing some 3,000 civilians to escape from Maaloula in order to save their lives and those of their families. A month later, seven militant rebel groups joined forces in laying siege on the Biblical town of Sadad. Before the Syrian Army liberated Sadad, Jubhat al-Nusra and the Katibat al-Mahawer brigade of the Free Syrian Army held 1,500 Aramean Christian families hostage for a full week and used them as human shields. Hostages included defenceless women and children and many deaths of the innocent resulted.
PRESS RELEASE: 150 DAYS ABDUCTED: NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
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On Monday 22 April 2013, tomorrow precisely 150 days ago, two prominent Aramean (Syriac) Archbishops from the Syriac and Melkite (Greek) Orthodox Churches were abducted between Kafer Dael and Mansura, in one of the most dangerous areas in Syria known as the frontline between the Free Syria Army and the Syrian Government Army. Their car was intercepted and the driver, Mr Fatha’ Allah Kabboud, was cold-bloodedly shot dead, either during or shortly after the attack.
150 days have passed, and the Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, H.E. Gregorius Hanna Ibrahim, and H.E. Boulos al-Yazigi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo and Iskenderun, are still missing. Despite contradictory reports and rumours which have been circulating since their abduction, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) affirms that there is still no clear information about the identity of the kidnappers, their motivation and demands, their whereabouts or, most importantly, the condition of the two Bishops.
SYRIA’S KIDNAPPED CHURCH LEADERS STILL MISSING AFTER ONE YEAR
Today exactly one year ago, on 22 April 2013, the Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, H.E. Gregorius Hanna Ibrahim, and H.E. Boulos al-Yazigi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo and Iskenderun, were abducted by a rebel group near the Turkish-Syrian border. Their car was intercepted and the Aramean driver was shot dead, during or after the attack.
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200 DAYS ABDUCTED: NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
Press Release
On Monday 22 April 2013, today 200 days ago, two prominent Archbishops from the Syriac and Melkite (Greek) Orthodox Churches were abducted between Kafer Dael and Mansura, in one of the most dangerous areas in Syria known as the frontline between the Free Syrian Army and the regular army. Their car was intercepted and the driver, Mr Fatha’ Allah Kabboud, was cold-bloodedly shot dead, either during or shortly after the assault. The World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) asks the international community for urgent help.
Click here to download the Press Release
200 days have passed, and the Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, H.E. Gregorius Hanna Ibrahim, and H.E. Boulos al-Yazigi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo and Iskenderun, are still missing. Despite contradictory reports and rumours which have been circulating since their abduction, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) affirms that there is still no clear information about the identity of the kidnappers, their motivation and demands, their whereabouts or, most importantly, the condition of the two Bishops.
PRESS RELEASE: KIDNAPPED ARCHBISHOPS FROM SYRIA ALLEGEDLY HELD IN TURKEY
KIDNAPPED ARCHBISHOPS FROM SYRIA ALLEGEDLY HELD IN TURKEY
London, 6 August 2013 - Today it has been 106 days since the abduction of the Greek and Syriac Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Msgr. Boulos Yazigi and Msgr. Yuhanon Ibrahim. Rumors about their fate and alleged location in Turkey are still circulating like wild fire. Signs of life and reports about their whereabouts call for an immediate confirmation or denial by Governments.
The World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) denounces the unverified reports which recently have been spread by Turkish TV channels and newspapers, adding to the insecurity and fear that the abduction had already inflicted upon the Aramean (Syriac) people. It was reported that the two Bishops were killed, whereas their kidnappers were arrested and immediately sent back to their countries.
Syria's Maaloula Again Besieged: Nuns Kidnapped
Press Release
After the recent attacks by militant Islamic forces against the ancient Aramean towns of Maaloula and al-Raqqa, the world recently witnessed another organized assault against the Biblical towns of Sadad and Hafar. Sadly Maaloula is again the target of the Syrian rebel forces as they aim fire at innocent indigenous Christians and their lands, seemingly with the goal of expunging Syria’s Christian population from their homeland.
Click here to download the Press Release
On 4 September, Jubhat al-Nusra, a terrorist group associated with Al-Qaeda in Syria, had violently entered Maaloula, killing a number of innocent Christians and destroying the town’s historic buildings. At the time, many of the Christians of Maaloula were told by the rebels that they had to convert to Islam or face death, thereby forcing some 3,000 civilians to escape from Maaloula in order to save their lives and those of their families. A month later, seven militant rebel groups joined forces in laying siege on the Biblical town of Sadad. Before the Syrian Army liberated Sadad, Jubhat al-Nusra and the Katibat al-Mahawer brigade of the Free Syrian Army held 1,500 Aramean Christian families hostage for a full week and used them as human shields. Hostages included defenceless women and children and many deaths of the innocent resulted.
Syriac Orthodox Bishop from Damascus asks Dutch and German Parliaments, Media and Christian NGOs for Help
From 16-18 October 2013, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) hosted the Syriac Orthodox Bishop H.E Dionysius Jean Kawak from the Syrian capital for a lecture, presentation, meetings and interviews in the Netherlands and Germany.
After months of preparations, the WCA was able to successfully host the Syriac Orthodox Bishop H.E Dionysius Jean Kawak from the Syrian capital. Together with Mr. Feije Duim, the Program Officer of the Church in Action, Mr. Johny Messo, the President of the WCA, had arranged a rich program on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 October in the Netherlands.
100 DAYS ABDUCTED: NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
100 DAYS ABDUCTED: NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
After 100 days, the Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, H.E. Gregorius Hanna Ibrahim, and H.E. Boulos al-Yazigi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo and Iskenderun are still missing.
Despite contradicting reports, rumors and vague claims that have been circulating since their abduction, particularly by Turkish media, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) affirms that there is as yet no clear information about the identity of the kidnappers, their motivation and demands, their whereabouts, the health condition of the Archbishops, and more.
