Iraq: Christians
Receive Threats Ahead of Elections
ICN
A flyer was posted through the doors of Christian homes in
Mosul yesterday, stating: "Do not go to vote and do not elect
Christians or you will die." As Sunday's elections approach,
the Christian community is becoming increasingly fearful. After
a spate of killings, at least 870 Christian families have
already left. A spokesman said: "others will flee in the days
before the election, perhaps to return after the vote, when the
situation has calmed down."
A survey taken by Agenzia Fides, shows that most Iraqi
Christians still want to stay in Iraq and participate in
politics. In the election, approximately 6,200 candidates,
spread over 306 listings, will be competing for 325 seats in
Parliament. There are 48 Christian candidates who come in six
specific lists (consisting only of Christian representatives).
These candidates are competing for five seats, which according
to the present Constitution are reserved for Christian
minorities in Parliament.
The 'Two Rivers List' has 10 candidates. The 'Chaldean Council'
competes with eight candidates. The 'National Ur List' has 9,
and the 'Ishtar Democratic Coalition' has 10 names. The
'Assyrian Chaldean Syriac People's Council' presents nine. There
are also two independent candidates, which have individual
listings. But besides these 48, there are three Christian names
on the list of the Party of Prime Minister Al-Maliki.
Political activity and representation are considered a key tool
in the struggle for the affirmation of the rights for Christian
minorities in Iraq. This is why political and religious leaders
are insisting that believers, despite the fear and hesitation,
come to the polls.
"Participating is a duty, to show that the blood of Christians
has not been shed in vain," one source told Fides.
"If Christian minorities abstain from voting, it is likely that
the rights of Christians will not be recognized in the political
arena, and that the Christian presence will end up being
confined to radicalism and sectarianism. If believers do not
vote, the criminals will have been successful in their efforts
of intimidation and marginalization," ....
There are currently about 600,000 Christians in Iraq. Before
2003, there were over 1.2 million in the country.
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