By Baghdadhope
Baghdadhope addressed some questions to Mgr.Philip Najim, the Procurator of the Chaldean Church to the Holy See about the revoke of Article 50 of Electoral Law for provincial councils which affects the representativeness, within such councils, of the Iraqi minorities.
Msgr. Najim, the Chaldean Patriarch of the Church, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, yesterday sent a letter to the leaders of the government and of the Iraqi parliament requesting the revoke of the abrogation of Article 50. Do you think that this request will be accepted? How important the appeal of Cardinal Delly will be?
"I think that it will have a significant importance. The Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans has always been the main contact between the government and the Iraqi Christian community. First, the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans has always had its headquarters in Iraq and we must not forget the contribution that we as a community gave to the construction and development of the country. If the future of our country is democracy it is necessary to apply its principles and then find a remedy for this injustice that concerns all the people and minorities in particular. "
Why, in your view, Article 50 was revoked?
"Certainly it has been a hasty decision that must be reviewed because the Iraqi people should be represented politically in its wholeness. This is a law concerning the provincial councils. The majority is not the topic but on the other hand, minorities also live in the provinces, if you do not give them rights how can you think to impose on them duties?"
Does this decision increase the risk, repeatedly complained of that people who are part of minorities can become "second-class citizens?"
"Absolutely. The risk is linked to the stability of the entire country. The minorities should have rights and duties in order to collaborate with the components of majority in its growth. Ruling their political representation they would be encouraged to stay in the country taking part in its life, and thus encouraging stability that requires the active presence of all components. The 13 seats that in July had been allocated to Christians have an enormous moral weight. To deny them means that the state does not recognize our rights as citizens, our very existence of Iraqis equal to the others. "
In the past you, but also other Iraqi Christians representatives, talked of "dark forces" operating to empty Iraq of its Christian component. The reference was to the violence that affected the community. Are we now in front of "legal" forces that have the same goal?
"These developments make think to other dark forces within the parliament. This is a "black politics" in the sense that it is the negation of democracy that respects the rights of the citizen. What can we think of this injustice, that the parliamentary majority wants to empty the country of the Christians? If that were the case it would not be possible to talk about democracy. Who speaks of democracy should remember the contribution Christians gave since the creation of Iraq not as linked to a church or a religion, but as citizens in every respect"
How this episode will reflect on the thousands Iraqi Christians fled abroad?
"Certainly it has been a hasty decision that must be reviewed because the Iraqi people should be represented politically in its wholeness. This is a law concerning the provincial councils. The majority is not the topic but on the other hand, minorities also live in the provinces, if you do not give them rights how can you think to impose on them duties?"
Does this decision increase the risk, repeatedly complained of that people who are part of minorities can become "second-class citizens?"
"Absolutely. The risk is linked to the stability of the entire country. The minorities should have rights and duties in order to collaborate with the components of majority in its growth. Ruling their political representation they would be encouraged to stay in the country taking part in its life, and thus encouraging stability that requires the active presence of all components. The 13 seats that in July had been allocated to Christians have an enormous moral weight. To deny them means that the state does not recognize our rights as citizens, our very existence of Iraqis equal to the others. "
In the past you, but also other Iraqi Christians representatives, talked of "dark forces" operating to empty Iraq of its Christian component. The reference was to the violence that affected the community. Are we now in front of "legal" forces that have the same goal?
"These developments make think to other dark forces within the parliament. This is a "black politics" in the sense that it is the negation of democracy that respects the rights of the citizen. What can we think of this injustice, that the parliamentary majority wants to empty the country of the Christians? If that were the case it would not be possible to talk about democracy. Who speaks of democracy should remember the contribution Christians gave since the creation of Iraq not as linked to a church or a religion, but as citizens in every respect"
How this episode will reflect on the thousands Iraqi Christians fled abroad?
"While travelling in Europe Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki always encouraged Iraqis, especially Christians, to return home, acknowledging the fact that the country cannot be emptied of a secular presence. If Article 50 is really revoked how you can ask them to return? A policy of discouragement would follow that of encouragement. Today I saw on Al-Sharqiya, an Iraqi satellite TV, Patriarch Delly’s statement about the topic. His appearance, voice, words, everything in him showed the feeling we feel that he twice sought to emphasize by the word: sorrow."
Cardinal Delly will be in a short time in Rome to attend the Synod of the Bishops. Do you think these new developments will be discussed in the Vatican that always, through the words of his Fathers, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, expressed its closeness to the Iraqi Christian community?
Cardinal Delly will be in a short time in Rome to attend the Synod of the Bishops. Do you think these new developments will be discussed in the Vatican that always, through the words of his Fathers, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, expressed its closeness to the Iraqi Christian community?
"According to the procedure each participant has the right to speak of his country linking the speech to the theme of the Synod. But now I do not know yet whether and how Cardinal Delly will address the topic."
In the general elections held in Iraq in 2005 Christians had poor results also for their political fragmentation in a myriad of small and big parties. Do you think that if Article 50 is revoked, the same could happen for provincial councils?
In the general elections held in Iraq in 2005 Christians had poor results also for their political fragmentation in a myriad of small and big parties. Do you think that if Article 50 is revoked, the same could happen for provincial councils?
"Regarding the vote for provincial councils by now I am optimistic. The reaction of all the Christian parties to the cancellation of Article 50 was unanimous and indeed, if the reaction to it will be fruitful, I hope they can learn the lesson that says that the strength is in unity and not in fragmentation."
In this particular situation what will be the role of the Iraqi Chaldean community living in Europe?
In this particular situation what will be the role of the Iraqi Chaldean community living in Europe?
"It is our duty, and I speak on my behalf but also on that of priests and Iraqi Christians citizens and politicians living in Europe, to call international attention on this grave injustice, this serious attack on democracy in Iraq that, just because newborn, needs to start to walk alone but with certain steps. The international community should understand how the democracy all hope for Iraq is nourished by the presence of minorities the exodus of which must be stopped."
What is your hope?
"The recognition to Iraqis Christians of all the rights that in a democratic country are the prerogative of citizens not because they belong to one or another ethnicity or religion but because they are its sons.
Because this is what we are: sons of Iraq, Christians, yes, but sons of Iraq. "