By SIR
According to Mgr. Louis Sako, Archbishop of Kirkuk, “it is praiseworthy that the letter places emphasis on the issues of human rights and religious freedom. There is a need for a change in mentality to overcome this lack. No faith can be submitted to another”.
Nevertheless, he told SIR, “the problem is both religious and political. Many attacks are politically motivated; they are not organised by extremists only. We have to investigate who is behind these criminal acts and why. The message of the European Parliament is a big step forward because it can raise political awareness about the issue. The European Parliament and the international community should help the Iraqi authorities shed light on these crimes. Declarations of intent are not enough. There is a need for cooperation in the training of police officers and the army, for instance, so that they may ensure better protection for citizens”. “
In Iraq – he concluded – there exists an ideological and sectarian division. Our political leaders, be they Shiite, Sunni, Kurdish, Arab or Christian, should understand that they sit in Parliament not to pursue the interests of their own party or ethnic group, but that of the whole country”.
According to Mgr. Louis Sako, Archbishop of Kirkuk, “it is praiseworthy that the letter places emphasis on the issues of human rights and religious freedom. There is a need for a change in mentality to overcome this lack. No faith can be submitted to another”.
Nevertheless, he told SIR, “the problem is both religious and political. Many attacks are politically motivated; they are not organised by extremists only. We have to investigate who is behind these criminal acts and why. The message of the European Parliament is a big step forward because it can raise political awareness about the issue. The European Parliament and the international community should help the Iraqi authorities shed light on these crimes. Declarations of intent are not enough. There is a need for cooperation in the training of police officers and the army, for instance, so that they may ensure better protection for citizens”. “
In Iraq – he concluded – there exists an ideological and sectarian division. Our political leaders, be they Shiite, Sunni, Kurdish, Arab or Christian, should understand that they sit in Parliament not to pursue the interests of their own party or ethnic group, but that of the whole country”.