Assyrian National Council - Australia Inc.

ANCA Appeals to Senator Penny Wong Over Attack on Assyrians in Iraq

Canberra, 4 April 2025 –

The Assyrian National Council of Australia (ANCA) has written to Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, calling for urgent action following a violent attack on Assyrians during New Year celebrations in Dohuk, Northern Iraq.

On April 1, a Syrian assailant attacked civilians with an axe, injuring a 17-year-old boy and a 75-year-old woman. Eyewitnesses reported that Kurdish security forces failed to intervene, leaving young Assyrians to stop the attacker themselves.

ANCA President Hermiz Shahen urged the Australian Government to condemn the attack, demand accountability, and advocate for greater protection of Assyrians in Iraq. The Council also called for Assyrian representation in Australian diplomatic posts, minority hiring in Iraqi security forces, and international pressure through the UN, U.S. State Department, and European Parliament.

“Assyrians will not be silenced, and we will not be erased,” Mr Shahen said, reaffirming the community’s determination to safeguard its heritage and identity in its ancestral homeland.

ANCA delegation visits New South Wales Parliament -

The Assyrian National Council – Australia Inc. (ANCA) had the honour of visiting the New South Wales Parliament, hosted by Dr. Hugh McDermott MP, State Member for Prospect, Secretary to the Attorney General, and Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Assyria.

The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on the history and significance of Australia’s oldest parliamentary institution, while also strengthening ties of friendship and collaboration. We were especially pleased to be joined by Mr. Daniel Sada, keynote speaker for Assyria Day 2025, whose presence further underscored the importance of continued dialogue and advocacy.

Representing the ANCA were Mr. Hermiz Shahen, President; Mr. Adison Alkhas, Director; and Mr. Dennis Suro, Vice President of The Young Assyrians (TYA) and Community Manager at the ANCA. The Council places great importance on fostering the next generation of Assyrian leaders by equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools to actively engage in advocacy and public affairs.

The ANCA expresses its sincere gratitude to Mr. George Mpliokas, Advisor to Dr. Hugh McDermott MP, for his continued support and assistance in making this important visit possible.

Assyrian Martyrs Day Commemoration - August 2025

The Assyrian National Council of Australia (ANCA), together with the Young Assyrians (TYA), solemnly marked Assyrian Martyrs Day 2025 with two key commemorations in Sydney: a formal gathering at NSW Parliament House and a memorial service at the Assyrian Genocide Monument in Fairfield.

Both events honoured the hundreds of thousands of Assyrian martyrs who perished during the Genocide of 1914–1923 and the Simele Massacre of 1933, while reaffirming the community’s ongoing call for truth, justice, and recognition.

At Parliament House, hosted by Dr. Hugh McDermott MP, keynote speaker Dr. Anahit Khosroeva highlighted the shared suffering of Assyrians, Armenians, and Greeks, while Dennis Suro, President of TYA, urged lawmakers to ensure Assyrian history is taught in NSW schools. Awards were presented to Hon. Chris Rath MLC for his advocacy and to Dr. Khosroeva for her pioneering research.

On 10 August, the service at the Assyrian Genocide Monument included prayers by clergy of the Assyrian Church of the East and participation from Assyrian schools, ensuring the legacy of remembrance is carried by the next generation.

In his address, Mr. Hermiz Shahen, President of ANCA, honoured the martyrs and appealed directly to governments:

• For Australia to officially recognise the Assyrian Genocide.

• For Iraq to acknowledge the Simele Massacre, apologise, and safeguard the rights of Assyrians as the indigenous people of Iraq.

The strong presence of MPs, clergy, community representatives, and allies from the Armenian and Greek communities underscored a united commitment to remembrance, recognition, and justice.

Preserving the memory of our Martyrs - Restoration of the Assyrian genocide monument

In the first week of September 2025, Mr. Adison Alkhas, Board Member of the Assyrian National Council – Australia (ANCA), devoted his time and energy to restoring the surroundings of the Assyrian Genocide Monument. Over the course of a week, Adison undertook the important work of cleaning, repainting, and sealing the site to ensure that this sacred monument remains preserved for generations to come.

Upon completion of the project, Adison shared: “It has been an honour for me to volunteer in restoring this sacred place, bringing the Assyrian Genocide Monument back to its original form, and keeping alive the memory of our martyrs.”

The Assyrian National Council – Australia extends its deepest gratitude to Adison for his commitment and dedication. His voluntary service is a powerful example of the responsibility we all share in preserving this holy site — an eternal symbol of our people’s sacrifice, resilience, and unity.

ANCA and TYA Welcome Rev. Fr. Shlemon Dinkha - 28th August 2025

On 28 August 2025, the Assyrian National Council – Australia Inc. (ANCA), together with the Young Assyrians (TYA), had the honour of welcoming Rev. Fr. Shlemon Dinkha of St. Mary’s Assyrian Church of the East to its Head Office.

The meeting was marked by a spirit of collaboration and shared commitment to serving the Assyrian community. During the gathering, the ANCA officially confirmed its sponsorship of two upcoming charity runs in support of the Maidservants of the Lord’s Mission.

This initiative underscores ANCA’s dedication to strengthening community partnerships and advancing charitable works that provide real and meaningful assistance to those most in need. Through such collaborations, ANCA and TYA reaffirm their mission of service, unity, and advocacy for the Assyrian people, while promoting the values of compassion and solidarity that lie at the heart of our faith and culture.