Assyrian National Council - Australia Inc.

High-Level Meeting with Minister Tony Burke and Minister Chris Bowen: Addressing Humanitarian Challenges for Assyrians

The Assyrian National Council of Australia (ANCA) had the honour of welcoming The Honourable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and The Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Federal Member for McMahon, to its office in Fairfield for a high-level meeting focused on the urgent humanitarian challenges facing displaced Assyrians in the Middle East.

This important discussion provided an opportunity to present firsthand insights into the critical issues affecting Assyrian communities, including displacement, resettlement needs, and the ongoing threats to cultural and religious heritage. ANCA emphasised the necessity of coordinated international support, effective policy responses, and sustainable pathways to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable families.

The meeting was made possible through the continued support and advocacy of Minister Chris Bowen, whose commitment to the Assyrian community has been invaluable in raising awareness of these pressing humanitarian concerns. Both Ministers engaged in meaningful dialogue on how Australia can contribute to practical solutions that protect displaced Assyrians and promote cultural preservation.

ANCA looks forward to continuing collaboration with Ministers Burke and Bowen, as well as other federal leaders, to advocate for practical outcomes that provide protection, stability, and hope for Assyrians and other persecuted minorities across the Middle East.

Addressing the Urgent Needs of Assyrian Refugees with The Hon. Julian Hill MP

The Assyrian National Council – Australia (ANCA) had the honour of hosting The Hon. Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, and Assistant Minister for International Education, at the ANCA office in Fairfield.

This important meeting served as a continuation of ANCA’s earlier discussions with The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Immigration, providing a constructive platform to highlight the urgent humanitarian concerns facing the Assyrian community. ANCA expressed its sincere appreciation to Minister Hill for his engagement, willingness to listen, and commitment to understanding the challenges confronting Assyrians—particularly refugees who have been displaced for many years in Türkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Discussions focused on exploring practical pathways for enhanced collaboration between the Department and ANCA to address these needs and work toward sustainable, long-term solutions that uphold the safety, dignity, and well-being of vulnerable individuals and families.

ANCA also acknowledged the ongoing advocacy and dedication of its Board Members, whose efforts continue to advance the interests of the Assyrian community. Special recognition was given to Ms Agita George Antoon, Principal Solicitor at Double Eight Legal, for her professional contribution and insightful presentation during the meeting. Additionally, ANCA recognised Mr Ninos Aaron from the office of The Hon. Chris Bowen MP for his support and participation in facilitating the discussion.

During the meeting, Mr Hermiz Shahen, President of ANCA, formally presented Minister Hill with a detailed letter outlining the pressing challenges facing Assyrian refugees and proposing concrete steps to strengthen coordinated humanitarian efforts. The meeting reflected a collaborative and solution-focused approach, reinforcing ANCA’s commitment to advocacy and to ensuring that displaced Assyrians receive the protection and support they urgently need.

Engaging with Senator Jessica Collins

The Assyrian National Council of Australia, together with The Young Assyrians, was honoured to welcome Senator Jessica Collins. Our discussions covered a broad range of important topics, including international affairs, challenges facing the Assyrian community in Australia, and the initiatives we are leading to support and empower our members.

Senator Collins showed genuine interest in our community’s contributions and the unique issues we face, emphasising the importance of inclusive representation and meaningful engagement in policymaking. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties with our elected representatives, ensuring our voices are heard on both local and national stages.

We look forward to continuing this dialogue and collaborating on initiatives that advance the cultural, social, and political well-being of Assyrians across Australia.

80th anniversary of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies

The Assyrian and Jewish communities in Australia share a long history of solidarity, mutual respect, and collaboration. Both communities have faced challenges in preserving their heritage and identity, and together we continue to strengthen ties through cultural, social, and advocacy initiatives.

It was an honour to celebrate this milestone and reaffirm the strong bonds between our communities, working together to promote inclusion, human rights, and shared values across Australia.

Events like this remind us of the power of community partnerships in creating positive change. By learning from each other’s experiences and supporting one another, we can ensure that the voices and stories of our communities are heard, respected, and celebrated. I look forward to continuing this journey of collaboration and friendship, building a future where our diverse communities thrive together.

Assyrian National Council of Australia - Statements

ANCA Condemns the Destruction of Assyrian-Owned Business in Nohadra (Duhok) and Calls for Urgent International Intervention

The Assyrian National Council – Australia expresses its strongest condemnation of the shocking and unlawful demolition of the Assyrian-owned business Ruben Kunafa in Duhok, North of Iraq. The destruction was carried out by a heavily armed force affiliated with the ruling faction of a political party in the Region, despite the business being fully licensed and operating under an official contract with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).

According to reports widely shared by journalist Steven Nabil, ANB SAT, and additional local sources, the land on which the business was established was previously an abandoned garbage dump—unused and unclaimed. The young Assyrian Christian owner, Ruben, invested his resources to clean the land, build a successful enterprise, and create employment for 14 local youth. Instead of being encouraged, his project was brutally demolished without warning, legal justification, or due process.

In an emotional video appeal to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Ruben stated:

“If you cannot find us a solution… then the land is yours, and the homeland is yours. I have been humiliated, and I saw my death before my eyes.”

ANCA stresses that this assault is not merely a dispute over a restaurant. It is a direct attack on the dignity, rights, and safety of the Indigenous Assyrian people. This act reflects a pattern of systemic abuses facing minorities under the pretext of “coexistence,” while their properties, livelihoods, and identity are gradually eroded.

Demolishing a legally sanctioned business to satisfy the interests of powerful individuals sends a dangerous and destabilising message—one that undermines the rule of law, discourages investment, and drives indigenous Christian communities closer to extinction in their ancestral homeland.

The Assyrian National Council – Australia urgently calls for:

1. An independent and immediate call for a UN special rapporteur review into the destruction of Ruben’s business and the conduct of the security forces involved.

2. Accountability from the KRG, including the dismissal, prosecution, and public exposure of all officials and individuals responsible.

3. International diplomatic pressure from Australia, the United Nations, and global human rights bodies to protect the indigenous Assyrian community from political intimidation, property seizures, and forced displacement.

4. Guarantees of legal and physical protection for Assyrian citizens, including the establishment of mechanisms to prevent future abuses and ensure equal treatment under the law.

This incident is a litmus test of the Region’s claims to protect diversity, coexistence, and minority rights. Destroying the life’s work of a young Assyrian entrepreneur, without legal grounds, reveals a troubling reality that cannot be disguised by political rhetoric.

The Assyrian National Council – Australia affirms its unwavering commitment to defending the rights, dignity, and survival of the Assyrian people in their homeland and calls upon the international community to stand firmly against these violations.

Assyrian National Council – Australia