Sydney: August 7, 2024
The Assyrian National Council-Australia strongly condemns the historical and ongoing acts of genocide perpetrated against the Assyrian people by the Ottoman Empire, Iraq, and extremist groups. These heinous acts have led to the systematic destruction of the Assyrian identity, culture, and population through massacres, forced displacements, and the obliteration of cultural heritage.
During the early 20th century, under Ottoman rule, the Assyrian population faced brutal massacres alongside the Armenians and Greeks. Known as the Assyrian Genocide or "Seyfo," hundreds of thousands of Assyrians were systematically exterminated, their villages destroyed, and their people forcibly displaced. This atrocity, however, has not received the international recognition it deserves, leaving a significant gap in historical justice.
In more recent history, the Assyrians have endured further atrocities. Between 1975 and 1988, over 200 Assyrian villages were destroyed by the Ba'ath regime in Iraq. The rise of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party led to deliberate attempts to erase the Assyrian identity through massacres, political executions, and forced displacement.
On August 7, 1933, in the town of Simele, the Iraqi Army, under the command of General Bakr Sidqi, orchestrated a brutal massacre that claimed the lives of thousands of Assyrians. This atrocity was part of a larger campaign aimed at terrorizing and eliminating the Assyrian population in Iraq. Men, women, and children were killed in cold blood, their homes destroyed, and their villages razed. The Simele Massacre stands as a stark reminder of the violent oppression faced by the Assyrians and the need for international recognition and justice.
The invasion of Mosul and the ancient Assyrian capital of Nineveh by ISIS in June 2014 marked another dark chapter for the Assyrians. ISIS forced Christians to choose between leaving or facing death, leading to mass displacement and the destruction of Assyrian cultural heritage. This included the desecration of churches, theft, and burning of properties, and the demolition of ancient Assyrian artifacts and sites. On February 23, 2015, ISIS attacked and destroyed approximately 35 Assyrian villages along the Khabur River in northeastern Syria, displacing over 10,000 Assyrians and killing many defenders of these villages.
Despite these overwhelming tragedies, the Assyrian Genocide has not been widely recognized. Turkey continues to deny the occurrence of these genocides, claiming no organized plan existed to exterminate the Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks. This denial obstructs justice and historical truth.
Call to Action
We call upon the international community to:
Recognize the Assyrian Genocide: Acknowledge the systematic extermination of Assyrians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide, alongside the Armenian and Greek genocides. Turkey must officially recognize the genocide perpetrated by the Ottomans during World War I.
Commemorate the Simele Massacre: Officially recognize and commemorate the Simele Massacre of 1933, where Iraqi forces brutally killed over six thousand Assyrians in a targeted campaign of violence. Iraq must recognize this massacre and the suffering inflicted upon the Assyrian community.
Support Assyrian Rights: Advocate for the rights of Assyrians to return to their ancestral lands, preserve their cultural heritage, and live in peace and security. Iraq should implement Article 125 of its constitution, which guarantees the administrative, political, cultural, and educational rights of the Assyrians and other minorities.
Educate and Raise Awareness: Promote education and awareness about the Assyrian Genocide and ongoing human rights violations against Assyrians to prevent future atrocities.
By acknowledging these historical injustices, we honour the memory of the victims and take a step towards justice and reconciliation. The Assyrian National Council-Australia stands firm in its commitment to advocate for the recognition and rights of the Assyrian people and calls on governments, international bodies, and civil society to join us in this Endeavor.
Contact: info@ancau.org
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