10th February, 2016
Christians boycotted a conference on "the protection of peaceful coexistence" held at the Iraqi Parliament on Sunday, in protest at the failure of such talks to translate into concrete actions.
Chaldean Patriarch Raphael Louis I told local media: "What need is there in participating in meetings like this and repeating the formulas that give the title to the conference if then one does not see initiatives and changes in concrete terms?"
Organised under the patronage of the presidency of the parliament and of the Sunni Council for Religious Facilities (Waqf), the conference – which politicians, diplomats and ministers of the Iraqi government attended – was also boycotted by members of other religious monirity groups including the Yazidis and Mandaeans.
The Chaldean Patriarch recently appealed to government authorities and political and religious leaders to denounce the continuing legal discrimination and sectarian bullying being suffered by Christians.
"We met with government officials, and paid a visit to some of the Islamic religious authorities to talk about what we have in common, with regards to our faiths and the life we share in this land," he wrote in the appeal, sent to Agenzia Fides. "During these meetings, we assured our loyalty to Iraq, which is our country, and we do not seek revenge, we want to live in peace with all Iraqis. Unfortunately, none of their promises has become reality".
– DAVID ADAMS (with Agenzia Fides)
