Dutch Parliament Debates Aid Package for Assyrians in Iraq

Nove. 17, 07

The Hague (AINA) -- The Dutch Parliament held a debate on Wednesday on the status of minorities in Iraq, particularly Assyrians (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs). The debate was spearhead by the Christian Union (CU) party and the Reformed Political Party (SGP), who have requested the Dutch government to actively monitor and supported religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq.

In response to questions from members of parliament (MPs) from CU and SGP, the Dutch foreign minister, M. Verhagen, stated that it is already the policy of the Netherlands to support minority groups in Iraq and he cited the Iraqi police learning program, which supports ethnic and religious minorities.

The MPs from CU and SGP asked the government to expand the support, specifically giving financial assistance to Assyrians in north Iraq, in the Nineveh Plains area where the population is predominantly Assyrians, and where Assyrian refugees fleeing Islamic violence in Baghdad come to. Assyrian churches and NGO's (non-governmental organizations) are doing their best but do not have the resources meet the needs of all of the refugees. MPs asked the Dutch government to send financial aid directly to Assyrians refugees. The vote is expected to be taken on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

According to Attiya Gamri Tunc, a Dutch Assyrian politician, "the Assyrians in the Netherlands are following this debate very closely" and are very concerned about the reaction of ministers Koenders and Verhagen, who have expressed their opposition to giving financial aid to Assyrians.

MP Voordewind (CU) is asking the Dutch government to study the question of establishing an Assyrian administrative area in the Nineveh Plains in north Iraq and special humanitarian support for this area.

MP van der Staaij (SGP) wants Dutch financial aid to be given specifically to Assyrians in the Nineveh Plains.

Assyrian International News Agency