Conference on
The alarming situation and persecution of Aramean Christians
Enschede (13-5-2016) – De Aramese beweging voor mensenrechten organiseert samen met EU-parlementariër Annie Schreijer-Pierik een conferentie over de vervolgende Arameeërs in Syrië en Iraq. De nood is hoog en de situatie van de Arameeërs is schrijnend. Uit Iraq (Mosul) hebben wij uitgenodigd Aartsbischop Nicodemus Daoud Matti Sharaf en uit Syrië (Homs/Al Qaryatain) hebben wij uitgenodigd pastoor Abuna Zuhri. Zij komen hun bijzondere verhaal vertellen in het Europees Parlement om meer aandacht en hulp te vragen voor de vervolgde en onderdrukte Arameeërs in het Midden-Oosten.
Het hele programma is hieronder opgenomen:
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
16.30 – 18.30 h
European Parliament in Brussels, Room ASP 3 E 2.
16:30 Welcome by Annie Schreijer-Pierik, MEP and by György Hölvényi, MEP and Jan Olbrycht, MEP Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Relations and Interreligious Dialogue of the EPP Group
16:35 Presentation of the Human Rights Report 2015 of the Aramean Movement for Human Rights (ABM) of the Netherlands Aziz Beth Aho, ABM President and other ABM Board Members
16:45 Testimonies of three Aramean victims of persecution and discrimination:
- The fate of the Christians of Mosul. An entire diocese exiled by the “Islamic State” terrorist group His Eminence Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul in Iraq.;
- Father Zuhri Khazaal, Syriac Orthodox priest who liberated Aramean and other hostages from ISIS captivity in Syria;
17:25 Severiyos Aydin, President of Aramaic Relief international, which provides humanitarian aid to refugees in Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.
17:35 The persecution of Aramean Christians and the process of Genocide, Anthonie Holslag, Dutch Genocide scientist (University of Amsterdam, University of Utrecht)
Discussion
17:45 “I witnessed their life, flight and expulsion: Christians and minorities in the Middle East” Arnold Karskens, Dutch War Correspondent, Journalist and Author
17:50 The response of international organizations to the dire plight of Aramean Christians Johny Messo, President of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) WCA, ngo – special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC)
17:55 Discussion with panel of speakers, MEPs and other participants.
18:25 Concluding remarks Annie Schreijer-Pierik, Dutch Member of the European Parliament (CDA).
Interpretation in English, French, German, Dutch and Italian will be provided.