Honourable members of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, thank you for having me here today.
On behalf of the Assyrian Society of Canada, I would like to commend Canada for its efforts to aid Iraqi refugees. This work is greatly appreciated and a shining example of Canada's positive contributions on the global stage. As Canadians, we are fortunate to have a democratic country that makes an effort to solicit input from its citizens on matters such as this.
To begin, it is helpful to resolve an important issue that, if left unresolved, can sometimes lead to confusion. As a byproduct of a rich and ancient heritage, the Assyrians have come to be identified by many names over the years. Various names such as Chaldeans, ChaldoAssyrians or Syriacs all refer to the same indivisible people, hereafter referred to as ChaldoAssyrians. Accordingly, these different names should not be allowed to act as an impediment to the understanding and resolution of the situation of ChaldoAssyrians.
Furthermore, it may also be noticed that many refer to ChaldoAssyrians in Iraq as simply Iraqi Christians. This is unfortunate, as that term does not take into account the ethic identity of the ChaldoAssyrians and only emphasizes their religious affiliation, despite the fact that 95% of Christians in Iraq are actually of ChaldoAssyrian ethnicity. ChaldoAssyrians possess a different language, ethnicity, culture, and heritage from those of the neighbouring Arab or Kurdish populations.
Since the fall of the previous government, the ChaldoAssyrian population in Iraq has decreased by approximately 20% to 25%. This information is based on U.S. Department of State reports that upwards of 200,000 have fled as non-Muslim minorities. Department of State also indicates in its religion freedoms report that the population in 2003 was approximately one million. Such a rapid decline in population will result in an Iraq devoid of any meaningful ChaldoAssyrian population and can only be described as ethno-religious cleansing.
It is important to note the ChaldoAssyrians and other minorities have endured and persevered through previous phases of persecutions, wars, and sanctions. To note that these same people are now fleeing, whether becoming refugees or internally displaced persons, is a testimony to the incredible pressures they face over and above the hardships faced by the Iraqis.
Despite these pressures, the ChaldoAssyrian population in Iraq still significantly outweighs the number of refugees in surrounding countries. Without appropriate and immediate intervention, a full-scale exodus could ensue. The Assyrian Society of Canada therefore recommends that Canada prioritize preventing ChaldoAssyrians from becoming refugees through aid that would maintain the ChaldoAssyrian IDPs in Iraq.
Most of the ChaldoAssyrian IDPs first opt to head north when fleeing major cities. This is a reflection of the reality that most ChaldoAssyrian Christians originate from the north, particularly the Nineveh Plains. The Nineveh Centre for Research and Development, a local NGO and think tank located in the Nineveh Plains, used ration card registries and petrol station gas ration registries to enumerate the number of IDP families that arrived between January 1, 2006, and the end of September 2006--a period of nine months. They tabulated an influx of 3,859 families that were registered. This does not include a large number of families that did not register out of fear.
The Nineveh Plains, comprising the fertile lands that lay north, east, and southeast of Mosul, is singularly the largest destination point for Christian IDPs. While exact numbers are difficult to provide, even the refugees interviewed tell of their effort to head there first, and also to Dohuk and Irbil governorates.
In early 2005, the ISDP published its first needs assessment in the Nineveh Plains. At that time, approximately $236 million was estimated for the development needs of the region. The Nineveh Plains was neglected by Saddam due to the lack of support for minorities living there. The economic hardships from Saddam's wars further ensured the lack of development there. Since the fall of Saddam, neither Arab nor Kurdish authorities have been committed to ensuring equitable development and redress for the Nineveh Plains. It was unable to viably support its population base before the IDP influx. Now, with thousands of families arriving there, it is completely destitute.
It follows that the Assyrian Society of Canada strongly believes that focusing aid on IDPs in the Nineveh Plains can prevent the disproportionate number of ChaldoAssyrian refugees. This is not to say we are opposed to accepting Iraqi refugees in this great country. In fact, the Assyrian Society of Canada is thankful for all the efforts made to accept and accommodate refugees, especially those who are considered to be individuals at risk. We simply accept the fact that the most feasible and efficient method of providing assistance is to help prevent the creation of refugees in the first place.
Focus should be placed on securing basic needs such as homes, potable water, access to food, education, and health care. This targeted aid will not only prevent IDPs from becoming refugees but will represent an essential and long-overdue humanitarian response.
Short-term aid needed includes non-food item relief along with essential staple foods to ensure that basic nutritional requirements are met. Mid-term efforts could then focus on employment, infrastructure, and essential services such as health and education.
Canada has the opportunity to ensure that the road to a new Iraq is not paved with ethno-religious cleansing of the ChaldoAssyrians. This represents a chance to ensure that pluralism remains alive and well in Iraq through the critical intervention to aid ChaldoAssyrian IDPs in the Nineveh Plains. Modest efforts that can be implemented today will make a difference overnight.