TODAY - Is There a U.S. Policy For Protecting Ancient Religious Communities in Iraq?

From: The Honorable Gus M. Bilirakis
Sent By: tina.ramirez@mail.house.gov
Date: 7/13/2010

July 13, 2010

Please Join the International Religious Freedom Caucus and the

Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus for a

Staff Briefing on Iraq’s Vulnerable Religious Minorities

3:00-5:00 p.m.

July 13

340 Cannon House Office Building

Dear Colleague:

Please join the International Religious Freedom Caucus and the Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus for a special opportunity to discuss the state of Iraq’s vulnerable ethno-religious minorities with experts in U.S. policy and religious freedom. 

According to the 2010 annual report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom:

“The religious freedom situation in Iraq remains grave, particularly for the country’s smallest, most vulnerable religious minorities. The violence, forced displacement, discrimination, marginalization, and neglect suffered by members of these groups threaten these ancient communities’ very existence in Iraq. These minorities, which include Chaldo-Assyrians and other Christians, Sabean Mandaeans, and Yazidis, continue to experience targeted violence, receive inadequate official protection or justice, and suffer discrimination.  Since 2003, many have fled to neighboring countries, where they represent a disproportionately high percentage of registered Iraqi refugees.”

We urge you to join us to hear from the following experts about the unique needs and challenges facing minority faiths in Iraq and to discuss what more can be done to promote and protect their religious freedom rights through U.S. policy.  Panelists include:

PANEL I:

Archbishop Avak Asadourian - Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq, General Secretary of the Council of Christian Leaders of Iraq

Dr. Layla Alroomi – Spokesperson, Mandaean Human Rights Group

Mr. Zirian Shammo - Representative, Yezidi Community

PANEL II:

Michael Corbin – Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

PANEL III:

Nina Shea – Director, Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom

Jason Gluck – Senior Rule of Law Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace

Christopher Blanchard – Middle East policy Analyst, Congressional Research Service

This event is open to the public.  For more information and to RSVP, please contact Tina Ramirez at tina.ramirez@mail.house.gov, Elyse Anderson at elyse.anderson@mail.house.gov, Taylor Share at taylor.share@mail.house.gov, Stephanie Hammond at Stephanie.hammond@mail.house.gov, or Blake Hulnick at blake.hulnick@mail.house.gov.

                                                                        Sincerely,

s/ Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis                                                                     

Member, International Religious Freedom Caucus

s/ Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II

Co-Chair, International Religious Freedom Caucus 

s/ Rep. Trent Franks

Co-Chair, International Religious Freedom Caucus 

s/ Rep. Anna Eshoo

Co-Chair, Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus

s/ Rep. Frank Wolf

Co-Chair, Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus