Iraq’s Supreme Court Approves Christian Seats in Parliament

Washington, D.C. (June 1, 2010) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court approved the results of the March 7^th election, including five Christian seats in the Iraqi parliament.

The election results come after months of setbacks and signify greater representation for the Christian minority in the Iraqi parliament – a first step to equal rights. In total, 14 seats out of the 325-seat legislature are held by non-Muslims, five of which are Christians. In comparison, Christians held two seats last term.

The delayed ratification of votes was attributed to allegations of fraud and corruption within the Baghdad province in the initial counting process. Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) stated that the Christian and Baghdad results fall under one constituency.

As a result of this delay, the Iraqi government failed to adequately respond to sectarian attacks targeting Christians, including the May 2 bomb attack on buses carrying Christian students in northern Iraq. This incident further indicated that Christian representation in the Iraqi Parliament is imperative for the security of Iraqi Christians.

Yonadam Kanna, an Iraqi Parliament member holding one of the five Christian seats, and the Secretary General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement, is hopeful that the additional Christian seats will offer opportunities for Iraqi Christians. In a phone interview with ICC from Baghdad, Mr. Kanna said, “First of all, in Iraq we have run for rule of order and security throughout the country. In addition, we must find job opportunities and put an end to discrimination policies. We would like to give compensation for those who fled [Iraq] to enable them to come back – to compensate them for what has been stolen or what they have lost. Some refugees from Europe and America may even come back when it is safe and when there are job opportunities in the country. In a few months to one year it should be safer for them to return.

Mr. Kanna continued, “We will now be in a much better legal condition, and much more respected than we were under the persecution and discrimination policies of Saddam times. We are full with hope that all together we will be able to do much more than we had achieved in the last seven years.”

Aidan Clay, ICC Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “We are hopeful that the elected Christian representatives in parliament will be a true voice for the plight of the Iraqi Christian community. More than half of Iraq’s Christians have fled the country, and thousands have been killed since the war erupted in 2003. Christian representatives may now be in a better position than ever before to battle in parliament for the security that is needed for Iraq Christians to feel safe again in their homeland. On the other hand, if they fail to increase security, we may soon see the extinction of Christianity in Iraq. It is a critical time in the Iraqi Christian’s history, and our prayers are with the elected Christian parliament leaders who have a difficult task before them.”