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Australian Parliamentary Debate Focuses On Plight Of Assyrians

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  • Australian Parliamentary Debate Focuses On Plight Of Assyrians

    AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE FOCUSES ON PLIGHT OF ASSYRIANS
    Hermiz Shahen Secretary, Assyrian Universal Alliance-Australian Chapter

    Assyrian International News Agency
    May 31 2006

    (AINA) -- In a private members business session on Monday, 29 May 2006,
    in the house of representative of the Australian Federal Parliament
    and under the title of religious minorities Mr Allen Cadman MP.,
    member for Mitchel raised a motion with reference to the Republic of
    Turkey and its relations with the different Christian minorities in the
    area. Mr Cadman commended the Australian of Greek and Turkish origin
    for the peaceful and harmonious relationship they have established in
    Australia which is an example to all communities coming from older
    cultures, he requested the Turkish government as it moves towards
    joining the European Union as a full member to return private property
    to minority groups of all religious backgrounds, to permit r-opening
    of the Greek Orthodox Theological College on the island of Halke and
    to permit Christian denominations to operate seminaries of their own,
    wether Greek, Armenian or Syriac.

    Mr. Chris Bowen MP, member for prospect who raised the Assyrian
    Universal Alliance petition in the Australian Federal Parliament
    on May last year, calling on the Australian Government to urge the
    Iraqi Government to create a 'protected administrative region for the
    Assyrians', seconded the above motion and added his concerns about the
    rights of Christians in Iraq which he have spoken about previously in
    the house. Mr Bowen said, " It is hard to conceive that the position of
    Christians in Iraq has actually deteriorated since the fall of Saddam
    Hussein. As a member of the coalition of the willing, this government
    has an obligation to speak up for Christians in Iraq. I am sorry
    to say that the government's response has been less than adequate,
    and I used the forum of this motion to again call on the Minister
    for Foreign Affairs to make representations at the highest possible
    level to insure the protection of Assyrians, Chaldeans and Mandians
    in Iraq. The government also needs to be doing more in relation to
    providing save heaven for Christians who have left Iraq. I again call
    on the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to review
    the way her department handles applications for refugee status from
    Christians and Mandeans who have fled Iraq".

    On the Turkish issue Mr Bowen added, " It is also important for
    the future that the wrongs of the past are acknowledged. I believe
    the Assyrian people, among others, have a legitimate concern to
    insure that the terrible event of 1915 are properly acknowledged and
    commemorated. The Turkish people and the Assyrian people could then
    join together in the acknowledgement that we must all work together to
    insure that such event can never happen again-just as the Turkish and
    Australian people joined together in friendship after Gallipoli,..."

    To read the whole motion please click here. In the House of
    Representatives Hansard page choose 29 May 2006-05-31, and then go
    to page 23 "Private Members Business" Religious Minorities.

    On behalf of the Assyrian Universal Alliance-Australia Chapter and
    the Assyrian Australian community we would like to thank Mr. Chris
    Bowen MP, member for prospect for raising the Assyrian issue with
    the Australian Government, for his great determination, sincerity
    and outstanding effort to support the indigenous Assyrian rights in
    Iraq and for his dedication in serving the people of his electorate,
    which give us as Assyrians the citizens of this country; despite
    being citizen of many countries of the Middle East the pride to be
    known as Australians.
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