KRG Minister Advocates for Christian and Yazidi Rights at Religious Freedom Summit
Minister Jawhar urged the U.S. government and other nations to pressure Iraq to address the demands of Christians.

Feb. 4, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Ano Jawhar, the Minister of Transport and Communications for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), on Monday participated in the International Religious Freedom Summit held at the U.S. Capitol, where he joined leaders and ministers from around the world to discuss pressing issues related to religious freedom and minority rights.
In his speech, Minister Jawhar addressed the situation of Christians, Yazidis, and other minority groups, particularly in the Nineveh Plains, where militia groups have been causing significant disruption and posing a serious threat to these communities.
He described how these militias have been stifling Christian populations in Iraq and the Nineveh Plain, exacerbating their challenges in the region.
As a representative of the Christian community in the KRG Cabinet and Secretary-General of the largest Christian coalition in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, Jawhar emphasized the importance of maintaining peaceful coexistence.
He highlighted the KRG's open-door policy, which welcomes all communities, and emphasized the region’s success in providing a safe haven for Christians. He pointed to the remarkable growth of Christian places of worship in the region, noting that prior to 2003, there were only two churches in the town of Ankawa, whereas today there are more than 17 churches and monasteries, illustrating the strong spirit of coexistence in Kurdistan.
At the conclusion of his address, Jawhar called on the U.S. government, represented by officials from the U.S. Department of State and other attending nations, to pressure the Iraqi government to meet the demands of Christians as outlined by the Christian coalition.
These demands include the withdrawal of militias from Christian towns and villages in the Nineveh Plains, a revision of Iraq's election laws to ensure that only Christians vote for the Christian parliamentary seat, and the implementation of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which would promote democratic practices and peaceful coexistence in Nineveh and other parts of Iraq.
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has long been recognized for its commitment to religious tolerance, serving as a sanctuary for various minority communities, particularly Christians and Yazidis, who have faced persecution in other parts of Iraq. The KRG's efforts to protect these communities, along with its policies of inclusivity and coexistence, have made it a beacon of stability and peace in a region often marred by conflict.