Christian Alliance Says Migration Ministry Should Go to Soyana Bloc
Jawhar said the portfolio was a legitimate entitlement of Christians, reflecting the votes cast by citizens, and emphasized that political parties must respect voters' choices rather than impose their will on the Christian community.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Secretary of the Christian Alliance in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region has called on Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to allocate the Ministry of Migration and Displacement to a Christian representative from the Soyana bloc, warning that failing to do so would violate the Constitution.
On Monday, Ano Jawhar, Secretary of the Christian Alliance in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, in a press conference, expressed support for the government's efforts to reactivate state institutions but stressed that Christian representation in the new cabinet must be addressed by assigning the ministry to a representative of the Soyana bloc.
Jawhar said the portfolio was a legitimate entitlement of Christians, reflecting the votes cast by citizens, and emphasized that political parties must respect voters' choices rather than impose their will on the Christian community.
He noted that the Soyana bloc won three of the five parliamentary seats reserved for Christians, arguing that its electoral success should be respected in allocating the ministerial portfolio.
Jawhar warned that appointing a minister through political or personal agreements rather than respecting the electoral results would be unlawful and unconstitutional.
He reaffirmed the Christian Alliance's support for Prime Minister al-Zaidi and his government in appointing a Christian representative from the Soyana bloc as minister of migration and displacement.
The alliance secretary also emphasized that Christians are an indigenous community in Iraq and should enjoy the same rights and entitlements as other communities. He rejected attempts by individuals or political parties to monopolize Christian representation or undermine the community's rights.
Jawhar further criticized individuals who describe themselves as independent while allegedly maintaining links to political parties, accusing them of using claims of independence to deny Christians what he considers their rightful representation in the new government.
In a separate part of his remarks, Jawhar thanked President Masoud Barzani for what he described as his longstanding defense of Christians' rights in the Kurdistan Region.
He said President Barzani had consistently supported equal rights for Christians and opposed attempts to undermine their security, peaceful coexistence, and entitlements.
Jawhar added that President Barzani's stance would remain in the memory of Christians for generations and would not be forgotten.