House Passes Resolution Supporting Chaldeans
From left: Elissa Slotkin, John James and John Moolenar
House Passes Resolution 554 Supporting Chaldeans and other Iraqi Minorities
By CN Staff
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday November 20, 2024, passed a bipartisan resolution calling for greater support for the human rights and dignity of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq, including the Chaldean community. The resolution, authored by Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and cosponsored by Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Rep. John James (R-Mich.), urges both the U.S. and international communities to prioritize the security, stability, and political representation of Iraq’s minority groups.
The resolution, which gained bipartisan support in the House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this year, underscores the importance of safeguarding the rights of Iraqi ethnic, religious, linguistic, and indigenous minorities.
“Michigan has been home for more than a century to a vibrant Iraqi community – the largest outside of the Middle East,” said Slotkin. “When I traveled to the Middle East as part of a Congressional Delegation in 2022, I met with Iraqi leaders to discuss the challenges faced by their communities and what the U.S. can do to help. I took what I heard back to D.C. and got to work on this resolution, which would put the House on record as supporting the human rights and dignity of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq. I’m grateful to the bipartisan group of Michiganders and other members who supported this bill.”
Slotkin’s resolution includes five key pillars:
The fundamental human right and dignity of the religious and ethnic minority communities of Iraq should be a policy priority of the United States and the international community.
The restoration of security, stability, and economic opportunity as well as the safe return of displaced indigenous peoples to their homeland should be a policy priority of the United States and the international community.
The restoration of homes, schools, churches, and other religious sites and community buildings should receive a specific and enduring budget allocation from the Iraqi Government as well as continued support from international aid donors.
The effective representation in the government of indigenous populations, including those who are displaced, is essential to restoring and upholding the rights of these communities.
The Secretary of State should support greater regional integration for minority groups in Iraq and promote opportunities for affected minority groups to achieve greater administrative autonomy within the federal structure of the Republic of Iraq.
Slotkin, a former CIA officer who served in Iraq during three military tours, has long been involved in Iraq policy, including efforts to combat ISIS at the National Security Council and Pentagon. In 2022, she visited Iraq as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation that included representatives from the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and Chaldean Community Foundation. The group met with leaders from Iraq’s Christian and Yazidi communities.
The resolution passed with strong bipartisan backing, reflecting widespread concern for the plight of Iraq’s vulnerable minorities. The group endorsing the resolution includes Michigan congressional members Rep. John Moolenaar, Rep. Lisa McClain, Rep. Jack Bergman, Rep. Dan Kildee, Rep. Haley Stevens, Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. John James. For more than a year, the Chaldean Community Foundation, along with other community advocates, has been working tirelessly with these lawmakers to ensure this important legislation stays alive.
Protecting minority groups in Iraq is crucial to ensuring the country’s long-term stability and peace. Religious and ethnic minorities, including Chaldeans, Yazidis, and other indigenous communities, have faced persecution, displacement, and violence for years, particularly at the hands of extremist groups like ISIS.
Their protection not only upholds fundamental human rights but also preserves Iraq’s rich cultural and religious diversity. Safeguarding these communities is essential for fostering an inclusive society, promoting national reconciliation, and strengthening the foundations of Iraq’s democratic governance. The support of international allies, including the United States, is vital in securing their safety, restoring their livelihoods, and ensuring they have a voice in the political future of their country.