Save the Mandaeans of Iraq
On Sunday the 19th of April 2009, three Mandaean jewelers were massacred by gunmen in their jewellery shops in the Altobechi area of Baghdad, Iraq. This occurred during the mid-morning hours. The assailants used pistols with silencers. Three others were badly injured in this attack and are still in serious condition.
Mandaeans, whose religion and culture are indigenous to Iraq, trace their religious ancestry back thousands of years. We at Direct Aid Iraq are concerned not only that the killing of Mandaeans is systematic, but also that it has become a silent genocide: the future of Iraqi Mandaeans and their culture is imperiled, and the world is unaware. We urge everyone concerned with human rights to help raise consciousness about this very real threat, to condemn it, and to advocate for international protections. Please read on to learn more about the threats facing Mandaeans in Iraq and the urgent recommendations and appeal for help that follows.
The April 19th murder of three jewelers is a continuation of ongoing attacks against Mandaeans, including the killing of three Mandaeans in their family’s store in a busy market in the Al-Sha’ab district of Baghdad. In this incident, which occurred on the 8th of September 2008, an 8 year old boy, along with his father and uncle were slaughtered together; each had several bullets in his head. Many children have been kidnapped and many women raped with inadequate response from the police and Iraqi government.
Including the above noted crimes, the recorded incidents against Mandaeans since 2003 stand at 167 killings, 275 kidnappings, and 298 assaults and forced conversion to Islam. Some include more than one member of a family.
The Mandaean Supreme Council in Iraq has tried several times to bring to the attention of the Iraqi government that the Mandaeans as well as other minorities are continuously targeted and attacked, however their cries have been in vain and no true actions have been taken.
Out of a community of 60,000-70,000 in Iraq before 2003 only 5,000 remain. 85% of our community are either refugees or are seeking refuge, and are mainly in Syria and Jordan.
Mandaeans, like other religious minorities in Iraq, have not benefited from the recent supposed improvement in security. The killings, kidnappings, attacks, looting, and demands for ransom are continuing at an alarming rate, while the refugees, after years of living in the harshest of conditions, are still in limbo.
We, the undersigned, condemn these serious crimes, and demand the following:
1. that an independent investigation be undertaken urgently to look into these and all other atrocities against the Mandaeans;
2. that the Iraqi government act immediately to find the criminals, expose the organizations behind these crimes, and bring justice to the victims;
3. that the Iraqi Government act to establish the Minorities Security Council under international observation which instates a system of protection for Mandaeans and all other Iraqi religious and ethnic minorities;
4. that the international community intervene according to international law and the United Nations Charter, to protect and secure the rights of the ethnic and religious minorities as well as the other indigenous peoples of Iraq. In particular we ask the international community to take immediate steps to stop the destruction of the Mandaean people and their culture, as well as find a collective durable solution to their desperate situation.
The Mandaeans as a people are in danger of extinction in their own homeland. They call out for your help. The international community must stand up and save the Mandaeans of Iraq. We ask you all to help us stop these grave atrocities and to bring peace and security to all native peoples of Iraq.
The Mandaean Associations Union
The Mandaean Human Rights Group
The Mandaean Crisis International
Najlaa A. AL-Nashi/ Direct aid Iraq
