1996, Volume 2, No.1(5) page 30
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1996, Volume 2, No.1(5) page 30 |
ASSOCIATION
OF ASSYRO-CHALDEANS IN FRANCE
Working
group for minorities
(2nd
Session, 30 April-3 May 1996)
Subcommittee
for human rights in Geneva
Declaration
of Association of Assyro-Chaldeans in France
THE
SITUATION OF THE ASSYRIAN MINORITY IN TURKEY
The people lost in the history and scattered allover the Middle East world,
Assyrians, loyal citizens, never have been protected from persecution and
encroachment upon their fundamental rights since the fall of Nineveh
These days like in the past they suffer from the pressure of assimilation. The
policy of Turkization touches upon every aspect of the Assyrian life both in
term of ethnic identity and even in term of Assyrian patronymics.
Regarding religion, the liberty is badly in- fringed. The activity in
monasteries put under governmental control has to slow down.
Linguistically, the situation looks much more grave as the authorities try to
keep only national language going.
In the social and educational aspects, Assyrians suffer from total
discrimination for they have no schools, even elementary, nor other social
institutions at all. Educational centers are just prohibited.
The authorities pursue the policy
of Turkization of patronymic and toponymic names. Almost every Assyrian has to
get a Turkish name. All Assyrian inhabited area are put hard to face the policy
of ethnocide and ecocide as well. Cultural monuments and architectural beauties
are in ruins. Worship buildings and monuments are threatened with devastation.
People. have to leave the places round them. What must be done to preserve the
Assyrian cultural legacy'? What does the future hold in store for them'! Will
they be like a relic found in the Louvre or in Ankara? Alienation and
consequently the loss of originality lead to the loss of personal names and
surnames of the people.
Since 1975 the immigration of Assyrians to Western Europe has considerably in-
creased. Over 100,000 people have found refuge in France, Belgium, Germany,
Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria Norway, Denmark and else where.
ASSYRIAN
DEMANDS ARE:
Recognition
of ethnic identity of Assyrians according to 14 Chapter of the European
Convention on human rights, and to European Council resolutions which
recognize the existence of national minorities.
Restoration
of architectural and worship buildings and monuments of different Assyrian
confessions as well as authorization of new churches.
Recognition
of Aramaic or Syrian language which was used by Jesus in conformity with
inter- national diplomatic instruments signed and ratified by Turkey and in
line with 1992 Declaration of United Nations on minorities.
The
rights to create social establishments (public centers, dispensaries, etc.)
and public and cultural associations.
Abolition
of Turkization of toponymic and personal names of Assyrians.
Cessation
of persecution and victimization of Assyrians which cause them to look for
refuge.
In
conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we should like to know, if Assyrians should be
condemned to assimilation in Diaspora, or they would be granted the rights
to continue their existence in the lands of ancestors?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman
30
April 1996
Association
of Assyro-Chaldeans in France