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AAS delegates at United Nation 12th Session Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Assyrian Aid Society Iraq in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UN.

AAS participating, at the United Nations 12th Session Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is held each Spring at the United Nation New York. In 2012 Assyrian Aid Society Iraq participated in the 11th Session Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. This is the second forum that AAS has had the opportunity to participate since AAS-I was granted Special consultative status with the ECOSOC in 2011. Each year a theme is chosen and this year the special theme is “Review Year.”

AAS nominated five delegates for 2013 including Mr. Ashur S Eskrya, President of AAS Iraq, Mrs. Mona Malik, Vice President of AAS-America, Ms. Shoushan Tower, National & International officer AAS-Australia and two special guests Mr. Sheba Mando, President Assyrian National council Illinois & Mr. Nineb Lamassu, Research Assistant Cambridge University. All the delegates attended the Forum and represented the interest of Assyrian people living in Iraq.

AAS-Iraq was given the opportunity to deliver a speech on 21st May 2013 during the 12th session and Mrs. Mona Malik presented the statement. Additionally, all of the delegates represented our culture by wearing traditional Assyrian clothing to mark this special presentation. The topic chosen for this speech was on the Assyrian Culture. Consequently, AAS delegates received many expressions of welcome and praise from other indigenous groups. Indeed, it was a great moment for us and our nation.

A second speech was also delivered on 30th May 2013 during the 12th Session and Ms Shoushan Tower presented the statement. The topic chosen for this speech was on Assyrian aid Society-Iraq and its continued struggle in keeping up with its charitable work for the benefit of Assyrians living in Iraq. Warm wishes and congratulations were received from other indigenous groups. It was a great achievement for AAS to have been given a second opportunity to be able to voice our message at United Nation.

Taking part in these forums is to encourage further enquiries and studies to be made by the United Nation and its associated bodies in relation to issues affecting Assyrians of Iraq in order to improve the assistance provided to Assyrians and advance their interests so that our people can live freely and prosperously in Iraq.

We hope that our continued involvement in Forums such as this will promote awareness of the difficult situations encountered by Assyrians as the indigenous people of Iraq.