Assyrian Democratic Organization Page 2 of 2 The nearly non-existent Assyrian and Christian representation in the government. Only those who are absolutely loyal to the Syrian Government are allowed to be a part of the Syrian government. The constant abductions and killings of Christians in Syria. Despite, their small numbers, yet, the majority of the. people kidnapped for ransom in Syria today are Christians.  All the ethnic and religious groups in Syria are protected by their own militias or the government forces, not to mention the funding- and political backing these groups are receiving from regional and international powers. However, Syrian Christians are not armed and do not have their own militias, which leads them to be a Vulnerable Minority in Syria. The Syrian Government continues to use Christian neighborhoods and towns as a military base to attack surrounding.Muslims. This leads to retaliations and adverse shelling of Christian towns, where the civilians are being killed. Recently, the government began to place its tanks next to Monasteries using them as shields while attacking surround Muslim towns. The Syrian Government attacks Christian neighborhoods and towns, and blames the attack and victims on the opposition forces. This same tactic is also being copied and employed by al-Qaeda linked terrorist groups. The following are some suggestions of what could. be done to help protect the existence of the Assyrian and Christian minorities in Syria, and prevent violence against them: Formation of a dennocratic civil state, with a constitution that guarantees and protects the rights of all citizens where all SyrianS are treated as equal regardless of faith or ethnicity, and recognizing the multi-ethnic and multi-religious diversity in Syria.  Correcting the Personal Status Laws in Syria to treat Christians as equals to Muslims  Ensuring proper government representation for Assyrians and Christian Minorities.  The UN and its affiliated organizations must use their power to pressure the Syrian government to stop using Christian towns and neighborhoods as a military base to launch its attacks on surrounding areas. Protecting plates of Worship and not making them part of the conflict hUNI-icl i s affili d organitions must do all—that is in their power to help protect the Vulnerable Assyrian and Christian Minority as well as all Syrian citizens. This could be done by creating safe havens for minorities or by placing peace keeping forces in minority areas to help protect the religious minorities.

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