European Syriac Union Madame Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honor to address you at this assembly on behalf of the [inaudible], also known as the Assyrian-Arameans-Chaldean-Syriac people. We are one of humanity’s oldest people, and I stand here not only as a representative, but also as a grandson of survivors of those who carry both wounds and loss of dignity and endurance. For many minorities in Syria and Iraq and the wider Middle East, trust in institutions has been weakened by decades of trauma. Unacknowledgement of suffering and fear of being erased, the deepest wound of my people is the genocide of Sayfo in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Recognition of Sayfo is not only about history, it’s about dignity, identity, and equal citizenship today. The massacres against different minorities taking place in Syria are equally undermining trust. Minorities are not guests in their nations they are helping to build. They are an indigenous community that have shaped civilization, preserved knowledge, and strengthened social cohesion throughout history. Sustainable peace in Syria and Iraq requires that their voices are central, peace-building, transitional justice, and nation-building process. To achieve this, I respectfully propose these six concrete measures. Official recognition of Sayfo genocide in 1915: member states of UN bodies should formally recognize Sayfo genocide as this is essential for historical justice, minority protection, and reconciliation in Syria and Iraq. Inclusion of Assyrian history and language in national education systems, school and public education, school teach history of Assyrians, including Sayfo, preserve Syriac language, the Aramaic language, the language of Jesus Christ.

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