Efforts Urged to Safeguard Iraq’s Religious Minorities Amid Persistent Challenges
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The plight of religious minorities in Iraq remains a pressing issue, as highlighted by a recent parliamentary report urging both UK and Iraqi authorities to take decisive action. Despite ISIS’s territorial defeat, communities such as Christians and Yazidis continue to struggle with insecurity and economic hardships.
The comprehensive report, spanning 28 pages, was released by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) in collaboration with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) UK and BYU Law. The findings come after a fact-finding mission to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) in February, where representatives engaged with governmental and religious leaders as well as minority community members.
In light of Iraq’s predominantly Muslim population of 42 million, the report highlights that non-Muslim minorities, including Christians, Yazidis, and Sabean-Mandaeans, now constitute a mere 3% due to historical conflicts and persecution.
In 2025, Iraq was ranked 19th on Open Doors’ World Watch List, identifying it as a challenging environment for Christians and other minority groups.
Jim Shannon MP, chair of the APPG FoRB, emphasized the importance of their visit for understanding the conditions faced by faith communities and human rights issues in the region. The report documents both advances and persistent obstacles for these minorities.
While the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is commended for fostering coexistence, the report underscores unresolved issues, including the Sinjar Agreement’s incomplete execution, ongoing Yazidi genocide trauma, and insufficient accountability for ISIS crimes.
The KRG’s initiatives, such as backing displacement camps, providing land for community infrastructure, and supporting social initiatives, are recognized as vital for minority communities. These efforts are especially valued by Christians who find relative safety in the region compared to other parts of Iraq.
Church leaders like Patriarch Mar Awa III and Archbishop Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf have voiced concerns about economic pressures forcing emigration, particularly among the youth.
Resilience is evident in Ankawa, a Christian-majority area in Erbil, where there is a notable growth of educational and healthcare projects initiated by Archbishop Bashar Warda, including Mar Qardakh International School and Maryamana Hospital.
The Catholic University in Erbil epitomizes community-led recovery, fostering mutual respect among its diverse student body.
The Yazidi community’s plight remains a grave concern, with testimonies at Yazda in Duhok revealing the lingering impact of ISIS atrocities, including the discovery of numerous mass graves. Despite 350,000 Yazidis still being displaced, militia activities and slow reconstruction efforts impede their return to Sinjar.
Encouragement for international support is echoed throughout the report, calling on the UK Government to bolster diplomatic efforts and strengthen accountability measures for ISIS crimes. It highlights the need for sustained support for displaced populations and economic opportunities to reduce migration.
The report also urges the Iraqi federal government to enhance security in Mosul and Baghdad, address militia disarmament in Sinjar, and ensure accountability for ISIS atrocities. It stresses the importance of resolving budget disputes with the Kurdistan Regional Government to facilitate development and support displaced minorities.
While the KRG has demonstrated commendable efforts to support coexistence, the report advocates for continued attention to hate speech, financial support for displaced communities, and employment opportunity expansion.
Despite the relative stability in the Kurdistan region, the report warns that unresolved security, political, and economic challenges continue to threaten the future of Iraq’s religious minorities.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
