Police arrest Assyrian Christians trying to protect their land in Iraqi Kurdistan

Human rights defenders have been warning about "attempts to occupy land in Christian villages" for several years, "even those who have been tried in court in favor of Christianity".

In Iraqi Kurdistan, Assyrian Christians from the village of Dadersh were victims of an attempted land grab by a group of supporters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

The village's Christian mayor, Zya Minas, along with Mr. Zaya, who was filming the incident, were assaulted and later arrested by police, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

The attack was broadcast on social media, including on the profile of human rights activist Muna Yaku. Defenders have been warning about "attempts to occupy land in Christian villages" for several years, "even those who have been tried in court in favor of Christianity".

CSW Founding Chairman Mervyn Thomas said:

“CSW calls on the Kurdistan Regional Government to immediately and unconditionally release these men and ensure that those responsible for the attempted land confiscations and assaults on residents are held accountable. »

MC

Image credit: Shutterstock.com / Sebastian Castelier