Report on the visit of the members of the Politburo of the Assyria Liberation Party and Assyrian activists to Iraq

From March 30 to April 12 2025, members of the Political Bureau of the Assyria Liberation Party and Assyrian independent activists of Europe visited historical homeland for the purpose of solidarity and participation in the New Year events planned in various cities of Iraq. A huge event for the Assyrian people was the recognition of the Assyrian-Babylonian New Year as an official holiday of the Iraqi state. On behalf of the Assyria Liberation Party and the members of the delegation, we express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Government of Iraq in particular the Ministry of Culture of Iraq for making this decision, which is very important for the recognition and peaceful coexistence of the peoples of Iraq.

On April 31 members of the delegation joined the unofficial part of the New Year celebration at the headquarters of the Dohuk branch of the Assyrian Democratic Movement Zowaa.

April 1, 2025 Assyria Liberation Party members and activists from Europe participated in a nationwide march that took place in Nohadra (Duhok). This year the turnout was unusually high, especially considering that thousands of people joined from abroad. Unfortunately some racist and hostile elements, alarmed by the large number of people and the assembled Assyrians, carried out an organized vile attack using bladed weapons, wounding two of our brothers. The public witnessed how the security forces failed to properly prevent the attack, and only thanks to the vigilance and reaction of several marchers who were able to neutralize the attacker, a tragedy was avoided.

Assyria Liberation Party strongly condemn this heinous attack and wish a speedy recovery to our wounded brothers and sisters.

On April 7 Assyria Liberation Party members participated in celebrations in Erbil organized by the Assyrian Culture Department and held several meetings with prominent figures in Assyrian culture and art. From ALP side would like to express our gratitude to head of Department Mr. Kaldo Ramzi and the staff for preserving and developing the national culture and traditions of the Assyrian people.

Earlier, ALP members and Assyrian activists in Europe met with William Benyamin, a member of the Babylonian Movement and a group of Assyrian youth. During the meeting, we received an official invitation to attend government events dedicated to the celebration of the Assyrian New Year in Baghdad on April 10. I would like to note the important role of William Benyamin and the Babylonian Movement in lobbying this issue in the government structures of Iraq. A great event for us was the opportunity to meet in Baghdad with one of the prominent leaders of the Babylonian Movement Rayan al-Kaldani. The leader of the movement warmly welcomed the delegation at the movement's headquarters. During the meeting, issues related to the future of Iraq the situation on the Nineveh Plain and in particular the future of the Assyrian people both in Iraq and beyond were discussed.

That same evening, Assyria Liberation Party members and Assyrian Europe activists met with the Patriarch of the Ancient Oriental Church of the East Mar Gewargis Yonan and then joined a festive event organized by the Iraqi Ministry of Culture. The event was attended by various government officials and representatives of almost all church denominations in Iraq. The head of the Ancient Oriental Church of the East Mar Gewargis addressed the guests and organizers of the event with a welcoming speech and thanked the Iraqi government for recognizing the Assyro-Babylonian New Year as an official holiday in the country.

On April 11, at the invitation of young Iraqi activists, APL members and Independent Assyrian Activists of Europe visited Ancient Babylon after which we took part in cultural events organized by the city administration of Babylon.

Assyria Liberation Party sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this endeavor and also thank all our friends for the meetings and the opportunity to participate in the events listed above.

Assyria Liberation Party

Independent Assyrian Activists of Europe

16.04.2025