For How long will the international community watch before it Acts to stop the genocide of the Mandaeans in Iraq

Another heinous crime against the Mandaeans of Iraq was committed on Saturday 19th of September 2009. This time is in Basra, Iraq. Two Young goldsmiths, Mr Farqad Faiq Authman and Mr. Muhand Qasim Abdul-Razzaq both in their twenties were massacred by four unmasked gun men using silenced guns and knives. After several bullets in their heads they were knifed down and left to die in their shops. The gunmen looted the shops and escaped. This happened in the early-morning hours in a crowded market and no one stood up to help them.

This is the most recent crime in the series of crimes against the Mandaeans in Iraq that happened in the last few months. The previous killing on the 2nd of September of Abdul Wahid AlBender and his family in their home in Baghdad Aljedida by armed men resulting in the killing of this elderly gentleman and the injuries of his wife .When his sons tried to defend themselves they are the ones that are arrested .Other recent incidents were the killing of Mr. We ‘am Abdul Nabi Lazem on the 6th of August in his shop in Iskan district of Baghdad. In the same way as the killing of three gold smith in Tobchi area few months ago and the killing of three goldsmiths and a child of 8years old before that in Shaib area. All professionally executed in busy shopping areas with security presence .

The Mandaeans are minority community that lived in Iraq for thousands of years. Out of a community of 50,000-60,000 before 2003 less than 5,000 remain inside Iraq. 85% of the community are either refugees or are seeking refuge and are mainly in Syria and Jordan as a result of targeted and sustained extreme religious hatred and violence.

We ask of you to act to stop this genocide against one of the oldest monotheistic communities in the Middle East. Their only crime is they are different in religion and ethnicity. We ask of the international community to stand up and force the Iraqi government to act to provide security and safety to the Iraqi minorities We the undersigned condemn these serious crimes and demand the following:
• That the IRAQI Government act immediately to stop the genocide against the Mandaeans and find the criminals and the organizations behind them and bring justice to the victims .
• That the Iraqi government instates a system of protection for the Mandaeans and Other Minorities in Iraq by establishing the minorities’ Security Council.
• That the international community intervenes to secure the rights of ethnic and religious minorities according to the UN and international laws.
• That the United States, Australia or the European Union should act immediately to accept the 1000 Mandaean refugee families in Syria collectively without delay and resettle them in one place to prevent the demise of this small peaceful community .
• The International community should take serious and active steps to stop the destruction of Mandaean people and their culture and find a durable solution to their desperate situation.

The Mandaeans are in danger of extinction in their home land. The international community must stand up and save the Mandaeans of Iraq. We ask you all to help stop these atrocities and to bring peace and security to The Iraqi Mandaeans.

The Mandaean Associations Union
The Mandaean Human Rights Group