Iraq needs further security support from Germany

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Religious minorities still don’t feel safe After his recent visit to Iraq, Konstantin Mascher, vice chairman of ojcos-foundation, reports: “The citizens of Iraq urgently ask for continued German efforts concerning safety. Numerous authorities from churches, civil and political institutions expressed their concern about the security situation in the country.”

We are grateful for Germany’s wide-ranging involvement in Iraq and urge the German Parliament to continue its commitment: – to further guarantee the stabilizing presence of German security forces – to expand training of local security forces – extensive engagement in humanitarian aid and reconstruction On the ground, it can be seen that ISIS is essentially defeated by the military on the surface but continues to operate underground and can regain its strength at any time. Should Germany withdraw, those radical forces that ruined the country might try to fill the vacuum and endanger the so far granted safety. For the people of Iraq the presence of German security forces is a sign of hope and contributes fundamentally to the country’s safety and future. We as ojcos-foundation demand a continuation of this presence as well as intensive diplomatic and humanitarian commitment for the future of the religious minorities in Iraq, in order to prevent a further uprooting of the people in their homeland and migration movements lastingly. “During my trip, this demand was given to me again and again: We want to stay in our homeland. Will you help us in Germany in this?”, said David Mueller, political advocate for religious freedom from ojcos-foundation. Since 2004, the ojcos foundation has been supporting projects and activities worldwide that help to alleviate hardship and help – especially for self-help – directly to those who need it most. Since 2017, it has been working to ensure that religious minorities in Iraq have the prospect of a reconciled life in dignity and security. To achieve this goal, it brings together various actors from politics, the church and civil society.