WEBVTT 00:01.090 --> 00:02.010 - [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, 00:02.010 --> 00:03.530 please welcome Ambassador-at-Large 00:03.530 --> 00:06.390 for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback 00:06.390 --> 00:09.223 and Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan. 00:12.470 --> 00:15.313 - Good morning, good morning. 00:16.350 --> 00:20.890 Well, you're already having an impact it appears. 00:20.890 --> 00:23.640 Reuters is reporting that an American pastor 00:23.640 --> 00:25.060 who's been detained in Turkey 00:25.060 --> 00:28.143 for nearly two years has been put out on house arrest. 00:30.551 --> 00:33.551 (assembly applauds) 00:39.980 --> 00:40.813 Yeah. 00:47.590 --> 00:48.423 Yeah. 00:55.700 --> 00:59.100 That's really good news. 00:59.100 --> 01:00.970 Now, that's Reuters reporting. 01:00.970 --> 01:04.000 We don't have confirmation on that. 01:04.000 --> 01:06.050 It is house arrest. 01:06.050 --> 01:07.750 There are specifics with it, 01:07.750 --> 01:10.310 but this is out of a Turkish jail. 01:10.310 --> 01:14.240 This is good news, and that's wonderful. 01:14.240 --> 01:15.680 And you are having an impact. 01:15.680 --> 01:18.070 I'm already hearing people saying because you're meeting, 01:18.070 --> 01:20.330 because you're coming together from around the world 01:20.330 --> 01:24.250 and all faiths, people are seeing things happen, 01:24.250 --> 01:25.980 that they are feeling it. 01:25.980 --> 01:28.810 And so thank you for a wonderful first day, 01:28.810 --> 01:30.590 and today will be even better. 01:30.590 --> 01:33.090 We're starting off with Deputy Secretary John Sullivan, 01:33.090 --> 01:35.900 who is amongst other things very accomplished, 01:35.900 --> 01:38.540 but it also just a wonderful soul. 01:38.540 --> 01:40.030 Or as we say in the vernacular 01:40.030 --> 01:42.273 of the West, he's good people. 01:43.270 --> 01:47.420 And John is a wonderful, brilliant man. 01:47.420 --> 01:49.400 Clerked for a Supreme Court Justice. 01:49.400 --> 01:52.120 He's worked in two prior administrations 01:52.120 --> 01:54.050 in multiple agencies. 01:54.050 --> 01:56.670 This is a talented, accomplished man. 01:56.670 --> 01:59.040 But that doesn't tell half the story. 01:59.040 --> 02:01.040 He's got a deep heart. 02:01.040 --> 02:03.450 He cares about what happens to people. 02:03.450 --> 02:05.237 He's been deeply committed on human rights 02:05.237 --> 02:06.880 and religious freedom cases. 02:06.880 --> 02:09.480 He meets with victims of human rights 02:09.480 --> 02:11.320 and religious freedom matters 02:11.320 --> 02:13.030 because it's close to his heart. 02:13.030 --> 02:15.720 He wants to do something to help him out. 02:15.720 --> 02:20.400 So we have many advocates in this administration 02:20.400 --> 02:21.930 but none better than the person 02:21.930 --> 02:23.470 that you're gonna hear from next, 02:23.470 --> 02:25.703 Deputy Secretary John Sullivan. 02:26.901 --> 02:29.901 (assembly applauds) 02:36.610 --> 02:39.980 - Thank you Ambassador Brownback for that kind introduction 02:39.980 --> 02:42.920 and for conveying that wonderful news. 02:42.920 --> 02:44.920 Preliminary report though it may be, 02:44.920 --> 02:47.640 it's really heartening and so appropriate 02:47.640 --> 02:52.640 on the occasion of the second day of this forum 02:53.150 --> 02:55.170 to get that news about Pastor Brunson. 02:55.170 --> 02:57.693 It really lifts my spirits. 02:58.870 --> 02:59.980 Well, good morning everyone. 02:59.980 --> 03:03.670 On behalf of Secretary Pompeo whom you'll see later 03:03.670 --> 03:06.150 in this forum, I'm delighted to welcome you 03:06.150 --> 03:08.880 to the Department of State for the second day 03:08.880 --> 03:12.720 of this first ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. 03:12.720 --> 03:16.080 It's an honor for me to address this distinguished gathering 03:16.080 --> 03:19.640 of civil society leaders and advocates. 03:19.640 --> 03:22.840 Yesterday's discussion focused on equipping civil society 03:22.840 --> 03:25.080 with the tools to get the resources you need 03:25.080 --> 03:27.920 to facilitate your important work. 03:27.920 --> 03:30.970 Today is all about listening to you 03:30.970 --> 03:32.870 so that we can better understand the threats 03:32.870 --> 03:34.880 to religious freedom around the world 03:34.880 --> 03:38.083 and improve our protection of this precious right. 03:39.060 --> 03:41.570 You were the first line of defense 03:41.570 --> 03:43.970 and often the first support network 03:43.970 --> 03:46.990 to those who are persecuted or attacked. 03:46.990 --> 03:50.543 Please know we stand with you. 03:51.880 --> 03:54.130 You are vigilant to report violations 03:54.130 --> 03:58.730 to our government and to others, and we hear you. 03:58.730 --> 04:00.890 And you were staunch advocates 04:00.890 --> 04:04.280 so that no person or government can silence 04:04.280 --> 04:07.020 with impunity another individual 04:07.020 --> 04:10.820 or group for living out their faith. 04:10.820 --> 04:11.883 We defend you. 04:12.910 --> 04:15.170 So, thank you for your commitment. 04:15.170 --> 04:18.230 Thank you for the risks you take for this cause, 04:18.230 --> 04:21.730 and thank you for being here today to help us better defend 04:21.730 --> 04:24.830 and promote religious freedom around the world. 04:24.830 --> 04:26.600 Religious freedom is vitally important 04:26.600 --> 04:29.980 to the United States and to the Trump administration. 04:29.980 --> 04:33.730 Indeed, religious freedom is fundamental to our democracy. 04:33.730 --> 04:35.810 It holds us together. 04:35.810 --> 04:39.130 Whatever our differences may be, we are unified 04:39.130 --> 04:41.453 in having the freedom to differ. 04:42.310 --> 04:43.850 Our Bill of Rights clearly 04:43.850 --> 04:47.280 and powerfully protects individual liberties, 04:47.280 --> 04:51.300 including first, the freedom of religion 04:51.300 --> 04:54.530 followed by the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, 04:54.530 --> 04:56.453 and freedom of peaceably assembly. 04:57.920 --> 04:59.900 Religious freedom is in our DNA, 04:59.900 --> 05:04.070 and it is close to my heart as Ambassador Brownback said. 05:04.070 --> 05:06.870 I'm the grandson of Irish Catholic immigrants 05:06.870 --> 05:10.580 who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in the 1880s. 05:10.580 --> 05:14.030 When they arrived and for many decades that followed, 05:14.030 --> 05:17.230 Catholics faced widespread prejudice. 05:17.230 --> 05:20.130 And something that Ambassador Brownback said 05:20.130 --> 05:24.120 in his opening remarks caught my attention, 05:24.120 --> 05:27.030 and that is our coming together. 05:27.030 --> 05:31.710 What helped my grandparents and their fellow immigrants 05:31.710 --> 05:35.580 who came to the United States was they had each other. 05:35.580 --> 05:36.970 They had a community. 05:36.970 --> 05:38.500 They had people who came together. 05:38.500 --> 05:42.160 Even if they were persecuted, they had each other, 05:42.160 --> 05:44.060 and that was what sustained them. 05:44.060 --> 05:48.840 And ultimately, when I grew up in the 1960s, 05:48.840 --> 05:51.600 we had an Irish Catholic, John F. Kennedy, 05:51.600 --> 05:54.260 from my home state of Massachusetts run 05:54.260 --> 05:57.840 for president in 1960, when he gave a prominent speech 05:57.840 --> 06:01.470 to reassure the nation that his faith was compatible 06:01.470 --> 06:03.900 with the duties of the office of the president. 06:03.900 --> 06:07.610 And as we all know, our country responded and agreed 06:07.610 --> 06:11.340 with him and elected him president of the United States. 06:11.340 --> 06:13.860 Throughout my life, I've made it a point to work 06:13.860 --> 06:16.060 in support of individual liberty, 06:16.060 --> 06:17.800 including religious freedom. 06:17.800 --> 06:20.530 And I'm glad to say that my passion 06:20.530 --> 06:22.610 for this important work is shared 06:22.610 --> 06:24.620 throughout this administration 06:24.620 --> 06:27.360 by vibrant leaders like the president himself, 06:27.360 --> 06:30.290 Vice-President Pence, Secretary Pompeo, 06:30.290 --> 06:32.100 and of course Ambassador Brownback, 06:32.100 --> 06:35.225 who is such a forceful, vigorous, 06:35.225 --> 06:37.830 and effective advocate for the protection 06:37.830 --> 06:39.580 and promotion of religious freedom. 06:42.008 --> 06:45.008 (assembly applauds) 06:46.270 --> 06:48.390 The fact that the United States cares deeply 06:48.390 --> 06:51.170 about religious freedom is manifest 06:51.170 --> 06:53.830 by this very ministerial itself. 06:53.830 --> 06:57.290 Respect for the human dignity of every person regardless 06:57.290 --> 06:59.860 of religious belief is a key component 06:59.860 --> 07:02.120 in not only protecting human rights, 07:02.120 --> 07:04.410 but ultimately to fostering a society 07:04.410 --> 07:07.570 that can flourish, building upon each other's strengths 07:07.570 --> 07:10.040 and moving forward together. 07:10.040 --> 07:12.480 Religious tolerance is a key building block 07:12.480 --> 07:14.430 of peace and security. 07:14.430 --> 07:17.500 It is the mark of responsible governance. 07:17.500 --> 07:20.080 Interfaith understanding, respect, 07:20.080 --> 07:22.010 and the protection of religious freedom 07:22.010 --> 07:26.670 and other human rights are bulwarks against extremism. 07:26.670 --> 07:29.270 Tomorrow, Secretary Pompeo 07:29.270 --> 07:32.030 and the Vice-President will echo that point 07:32.030 --> 07:34.120 as they each address foreign delegations 07:34.120 --> 07:37.750 from more than 80 countries on concrete actions 07:37.750 --> 07:42.490 to protect religious minorities, defend religious freedom, 07:42.490 --> 07:45.710 and to create a world where every person 07:45.710 --> 07:48.240 can fully enjoy their God-given right 07:48.240 --> 07:50.890 to believe what they want. 07:50.890 --> 07:52.910 All governments must prioritize 07:52.910 --> 07:56.560 protecting religious freedom and belief. 07:56.560 --> 08:00.850 And in working toward that end, we need you. 08:00.850 --> 08:03.580 Your voices and your support are critical 08:03.580 --> 08:05.230 to this important message 08:05.230 --> 08:08.960 so that is spreads wide and takes root. 08:08.960 --> 08:11.410 Please continue your courageous work 08:11.410 --> 08:14.743 to expose religious persecution and discrimination. 08:15.800 --> 08:18.440 Our first plenary session today 08:18.440 --> 08:21.613 is an opportunity to expose that, 08:22.780 --> 08:25.330 that persecution and discrimination 08:25.330 --> 08:27.550 that so many across the world face. 08:27.550 --> 08:30.920 And it gives us an opportunity to define the challenges 08:32.280 --> 08:33.840 that surround us. 08:33.840 --> 08:36.870 Survivors of genocide and religious persecution 08:36.870 --> 08:38.440 are sharing their experiences 08:38.440 --> 08:40.880 throughout this ministerial to point us 08:40.880 --> 08:42.920 in the direction of solutions. 08:42.920 --> 08:45.190 The problem is very real. 08:45.190 --> 08:49.700 To defeat it, we must speak openly, plainly, and honestly. 08:49.700 --> 08:51.640 That's the only way we can stop it, 08:51.640 --> 08:55.083 the only way to preclude it from happening again. 08:56.010 --> 08:58.923 But I know we can because I have faith. 08:59.890 --> 09:03.010 In November of last year, I met with the leaders 09:03.010 --> 09:08.010 of the Al-Nilin Mosque in Khartoum, Sudan. 09:08.030 --> 09:09.350 I joined them with people 09:09.350 --> 09:11.610 from many different faiths, backgrounds, 09:11.610 --> 09:14.950 and cultures to talk about their important work 09:14.950 --> 09:17.430 to embrace tolerance and further the goal 09:17.430 --> 09:20.850 of mutual respect among all citizens. 09:20.850 --> 09:23.150 The work that this community of religious leaders 09:23.150 --> 09:26.610 and NGOs are tackling is impressive. 09:26.610 --> 09:31.220 They, like many of you, are looking to bridge deep divides, 09:31.220 --> 09:33.140 to find areas of understanding, 09:33.140 --> 09:35.490 and to ultimately make life safer 09:35.490 --> 09:38.520 and more just for those around them. 09:38.520 --> 09:40.610 This is no easy task, 09:40.610 --> 09:42.990 but we're honored to support their work. 09:42.990 --> 09:45.440 We're also encouraging the Sudanese government 09:45.440 --> 09:47.980 to make much needed reforms to make sure 09:47.980 --> 09:52.140 that everyone in Sudan can enjoy religious freedom. 09:52.140 --> 09:56.490 We recently cosponsored with Canada an unprecedented meeting 09:56.490 --> 09:58.490 of churches and religious groups 09:58.490 --> 10:00.830 with Sudanese government officials 10:00.830 --> 10:03.280 to try to foster progress. 10:03.280 --> 10:05.550 There is much more work to be done, 10:05.550 --> 10:07.900 but I left Sudan encouraged. 10:07.900 --> 10:11.690 The religious leaders and civil society groups I met 10:11.690 --> 10:14.760 with are nothing short of inspiring. 10:14.760 --> 10:18.900 They have me reason for hope and optimism about the future. 10:18.900 --> 10:20.750 Together, we hope and pray 10:20.750 --> 10:22.620 that government will follow through 10:22.620 --> 10:26.613 on its commitments to take new steps on religious freedom. 10:27.890 --> 10:29.230 When I look out on the hundreds 10:29.230 --> 10:30.840 of people gathered here today, 10:30.840 --> 10:32.670 representing so many faith groups 10:32.670 --> 10:35.270 and NGOs from all over the world, 10:35.270 --> 10:38.330 I feel that same sense of hope and optimism 10:38.330 --> 10:41.350 about the world we are trying to create. 10:41.350 --> 10:44.000 Again, thank you for your tireless work. 10:44.000 --> 10:46.810 I implore you to continue to find ways to work 10:46.810 --> 10:50.410 with those around you so that we can amplify this message 10:50.410 --> 10:52.220 and find more and better ways 10:52.220 --> 10:56.570 to protect religious freedom for all. 10:56.570 --> 10:59.670 And most importantly, persevere. 10:59.670 --> 11:01.770 Challenges assuredly will come 11:01.770 --> 11:04.630 during difficult and frustrating days. 11:04.630 --> 11:07.540 Perhaps we might even feel discouraged. 11:07.540 --> 11:11.120 In those moments, please know that the United States 11:11.120 --> 11:13.840 and this administration supports you. 11:13.840 --> 11:16.230 We look forward to working with you to promote 11:16.230 --> 11:20.540 and defend religious freedom today and every day. 11:20.540 --> 11:22.990 So, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity 11:22.990 --> 11:24.250 to speak with you this morning, 11:24.250 --> 11:27.763 and I look forward to participating in the ministerial. 11:30.022 --> 11:33.022 (assembly applauds) 11:36.121 --> 11:37.920 And now it's my honor to welcome 11:37.920 --> 11:40.500 to the State Department two survivors 11:40.500 --> 11:43.103 of ISIS' atrocities in Iraq, 11:44.810 --> 11:48.160 Nadia Murad and Bishop Nicodemus. 11:48.160 --> 11:50.760 Nadia, with whom I've had the honor to meet 11:50.760 --> 11:53.380 in the recent past here at the Department of State, 11:53.380 --> 11:55.280 is a leading Yazidi activist 11:55.280 --> 11:59.220 and advocate for survivors of ISIS captivity. 11:59.220 --> 12:03.960 When ISIS attacked the Sinjar region in August 2014, 12:03.960 --> 12:06.920 killing and abducting numerous Yazidi men, women, 12:06.920 --> 12:10.350 and children, Nadia was taken captive. 12:10.350 --> 12:12.140 In the time since her escape, 12:12.140 --> 12:14.540 she has dedicated herself to speaking 12:14.540 --> 12:17.230 on behalf of Yazidis and other minorities 12:17.230 --> 12:20.100 who have been targeted due to their religion. 12:20.100 --> 12:23.800 Today, she leads an NGO, Nadia's initiative, 12:23.800 --> 12:26.120 which continues to fight for the human rights 12:26.120 --> 12:27.963 of minorities in Iraq. 12:29.040 --> 12:32.400 Bishop Nicodemus is the Syriac Orthodox 12:32.400 --> 12:34.420 Archbishop of Mosul. 12:34.420 --> 12:36.520 He was one of the last Christians 12:36.520 --> 12:40.090 to flee Mosul when ISIS took over the city. 12:40.090 --> 12:42.420 As a senior Christian religious leader, 12:42.420 --> 12:44.500 he has valiantly led efforts 12:44.500 --> 12:47.620 to assist the country's Christian community, 12:47.620 --> 12:51.360 which has sadly declined in numbers in recent years. 12:51.360 --> 12:54.370 He is a leading voice for the future of Christians 12:54.370 --> 12:57.223 and other religious minorities in the region. 12:58.180 --> 13:01.840 Nadia Murad and Bishop Nicodemus are brave examples 13:01.840 --> 13:05.240 of dedication to the cause of religious freedom 13:05.240 --> 13:08.410 even in the face of unimaginable difficulty, 13:08.410 --> 13:10.480 violence, and tyranny. 13:10.480 --> 13:14.830 Their resilience and courage are an inspiration to us all. 13:14.830 --> 13:16.370 So with that, please join me 13:16.370 --> 13:18.160 in welcoming them to share their thoughts 13:18.160 --> 13:19.720 on the challenges we face 13:19.720 --> 13:22.643 and how we can work together to address them. 13:24.912 --> 13:27.912 (assembly applauds) 13:34.254 --> 13:38.171 (speaking in foreign language) 14:10.730 --> 14:14.200 - [Interpreter] Fear of extinction is what my community, 14:14.200 --> 14:16.780 the Yazidi community containing the sto-fees. 14:16.780 --> 14:21.100 I survived the 2014 Yazidi genocide, 14:21.100 --> 14:24.850 but many Yazidis did not survive. 14:24.850 --> 14:26.430 Some were murdered. 14:26.430 --> 14:29.617 Thousands were taken to captivity. 14:30.560 --> 14:33.100 Many of them remain in captivity today. 14:33.100 --> 14:37.393 ISIS specifically targeted Yazidis because of religion. 14:38.860 --> 14:42.440 Their goal was to eradicate Yazidis. 14:42.440 --> 14:47.440 ISIS was public about their plan to eradicate Yazidis 14:48.110 --> 14:51.540 because they considered us infidels. 14:51.540 --> 14:55.700 ISIS targeted religious minorities in both Iraq and Syria. 14:55.700 --> 14:59.100 This was a planned attack against religious freedom. 14:59.100 --> 15:00.666 As you all know, thousands 15:00.666 --> 15:03.993 of Yazidis were murdered by ISIS in 2014. 15:05.940 --> 15:09.170 ISIS took over all property 15:09.170 --> 15:11.113 and destroyed our homes and cars. 15:12.290 --> 15:13.840 Thousands of Yazidi women 15:13.840 --> 15:16.160 and children were taken in captivity. 15:16.160 --> 15:19.067 Still many of them remain in captivity. 15:20.500 --> 15:25.190 This terrorist group have used our women as sex slaves 15:26.327 --> 15:30.073 and brainwashed our children to become radicals. 15:31.362 --> 15:34.948 Yazidis have suffered way before 2014. 15:34.948 --> 15:38.820 Our community have always been neglected 15:38.820 --> 15:42.523 by the government that controlled the area for decades. 15:44.020 --> 15:49.020 Today, ISIS is pushed out of Iraq. 15:49.550 --> 15:54.140 Yazidi areas remain destroyed and not the mine. 15:54.140 --> 15:57.890 Security in our homeland remains fragile. 15:57.890 --> 16:02.150 More than 350,000 Yazidis 16:02.150 --> 16:07.150 are living in dire conditions in our refugee camps 16:08.580 --> 16:12.780 because they do not have a home to go back to. 16:12.780 --> 16:17.230 This week, a Yazidi woman who was pregnant 16:17.230 --> 16:19.712 and in labor lost her life 16:19.712 --> 16:22.790 due to lack of medical care in Sinjar. 16:22.790 --> 16:25.920 We lost a young Yazidi man in Sinjar due 16:25.920 --> 16:30.920 to the landmines planted and by ISIS in Sinjar. 16:32.429 --> 16:35.700 We are only days away from August 3rd. 16:35.700 --> 16:39.390 This will be the fourth anniversary of Yazidi genocide. 16:39.390 --> 16:41.350 Yet, Yazidis remain shattered, 16:41.350 --> 16:44.160 and those who committed this genocide 16:44.160 --> 16:49.160 against us have not been held accountable for their crimes. 16:49.370 --> 16:52.100 We have been asking the international community 16:52.100 --> 16:54.770 for help for the past four years. 16:54.770 --> 16:58.083 Our hope is that Yazidis will be protected 16:58.083 --> 17:00.950 from this ongoing genocide, 17:00.950 --> 17:03.990 our areas will be reconstructed, 17:03.990 --> 17:05.800 and those who committed crimes 17:05.800 --> 17:08.379 against us will be held accountable. 17:08.379 --> 17:11.320 We have asked Western countries 17:11.320 --> 17:14.629 to grant asylum priority to Yazidis, 17:14.629 --> 17:17.903 because they are not a security threat to any country. 17:19.080 --> 17:22.387 But many Yazidis have been denied asylum 17:22.387 --> 17:24.293 in the past few years. 17:25.659 --> 17:27.588 I would like to point out 17:27.588 --> 17:31.005 that Yazidis are survivors of a genocide, 17:33.580 --> 17:37.663 and they are not just asylum seekers like others. 17:38.742 --> 17:42.075 This is why nations should help Yazidis. 17:43.187 --> 17:46.380 Yazidis, Christians, and other religious minorities 17:46.380 --> 17:50.657 in Iraq continue to face persecution, 17:50.657 --> 17:52.860 and their future is unknown. 17:52.860 --> 17:55.463 They are not accepted as regular citizens, 17:56.350 --> 17:59.480 nor their religious beliefs are respected. 17:59.480 --> 18:01.685 This is why most of members 18:01.685 --> 18:04.833 of these religious minorities seek asylum, 18:06.630 --> 18:09.320 escape their home countries looking 18:09.320 --> 18:14.320 for places to respect them and award them their rights. 18:14.340 --> 18:17.790 Religious freedom is something that's deeper 18:18.750 --> 18:21.833 than personal and individual beliefs. 18:25.110 --> 18:29.100 Religious freedom has to be a human right. 18:29.100 --> 18:32.713 Thank you so much. (assembly applauds) 19:04.600 --> 19:08.517 (speaking in foreign language) 19:10.510 --> 19:11.453 - Good morning. 19:12.740 --> 19:15.766 I said (speaking in foreign language) 19:15.766 --> 19:18.410 in Aramaic, in Jesus' language. 19:18.410 --> 19:22.270 That's mean peace and love. 19:22.270 --> 19:26.580 This is what we need, what we need really today 19:27.440 --> 19:32.180 to feel we are in peace and in love in our country, 19:32.180 --> 19:33.993 in our land, in all the world. 19:35.730 --> 19:38.990 I wanted to talk in English, but my English is not good. 19:38.990 --> 19:42.053 I will try, but I will talk in Arabic. 19:42.930 --> 19:45.850 Just I want to send message when I started 19:45.850 --> 19:49.949 with these two words, (speaking in foreign language) 19:49.949 --> 19:53.510 to say we are the last people 19:53.510 --> 19:56.860 speak Jesus' language, Aramaic. 19:56.860 --> 20:00.310 Please, we need your help 20:00.310 --> 20:05.310 to continue in this language and this life. 20:05.360 --> 20:10.360 This is like a missionary for us for all the world 20:10.490 --> 20:15.490 because we are roots of the Christianity for all the world. 20:16.433 --> 20:19.810 (speaking in foreign language) 20:19.810 --> 20:22.751 - [Interpreter] We as Christians, we love all, 20:22.751 --> 20:25.951 and we want to live with all. 20:25.951 --> 20:29.034 We respect all, and we're still happy 20:30.031 --> 20:33.442 to serve all our brothers and sisters 20:33.442 --> 20:36.275 in every country and in the world. 20:37.360 --> 20:40.277 And the history is witnessing this, 20:41.632 --> 20:44.147 but now for us as Christians (mumbles), 20:45.523 --> 20:48.885 and especially in Iraq, we are marginalized. 20:48.885 --> 20:51.179 And we cannot be destroyed. 20:51.179 --> 20:54.220 We are the origin of Iraq and the roots 20:54.220 --> 20:56.864 of Christianity in the whole world. 20:56.864 --> 20:59.197 And most people don't speak, 21:01.208 --> 21:06.157 Aramean, that's the language of Lord Jesus Christ, 21:07.089 --> 21:11.335 but we became from a majority 21:11.335 --> 21:14.458 an indigenous people in our country 21:14.458 --> 21:16.958 and our homeland to a minority 21:18.460 --> 21:21.409 and to refugees in our homeland. 21:21.409 --> 21:26.409 And now, everything is taken away from us. 21:26.632 --> 21:30.292 There is no history, no land, no churches, 21:30.292 --> 21:35.292 no monasteries, no dignity, no people because of migration. 21:37.405 --> 21:41.143 No rules, no rights, nothing protect us. 21:42.021 --> 21:45.200 Realize our history, and we are being marginalized 21:46.802 --> 21:50.951 in our present, and we don't know anything about our future. 21:50.951 --> 21:55.951 Since 2003 until now, we are deteriorating completely. 21:58.370 --> 22:01.300 Our number as Christians in Iraq 22:01.300 --> 22:03.480 before 2003 was 1,600,000 people. 22:07.194 --> 22:10.944 But now, we are way less than 500,000 people. 22:13.775 --> 22:18.108 Since 2003, four times we were displaced from Mosul, 22:21.027 --> 22:24.110 and the fifth time, it was displaced, 22:26.452 --> 22:29.934 we were displaced by ISIS in 2014. 22:29.934 --> 22:32.184 And until now, we were not, 22:33.127 --> 22:36.214 we are not free from the ideology 22:36.214 --> 22:38.787 of ISIS that reject others. 22:38.787 --> 22:43.037 In one day, 125,000 Christian people were displaced 22:44.340 --> 22:49.340 and kicked away from Mosul and from (mumbles) village, 22:52.012 --> 22:53.262 in our village. 22:54.453 --> 22:57.716 We are losing history of Christianity 22:57.716 --> 23:00.299 that goes back 1,800 centuries. 23:03.010 --> 23:07.883 We lost churches were built in the 3rd century. 23:08.837 --> 23:12.310 In one day, we lost a lot of things 23:12.310 --> 23:15.540 who go back to the 2nd century. 23:15.540 --> 23:18.920 And after the so-called liberation, 23:18.920 --> 23:21.617 we went back to see what happened. 23:21.617 --> 23:24.337 All our churches and monasteries are demolished and burned. 23:27.333 --> 23:31.583 More than 25,000 homes either demolished or burned. 23:34.520 --> 23:36.111 Schools were burned. 23:36.111 --> 23:38.900 Hospitals were destroyed. 23:38.900 --> 23:40.320 Nothing has changed. 23:41.616 --> 23:46.616 We became in a worsened situation. 23:47.461 --> 23:49.730 We have no guarantees. 23:49.730 --> 23:53.820 We have no dignity or any guarantees of dignity. 23:53.820 --> 23:57.253 That's why Christians did not go back to Mosul normally. 23:58.461 --> 24:03.044 And still there is chapter 26 in the Iraqi Constitution 24:04.950 --> 24:09.950 that oppresses us and wants to Islamicize all our children. 24:11.305 --> 24:14.980 We want a law that gives us justice 24:14.980 --> 24:16.750 because for us as Christians, 24:16.750 --> 24:20.658 we don't know the culture of blood or violence. 24:20.658 --> 24:24.207 We don't have weapons, and we were not raised up 24:25.726 --> 24:29.643 on this culture of robbery and steel and blood. 24:31.195 --> 24:33.472 All our culture is based 24:33.472 --> 24:36.400 on teaching those who are around us. 24:36.400 --> 24:39.130 We need those who can defend us 24:39.130 --> 24:43.150 so we can stay in our historic land and Holy Land. 24:44.246 --> 24:46.246 To whom we can complain? 24:48.482 --> 24:53.247 Everything that was beautiful is taken away from us 24:53.247 --> 24:57.287 in the middle of the day and in front of the whole world, 24:57.287 --> 25:01.830 and we don't have anyone to protect us, to support us. 25:01.830 --> 25:03.720 Our children are saddened 25:06.080 --> 25:10.702 and crying for childhood that was stolen from them. 25:10.702 --> 25:14.490 Our young people had already gray hair, 25:14.490 --> 25:17.390 and they lost their youth. 25:17.390 --> 25:20.704 We saw our children dying in front of us 25:20.704 --> 25:24.787 and our people have nothing, lying on the ground. 25:25.753 --> 25:28.153 What happened was a genocide for us. 25:29.180 --> 25:34.180 ISIS took everything from us, yes, everything, 25:34.950 --> 25:36.538 even our dignity. 25:36.538 --> 25:41.538 But, and honorably I can say that they did not, 25:41.986 --> 25:44.830 they couldn't take our Lord from our heart, 25:44.830 --> 25:48.860 and they cannot do that. (assembly applauds) 25:54.014 --> 25:57.030 - ISIS taked everything from us, 25:57.030 --> 26:00.723 our history, our dignity, everything. 26:02.070 --> 26:07.070 And they tried to take Jesus Christ our Lord from our God, 26:07.790 --> 26:12.254 but they cannot, and they cannot to take it from our heart. 26:12.254 --> 26:15.254 (assembly applauds) 26:17.407 --> 26:20.236 (speaking in foreign language) 26:20.236 --> 26:23.280 - [Interpreter] Allah will never abandon us. 26:23.280 --> 26:26.144 When we were kicked out from our land 26:26.144 --> 26:28.644 and the land of our ancestors, 26:31.075 --> 26:33.325 he prepared a place for us. 26:34.506 --> 26:37.622 And Kurdistan welcomed us and had us, 26:37.622 --> 26:40.099 and we would like to thank them for that. 26:40.099 --> 26:42.980 But they welcomed us in our land 26:42.980 --> 26:47.413 because Kurdistan is the land of our ancestors. 26:48.630 --> 26:53.517 Yes, God did not abandon us and did not abandon me 26:53.517 --> 26:56.743 because I was the last bishop to leave Mosul. 26:57.840 --> 27:02.777 And I had only 300 meters separate me with ISIS. 27:04.170 --> 27:08.810 - I am the last archbishop fled from Mosul. 27:08.810 --> 27:13.363 It was just between me and ISIS 300 meters. 27:14.279 --> 27:18.469 (speaking in foreign language) 27:18.469 --> 27:20.680 - [Interpreter] God helped us. 27:20.680 --> 27:22.143 - He was with us. 27:24.802 --> 27:28.510 - [Interpreter] And he saved my people, 27:28.510 --> 27:31.968 and only five hours after we left Mosul, 27:31.968 --> 27:36.280 Mosul completely were under control, 27:36.280 --> 27:37.203 of the ISIS, 27:38.820 --> 27:43.570 gangs of ISIS after the army abandoned us. 27:43.570 --> 27:48.570 More than 60,000 Iraqi soldiers abandoned us in Mosul. 27:50.052 --> 27:55.052 - My question is always why. 27:56.380 --> 27:58.463 - [Interpreter] What's all this evil? 27:59.880 --> 28:01.163 We love life. 28:02.550 --> 28:05.680 We are the children of hope. 28:05.680 --> 28:10.132 We want to stay in the land of our ancestors 28:10.132 --> 28:13.260 and fathers between the two rivers and the whole east. 28:14.941 --> 28:16.740 Please, help us. 28:16.740 --> 28:18.470 - Help us. 28:18.470 --> 28:19.550 Thank you. 28:19.550 --> 28:20.667 - [Interpreter] Thank you. 28:24.014 --> 28:27.014 (assembly applauds) 28:53.620 --> 28:55.130 - Well, if that doesn't get you going, 28:55.130 --> 28:56.790 I don't know what would. 28:56.790 --> 28:59.630 Nadia, Bishop, thank you very much, very much 28:59.630 --> 29:01.713 for being testimony to us. 29:03.080 --> 29:05.960 Both of these are witnesses to a genocide, 29:05.960 --> 29:09.030 that the United States government under Secretary Kerry 29:09.890 --> 29:13.010 when Ambassador Saperstein was in this position 29:13.010 --> 29:15.410 pushed forward for a genocide declaration 29:15.410 --> 29:18.260 of what ISIS had done in northern Iraq. 29:18.260 --> 29:20.060 And you hear their witnesses and testimony. 29:20.060 --> 29:22.080 But it's not over. 29:22.080 --> 29:23.980 They continue to need security. 29:23.980 --> 29:26.200 I was just in the region on the first of July. 29:26.200 --> 29:29.400 They continue to need security and rebuilding efforts. 29:29.400 --> 29:31.680 And so we must continue to work on that, 29:31.680 --> 29:33.340 and we've gotta continue to push 29:33.340 --> 29:36.320 that when we say never again, we mean never again 29:37.360 --> 29:38.930 and that we stand together 29:38.930 --> 29:42.360 against those who would commit such atrocities as this. 29:42.360 --> 29:44.320 So, thank you very much for being here. 29:44.320 --> 29:46.070 We will now go into the plenary session 29:46.070 --> 29:48.430 where we start to hear from you. 29:48.430 --> 29:51.200 The deputy secretary's gonna be here chairing the session. 29:51.200 --> 29:52.033 I will as well. 29:52.033 --> 29:53.630 We'll move down to the well. 29:53.630 --> 29:55.210 There'll be I think a couple of speakers 29:55.210 --> 29:57.920 that have already lined up to speak at the outset. 29:57.920 --> 29:59.670 And then the microphone will be open. 29:59.670 --> 30:02.150 The floor will be open for input, comments 30:02.150 --> 30:03.320 that individuals would have. 30:03.320 --> 30:06.210 We want to hear from you what we need to be doing. 30:06.210 --> 30:08.400 So that's what this day is more about. 30:08.400 --> 30:09.960 We'll move to that right now, 30:09.960 --> 30:11.760 and we encourage your participation. 30:11.760 --> 30:14.300 There will be a time clock running, 30:14.300 --> 30:16.350 so people will be cut off. 30:16.350 --> 30:19.950 This isn't for long speeches at all, please. 30:19.950 --> 30:21.300 So I wanna warn you about that, 30:21.300 --> 30:25.580 and brevity is next to godliness in these settings. 30:25.580 --> 30:29.000 So if you can do that, that would be very good. 30:29.000 --> 30:30.060 We'll move into that now. 30:30.060 --> 30:30.893 Thank you.