Christians in Iraq: From 1.5 million in 2003 to 150,000 today

Over the last decades, because of the wars, of Saddam Hussein, and ISIS, thousands of Christians have been killed and over a million were forced to flee or to retreat in the Kurdistan region. Still, Iraq has one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. According to tradition, Christianity was brought to Iraq by St Thomas the Apostle during the first century, well before Islam existed. As the ECLJ’s latest report on this country highlights it, Christians and other religious minorities still endure systemic issues and legal frameworks that restrict their religious freedoms, as well as specific incidents of violence and discrimination.

The Three Main Legal Issues:

The Constitution of Iraq, while establishing Islam as the state religion, also claims to guarantee freedom of religion and the protection of places of worship. However, several legal provisions contradict these guarantees:

- Personal Status Laws: These laws require that children of a converted parent to Islam also convert, thereby limiting religious freedom. For instance this year, Elvin Joseph and her children were compelled by an Iraqi court to register as Muslims, despite being practicing Christians.

- National Card Law: Prevents converts from Islam from changing their religion on identification documents.

- Penal Code: Criminalizes blasphemy, which can be used to target religious minorities, including Christians, for expressing their beliefs.

Iraq is a signatory to several international human rights agreements, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which uphold the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. However, Iraqi laws often contravene these international commitments.

Specific Persecution of Christians

Since 2003, Christians in Iraq have faced severe persecution, including systemic displacement, violence, and legal discrimination. Christians face threats from both the government and extremist groups. Incidents include, inter alia:

- The murder of three Christians in northern Iraq in September 2023.

- A Christian missionary from Texas was shot in Baghdad in 2022.

- A young woman who converted from Islam to Christianity was murdered in an apparent "honor" killing, also in 2022.The Christian population in Iraq has drastically reduced from 1.5 million in 2003 to 150,000 today due to ongoing violence and lack of resources. Many Christians are caught in the crossfire of conflicts, such as the ongoing Turkish military operations in the Kurdistan region that have destroyed Christian villages, forced displacements, and caused numerous civilian casualties. In 2023 alone, over 1,500 attacks were reported in the region, significantly impacting Christian communities.

Blasphemy Laws

Iraq’s blasphemy laws have been used to arrest and intimidate individuals for their religious beliefs. Accusations of blasphemy often serve to suppress religious minorities and freedom of expression. For example, in March 2023, a Christian was sentenced to six months in prison for social media posts deemed insulting to Islam.

Recommendations

The ECLJ report, sent in preparation of the UN Universal Periodic Review, recommends that Iraq reform its laws to align with international human rights standards and its constitutional guarantees. Key recommendations include:

- Legal Reforms: Abolish or amend laws that restrict religious freedom, such as those that enforce conversion or criminalize blasphemy.

- Protection Measures: Implement stronger protections for religious minorities, particularly Christians, against violence and harassment.

- Support for Displaced Communities: Ensure the safe return of displaced Christians to their homes, provide necessary resources such as water, and protect communities from ongoing conflicts.

The ECLJ calls for urgent action to prevent further violations of religious freedoms and to secure a safe future for Christians in Iraq.