By: Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – As Christmas draws near, Christians have increasingly become targets of extremist violence throughout Iraq.  While the government has condemned the attacks and promised to do more to stem the violence, the death toll continues to rise.  The Islamic State of Iraq, a militant group with links to al-Qaeda, has taken responsibility for recent attacks against Christians and declared that all Christians will be considered “legitimate targets” for future operations.

Amnesty International stepped up its pressure on the central government to protect Christian populations within the country after an attack on a Christian church in October left 44 worshippers dead.   The human rights group noted that targeted attacks against Christians have increased in recent weeks leading up to the Christmas celebration.  The group remains concerned about the prevalence of war crimes against minority groups in Iraq and notes that Christians have been forced to flee Baghdad and surrounding cities in great numbers to find refuge.  Over a third of those Iraqis who have resettled in the U.S. are Christians and hundreds of thousands more have fled to surrounding countries within the Middle East.  Up to a million Christians have fled Iraq since 2003. 

Amnesty International’s director for the Middle East and North Africa, Malcolm Smart fears that “militants are likely to attempt serous attacks against Christians during the Christmas period for maximum publicity and to embarrass the government.”  The government reported to have stopped another set of suicide attacks on Monday after killing 3 Libyan nationals in a house raid.  Police found suicide vests, bombs and explosive material in the house.  The presence of the three foreign militants in Iraq highlights the government’s growing concerns about the threat of violence from neighboring countries. 

For the government today, terrorism remains equally an internal and external threat to peace and security.  The rush of foreign militants into Iraq continues to be problematic for the government and its attempts to promote stability.  As the Iraqi leadership searches to create a unified and legitimate government, it must do more for the politically underrepresented Christians in Iraq.   Failure to find a comprehensive and religiously-neutral solution to this crisis may only further exacerbate religious divisions in Iraq and risks further violence. 

For more information, please see:

The National – Christmas is Not for Us, Say Iraqi Christian Refugees in Jordan – Dec. 21, 2010

Agence France Presse – Amnesty Calls on Iraq to Protect Christians – Dec. 20, 2010

Amnesty International – Iraqi Christians Fear Spike in Christian Attacks – Dec. 20, 2010

Washington Post – Grim Xmas for Iraqi Christians as Many Flee North – Dec. 19, 2010