What can the European Union do?

“Conflicts in the Middle East and in Southern Asia – What can the European Union do?”: this is the theme of the COMECE plenary Assembly (Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union) that opens today, March 18 (ongoing until the 20th) in Brussels, with the inauguration of the Commission’s new headquarters. Otmar Oehring, Chair of the “human rights” service of the German organization Missio is one of the speakers in tomorrow’s panel. The theme is “The situation of Christians in the Middle East and in Southern Asia”. He was interviewed by SIR. On May 8-15 the Pope will visit the Holy Land. What is the meaning and future prospects of the Apostolic visit in the eyes of the local Christian communities? “For Christians in the Middle East the Pope’s visit is a sign of encouragement in a difficult situation, or one that is perceived as such. It would however be wrong to expect miracles from the Apostolic visit, as relates to the future of Christians living in the Holy Land. We must remember that the Pope’s trip to Turkey at the end of 2006 had no serious consequences on the lives or survival of Christians and Churches in Turkey”.Emigration caused a decrease in the number of Christians living in the Middle-East. What are the causes of this phenomenon and its possible consequences?“There are numerous causes. The general demographic trend should not be underestimated. While in Muslim families – notably those where tradition and religion play a central role – having many children is still the norm, the number of siblings in Christian families decreased over the past decades, also as a result of higher education levels. But also the general political conditions, which often prevent decisions from remaining within the realm of reason, had a serious impact on this phenomenon. The growing inflow of radical Islamic movements – like the Hezbollah in Lebanon or Hamas in Palestine, along with the latent risk of stronger influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in countries like Egypt or Syria, make Christians feel that it’s impossible to clearly predict their future prospects in their countries of origin. Iraq is currently a special case. In this country Christians are the victims of ethnic cleansing in areas such as Baghdad, Bassora, and in Mossul, “.Would you say that there is a real and true persecution of Christians in the Middle East? “It’s certainly problematic to speak about ‘persecution’, when identifying the situation of Christians in the Middle East. Even in those areas of Iraq that I previously mentioned, Christian faithful are not being threatened individually. To this regard, the Latin bishop of Baghdad, Msgr. Jean Sleiman justly pointed out that Iraqi Christians that were not the victims of acts of threat and violence have become the victims of psychosis and feel as though they directly suffered acts of violence and threats. This sense of insecurity that turns into fear is widely felt by Middle-Eastern Christians. Many of them are ready to pack their things and leave at any moment”.Which role can be played by Europe to promote a better integration and acceptance of Christian communities? “Europe must follow the new US policy on the Middle East and focus upon the promotion of a radical and long-lasting change in Western politics. Unless a solution of the Palestinian conflict is found, the other conflicts and problems of the region won’t be solved either. To this regard it’s important to reconsider relations with Syria and Iran. A large part of the population of these two Countries – that in Syria includes state leadership – seem determined to find a peaceful solution to the conflicts. This is the only way to modulate radical Islamic groups like Hezbollah and Hamas and reach a long-lasting solution of the ongoing conflicts. Only then will there be better future prospects also for Christians”. What concrete help can be offered by Europe and by the international community to those fleeing from their own Countries? “Those Christians who can no longer repatriate, like Iraqi refugees, ought to be supported by Europe and by the international community of States in all possible ways, not only at material level. Those Christians who can no longer return to their homeland and who have no future prospects – neither at administrative nor at material level – not even in first asylum countries like Syria and Jordan, ought to granted the possibility to live in Western countries. According to a team of experts appointed by EU Ministers of Interiors, who visited the region in November 2008, 75 thousand Iraqi refugees that the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) identified as people in need of special protection, mostly non-Islamic minorities like Christians – should be given asylum in Countries outside the region. The recommendation adopted at the end of November 2008 by EU ministers of Interiors, concerning the reception of 10 000 refugees, is to be viewed as a first step in this direction”.