The Assyrians, an indigenous ethnic group from ancient Mesopotamia (now the area comprising modern-day Iraq, southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and northeastern Syria), have been a UNPO member since 1991. 

The Assyrians have a distinct identity, which despite facing threats to their language, culture, and very existence, they manage to maintain and defend, including their recognition and self-determination. Respecting their right to self-determination could provide the protection they need to preserve their rich heritage and secure a future where their contributions to the Middle East are fully recognized and valued. The UNPO advocates for these rights, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional guarantees and promoting cultural and equal political participation for the Assyrian people.

The UNPO Secretariat advocates for the rights of the Assyrian people as a whole, engaging with various civil society organizations, groups, and representatives from the Assyrian community. However, the primary organization representing the Assyrian people within the UNPO, with voting rights at the General Assembly, is the Assyrian Universal Alliance. You can read more about the Assyrian Universal Alliance here.

The Assyrians are seen as a unique group because of their ancient culture, distinctive language, and long history in their homeland, even though they’ve faced many challenges and displacement.

The Assyrians are an ancient indigenous people of Mesopotamia with a rich cultural heritage. They speak Assyrian, a language with deep historical roots, and their identity is closely tied to their Christian faith, with churches such as the Assyrian Church of the East, the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Chaldean Catholic Church playing central roles in preserving their traditions. 

Despite facing significant challenges, Assyrians are determinant in obtaining recognition, representation, and protection of their rights, preserving their cultural and religious identity while advocating for political autonomy in the countries where they reside, including Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran.

The Assyrians are considered a distinct people due to their unique linguistic, cultural, and historical identity, dating back millennia to their once-powerful empire that spanned across modern-day Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. After the fall of their empire in the 7th century BCE, Assyrians endured centuries of persecution, displacement, and forced assimilation under successive empires and states. The 20th century brought severe challenges, including the Assyrian genocide during World War I, which resulted in massive loss of life and further displacement. Today, Assyrians continue to face discrimination and political marginalization, with their cultural identity and heritage under constant threat.

In Iraq and Syria, Assyrian people are systematically marginalized, excluded from political processes, and subjected to discrimination, underrepresentation, and ongoing conflict. These issues, along with forced displacement and the destruction of cultural sites, threaten their existence and right to self-determination.

The Assyrian language and culture face severe risks of extinction, with UNESCO classifying the Assyrian language as “definitely endangered.” Despite constitutional protections in Iraq and Syria meant to ensure religious freedom and minority rights, Assyrians still face widespread persecution and discrimination. These protections are often poorly enforced or ignored, leaving Assyrians vulnerable to violence, forced displacement, and marginalization. Extremist groups like ISIS have targeted Assyrian communities, leading to church bombings, forced conversions, and mass displacements. The humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels, with many Assyrians seeking refuge in the Kurdish Region of Iraq. 

Assyrians remain largely unrepresented in the political frameworks of the countries they inhabit, predominantly Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran, and their right to self-determination is often ignored. Respecting this right could help address their long-standing grievances and provide a path toward rebuilding their communities and preserving their culture. The establishment of an autonomous region within Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, as supported by many Assyrians, would ensure the necessary protections and resources for Assyrians to maintain their identity and heritage. This autonomy would also promote stability and inclusion, enabling Assyrians to contribute more fully to the cultural and social fabric of the Middle East.