SW News: Christian leaders and activists of five political groups in Iran have raised concerns over large-scale illegal real estate operations in the governorate of Nineveh, where the Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac communities have their traditional roots.

In a document signed by the leaders of the five parties, they denounce the fact that the municipalities of Nineveh are encouraging transactions for the sale and ownership of residential lands in the center of the Talkeif district to non-Christians, who are not from the area.

These land acquisitions for housing to change the demographic balance between the various components of the Iraqi population in a manner that responds to a sectarian mentality are a blatant violation of that decision.

Five political parties including the Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa), the National Union of Beth Nahrain, the Abnaa al-Nahrain Party, the Assyrian National Party, and the Chaldean-Assyrian-Syrian Popular Council have raised the alarm about the shifting demographic balance in the Nineveh Plain.

According to the leaders of the parties, this mindset still guides the choices of many of those who currently hold power, despite claiming otherwise.

An appeal was made to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Construction, Housing Municipalities, and Public Works, asking them to intervene immediately and instruct the relevant authorities to halt any measures aimed at sorting and distributing lands in the areas of the historic settlement of the indigenous Christian communities in Iraq.

To advance the development of infrastructure and services, promote the emigration of Christians, and combat the processes that impede their return to their homes, politicians are also calling for the creation of municipal departments and new administrative units in parts of the Nineveh Plains.

This is done to counter the processes that caused them to flee the plain when it was largely taken over by jihadist militias from the so-called Islamic State (Daesh). The final paragraph of the document issues a challenge to Christians to combat racist and sectarian attitudes and behaviors that undermine the foundations of harmony, peaceful coexistence, and genuine national partnership.

The "Babylon Movement," which holds four of the five seats in the Iraqi Parliament designated for Christian members, did not sign the petition.