Legislative Action Toolkit
The Semele Massacres Recognition: Support H.R. 472
Background
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The Semele Massacre refers to a series of systematic killings, lootings, and destruction that took place against the Assyrian population in the Semele and Dohuk districts of Iraq in August 1933.
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The Assyrians were not included in the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which resulted in their vulnerability as refugees in the newly formed Kingdom of Iraq.
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The increasing hostility of the Iraqi government towards the Assyrians, culminating in the exile of their leader, Patriarch Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, to Cyprus in 1933.
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The Assyrians have a long history of being targeted by different forces due to their ethnic and religious identity.
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House Resolution 472 recognizes the Semele Massacres of 1933.
Key Points
Assyrian Vulnerability and British Role:
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The Assyrians were left vulnerable as the new Kingdom of Iraq was formed, and they were not given autonomy or protections.
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The British authorities, who had a mandate over Iraq at the time, authorized the exile of Patriarch Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, the leader of the Assyrian community, despite their status as Britain's "smallest ally" in the region.
Escalation and Massacre:
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Following the exile of their leader, tensions escalated between the Iraqi government and the Assyrian population.
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The Semele Massacre was triggered by the Iraqi government's desire to suppress and eliminate the Assyrian resistance movement.
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Between August 7 and August 11, 1933, the Iraqi armed forces, led by Bakr Sidqi, targeted Assyrian villages, killing thousands of unarmed Assyrian men, women, and children.
International Response and Aftermath:
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The Semele Massacre drew international attention and condemnation.
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The Semele Massacre served as an inspiration for lawyer Raphael Lemkin to coin the term "genocide."
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The massacre led to significant displacement, with thousands of Assyrians forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring countries.
Present Day:
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Despite the historical importance of the massacre, the gravesite where the victims were buried in Simele is neglected and lacks proper recognition.
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The site, referred to as "Simmel Archeological Hill," is marked by a large dirt hill with discarded trash and unwanted junk. A communication tower has been built on top of it.
Importance of Recognition and Commemoration:
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The Assyrian genocide and the Semele Massacre highlight the long history of persecution and suffering endured by the Assyrian people.
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Proper recognition, commemoration, and preservation of the gravesite are crucial to honoring the memory of the victims and acknowledging the Assyrians' historical and cultural significance in Northern Iraq.
House Resolution 472
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House Resolution 472 is a bipartisan legislation that officially recognizes the Semele Massacre of 1933.
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Rejects any attempts to deny the occurrence of the Semele Massacre and dissociates the United States Government from such denial.
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Promotes education and public understanding of the Semele Massacre, including the United States' role in the humanitarian relief effort and the relevance of the massacre to modern-day crimes against humanity.
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Introduced by Congresswoman Debbie Lesko with 8 Cosponsors and referred to House Foreign Affairs Committee. It is currently awaiting a subcommittee hearing or mark-up in order to report the bill to the full committee and on track to become law.
Take Action
1. Contact Your Congressional Representative (Two Options to Send Letters):
Sign the pre-written letter to urge your congressional representative to cosponsor House Resolution 472 and recognize the Semele Massacre.
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Send a letter to your congressional representative via text message by following these simple steps:
Text "SIGN PSSXEH" to 50409, iMessage, WhatsApp or on Messenger
A pre-written letter will be generated and sent on your behalf, urging support for House Resolution 472.
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2. Tweet Your Congressional Representative:
Use your voice on social media to support the cause. Share pre-written tweets or craft your own message to raise awareness
Tweet at your congressional representative using their Twitter handle and the hashtags #SemeleMassacres and #SupportHR472.
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Use our convenient Tweet Widget for a quick lookup of your congressional representative and a pre-written tweet that is addressed to them
Click here to fill out the Tweet Widget and send a tweet to your representative
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Or, you can use these Template Tweets (Remember to Insert the Twitter Handle of your Representative)
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3. Share Your Story and Spread Awareness:
Share your personal story, experiences, or information about the Semele Massacre and this initiative with your friends, family, and followers on social media.
Use the power of your voice to increase visibility and advocate for justice.
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Suggestions:
Share this page (assyrianaction.org/semele) on all your social media accounts to call others to action.
Write a heartfelt Facebook post sharing your thoughts and encouraging others to take action.
Create an Instagram story to educate your followers about the Semele Massacre and House Resolution 472.
Tweet about the importance of recognizing historical atrocities like the Semele Massacres and the need for accountability.
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4. Join Our Email List:
Stay informed about upcoming updates, events, and progress regarding the Semele Massacre and related issues.
Join our email list to receive regular updates and be part of the movement for justice.
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Sign up using the form below:
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