Iraq: 'Christians being targeted by plots hatched abroad'

Baghdad, 23 Nov. (AKI) - Iraq's Christians are being targeted by plots hatched outside Iraq and Al-Qaeda is infiltrating the country thanks to neighbouring states, according to the head of the Baghdad governorate's human rights commission. Shanain Gaeed al-Makassees was speaking to Adnkronos International (AKI) after a series of recent attacks against Christians in the Iraqi capital, including that on a church which killed 58 people including two priests.

"Unfortunately, our Christian brothers have lately been the victims of plots organised abroad and executed by Al-Qaeda terrorists," said al-Makassees.

He was in Rome for meetings with the Italian Senate upper house of parliament's human rights commission, and human rights bodies in the surrounding Lazio region and province of Rome.

The initative was organised by the non-governmental organisation 'A bridge for human rights in Iraq and for the protection of prisoners and torture victims'

Al-Makassees said a member of Iraq's police force had recently told the human rights commission there were countries bordering Iraq which fund Al-Qaeda and which help its terrorists enter the country.

"Many" of the terrorists who carried out the 31 October attack against the Baghdad's Christian cathedral were foreign miiltants, and victims had included security forces deployed to defend the Christian worshippers, as well as Christians attending church, he noted.

"We citizens of Baghdad, are used to living in peace and harmony with Iraqi Christians, because we have always done so," he said.