American Iraqi Christians denied right to vote in out-of country elections

Washington D.C., Jan 17, 2005 / 22:00 pm

While some American Iraqis began to register yesterday to vote in the Iraq out-of-country elections this month, most American Iraqi Christians have been denied that right.

Last week, the Washington Times reported that a contractor for the United Nations set up five polling stations throughout the United States. However, only one was set up west of the Mississippi, 900 miles away from two of the largest American Iraqi Christian communities.

While one polling site was established in Nashville for 3,000 Kurds, none were established for the 40,000 Iraqi Christians in northern California or the 25,000 Iraqi Christians in San Diego.

The UN contractor said it determined the polling sites based on State Department information. Reportedly, Iran has more polling stations than the U.S.

The Iraqi Christian community has now mobilized and is working on petitions and letters of protest. The California congressional delegation and the ChaldoAssyrian bishop have also taken action, but the UN contractor has not budged yet. Voting must take place before Jan. 30.