In order to put a stop to dirty war and to what it brings about with it like the ecological pollution, unsolved crimes, executions without a trail, massacres, and mass murders; we would like to share with you yet another pain to which everyday a new one is added in the region of Mesopotamia.

Following the 19th of November 2008, the media, especially EVRENSEL newspaper, has published a series of articles to draw attention to the fact that the Assyrian people who have lived in their homeland of Turabdin for over 5000 years are under pressure and in danger of extinction just like the Yezidi people.

Again on the same land we would like everyone to hear our voice, so that Hasankeyf in Batman may not be left under the water, we raise our voices so that all those who may hear may condemn the construction of the Ilısu Dam on the Tigris River. We believe that every culture brings variety and that the destruction of one culture is detrimental to all others; that is the freedom lost by one is freedom lost by all. We therefore seek a solution to this problem.

The latest scenario is from the 1600 years-old Mor Gabriel Monastery in Midyat - Mardin where the local village officials in order to create enmity between the ethnic groups of the area, (although they have no right to do this), have laid claim on the land that the local people themselves know that it is somehow the property of the monastery since the time of its founding. In fact, these village officials have stated to lay claim to the very land on which the monastery itself was built. It is obvious that they are threatening the existence of the monastery. The monastery is now involved in six different court cases of this kind.

The Mor Gabriel Monastery is an inheritance from the old Mesopotamia history to all of us. Think for how many thousands of years it has witnessed a fraternal life together with difficulties. Mesopotamia has been watered by the shedding of blood, suffering, annihilations, and persecution and it is time for it to produce flowers of peace. The Assyrian people are not trespassers. They should have the right to live in their homeland without fear and as other humans live. We invite those who believe we should not lose yet another shade of colour in this ancient land, to support us as the Izmir Council of Peace, regardless of religious faith, in this campaign for signatures called 'From Izmir to Mesopotamia' that we have started.