The Hague (AINA) -- In response to yesterday's coordinated church and monastery bombings in Iraq (AINA 1, 2), five members of the Dutch Parliament addressed questions to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Verhagen (CDA). The questions were submitted by Peter Omtzigt (Christian Democratic Party, CDA), Van Gennip (CDA), Eijsink (Social Democratic Party, PvdA), Voordewind (Christian Union Party) and Van der Staay (Calvinist Political Party, SGP). The MPs asked the FM the following:

1. Have you heard and taken notice of articles, in which attacks on seven churches and monatries in Iraq on january 6, 2008 are reported? (sources: AINA.org, "At Least Seven Churches Were Bombed in Iraq en www.asianews.it , "Coordinated attacks against Christian Churches in Baghdad and Mosul)
2. Do you share the opinion that attacks on religious places are a serious attempt to scare a community and paralyze it?
3. How large was the Christian community in Iraq in the year 2000? How many people of the Christian community still live in Iraq and how many have fled the country?
4. Do you share the opinion that is desirable that all ethnic and religious groups in Iraq know that they are safe and protected in their own country and feel free to express and live their faith and way of life?
5. What can and shall you do against attacks on religious places in Iraq and what possibilities does the Dutch government have to promote an inter-religious dialogue, for instance through the European Union or the United Nations?

The bombings caused property damage but no fatalities. One man suffered minor injuries.

This marks the 24th time that Assyrian churches have been bombed in Iraq. The first bombing occurred on June 26, 2004. Forty churches and monasteries have been bombed since then (see here), including the seven from yesterday.