Iraqi Christians Are Denied Refuge in Europe

 

     

BRUSSELS( Belgium)– AP — Thousands of Iraqi Christians are being denied refuge in Europe while European Union nations argue over who is responsible to help them.

With the notable exception of Sweden, Western governments — wary of letting in a seemingly never-ending stream of refugees from various countries — are not prepared to accept large numbers of Iraqis.

But the Christians say returning to Iraq is tantamount to a death sentence. Many have been terrified by attacks like the kidnapping of a priest and the killing of another together with three parishioners in Mosul this month.

Iraqi Christians were mostly left alone during Saddam Hussein’s reign but are now a prime target of Islamic insurgents who call them “crusaders” whose real loyalty lies with U.S. troops.