Occasional feature on parties and people in Iraq: Number 1 - the Iraq Pro-Democracy Party

LFIQ will occasionally post features such as this in order to widen debate about how Iraqis are making use of the UN process to rebuild and democratise Iraq. LFIQ does not necessarily endorse any groups featured. Readers are invited to send us details of other such groups.

Two brothers, Ali Fadhil and Mohammed Fadhil, have been writing their popular weblog www.IraqTheModel.com since November of 2003. Now they have established the Iraq Pro-Democracy Party and are leading a slate of 12 candidates in the January elections in Iraq.

The brothers said, “We believe that we represent an important segment of the Iraqi people that was never organized before under any category as a result of the oppression of the past regime. Now this segment has come to see the necessity to contribute to the building of a new Iraq in a way that is entirely different from the old ways that are still dominant in the Middle East and that are governed by religious fanaticism and pan-Arab nationalism”. Ali added, "We see that remaining silent is not an option in our battle towards democracy and freedom and that everyone who seeks a better future should take part in this battle".

Of the 12 candidates 7 are Health Professionals and 3 are teachers. To read about the policies of the Iraq Pro-Democracy Party, click here.

Information taken from the website of the Iraq Pro-Democracy Party - http://english.iraqdemparty.org/

Security

Although most parts of the country are enjoying relative peace and security, there are sections where this is not the case. Ba'athist, foreign terrorist and other anti-democracy forces need to be dealt with in a firm, forceful, and consistent manner. When dealing with anti-government forces the I.P.D.P. supports the following policies:

No one is above the law.

Anyone committing a crime is subject to arrest.

Never negotiate with terrorist, kidnappers and other criminals.

Continue and expand existing security operations to find and arrest those responsible for kidnappings, murders, and suicide bombers and other high crimes against the people.

Make it clear to Iraq's neighbours that attempts to destabilize Iraq will have serious consequences.

Economy & Jobs

Public service wages have increased as much as ten fold and in some cases one hundred times their previous levels. Private sector wages are also rising and the Iraqi dinar to US dollar exchange rate is trading at 30% above pre-war levels. While the economy is growing at its fastest rate in over 25 years it's important this rapid expansion continue. Obviously oil is our most important natural resource and managing this asset responsibly is critical to continuing economic growth. The I.P.D.P. supports the following economic policies:

Oil revenue accounting must be made public so that all Iraqis can observe how the money is being used.

The government shall work on recovering the oil money that was stolen by Saddam Hussein's regime and others under the United Nations Oil-For-Food program through the courts and international organizations.

Debt incurred during Saddam Hussein's regime should be deemed odious debt. The government should work with the United Nations and other world organizations to apply diplomatic pressure on Paris, Berlin, Moscow, and Arab nations have this debt forgiven.

Foreign investment should be encouraged with proper controls to ensure that jobs go to Iraqis whenever possible.

Education

The lack of education creates fanaticism making better education at all levels one of the most important long-term goals. The I.P.D.P. supports the following educational policies:

Provide a truthful and scientific curriculum for all schools.

Ensure the schools are properly funded and the accounting records made available to the public.

Healthcare

We can feel a considerable improvement in the health care situation in Iraq but its still far from what we are looking for. This will not happen without a full plan that studies the health care situation and evaluates the needs and how it can be promoted. The I.P.D.P. supports the following healthcare policies:

Ridding the health institutions from bureaucracy and the central control of the Healthcare Ministry. This inefficient bureaucratic structure has always hindered the progress of work as a result of the incapability of the executive directors of health to make even simple decisions without going back to the ministry.

Work with medically advanced countries around the world to provide health care scholarships. Iraqi students and health workers would be encouraged to go aboard and learn about advanced health policies and technologies and how to apply them in Iraq.

Raising the scientific knowledge and pay of healthcare workers.

Supporting and promoting health insurance to cover both minor cases and expensive procedures.

Federalism

The governorates of Iraq have suffered a lot of oppression and neglect at the hands of the successive central governments which lead to the loss of trust between Iraqis living in the governorates and any central government, and also led to a mass immigration from different governorates to Baghdad. Thus we see that federalism is the best solution to Iraq and that this should be based on geographical basis. A united federal Iraq will serve both the governorates as well as Baghdad and will strengthen Iraq's unity instead of weakening it.

Women's Rights

Women are playing a greater role in politics and other areas than ever before. Women were part of the Governing Council and there are currently five female Ministers which is a first for Iraq. The election rules for the National Assembly ensure that at least 25% of all delegates will be women. The I.P.D.P. supports the following policies for promoting Women's Rights:

Men and Women are to be treated equally under the law.

The participation of Women at all levels of government and business is to be unrestricted and encouraged by the government.