Reconstructing Iraq (1): Iraqi Civil Society Defends Minority Rights

Christian Iraq report April 20 on a two-day conference organised by Iraqi Commission for Civil Society Enterprises (CCSE) in Baghdad.

Iraqi NGOs representing Iraq's minorities and academics met to discuss the new constitution. "Through this conference, we have tried to highlight the fact that Iraqi minorities have the right to be involved in the preparation and writing of the new constitution to ensure our rights are the same as other groups such as the Muslims and Christians (...) We want to have a clear vision through the media and through the people who believe in our rights as Iraqi citizens and [we want] civil society foundations that care about minority rights said the director CCSE, Basel al-Azawi. Participants included Mandaean Democracy Congregation (MDC) and the Assyrian Women's Union (AWU). (AJ)