Statement About Bridge Stampede Catastrophe

In an interview with “Al-Arabiya” satellite TV channel, about the catastrophic bridge stampede today in Baghdad that killed hundreds of Iraqi citizens while participating in a religious procession, the Iraqi Communist Party leader Mr. Hameed Majid Mousa said that “evil elements and terrorists want to deny the people their freedom to conduct their religious ceremonies, and also to carry out more acts of sabotage and spread fear among citizens.”

Mousa blamed what happened on “the poor security and political conditions, and the bad administration of such big religious events”. He said that “early security measures should have been taken to protect the lives of citizens and organise their processions. What happened is an indication of irresponsible attitude by the relevant authorities. We all know that there are terrorists who lie in wait for such events and prepare to ambush the people. Why is it that no preventive measures were taken before the event? Why are the processions not organised?”.

He pointed out that “the responsibility also lies on those who are organising these processions. They should make the people aware of administrative aspects of the religious procession, and ensure proper schemes for marching in order to prevent stampede and chaos. This is a big tragedy, and we speak about it with deep pain. We wish that it never happens again in future events”.

In response to a question about the efforts of the Iraqi Communist Party to enhance Iraqi people’s unity in the face of attempts to split their ranks, Mousa said that “our efforts are broad and multifarious, on all fronts, to close ranks, overcome old problems, open up a new page for the Iraqi people, consolidate ties of brotherhood and the sense of citizenship and equality among citizens, against sectarianism and sectarian bigotry, against terrorism and terrorists. We strive in all fields, whether in the National Assembly, or in relations with political parties of all tendencies, to promote the spirit of citizenship, upholding national unity and the freedom of the citizen.”

ITF slams new Iraqi crackdown on unions

International Transport Workers Federation press release

24 August 2005

The ITF has condemned a new decree in Iraq that crushes trade unions’ right to operate free of government interference or harassment.

The decree, passed on 7 August, revokes decisions taken on union rights by Iraq’s provisional government and permits the control and confiscation of trade union monies by the current authorities. It also states that the right to carry out union activities is to be reviewed.

In a letter dated 24 August, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft, told Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari: “We are concerned that control of Iraqi trade unions’ monies might lead to the weakening of the Iraqi unions’ capabilities,” and added: “This is considered a clear breach of the International Labour Organization (ILO) core labour standards on freedom of association and a direct attack on human rights in Iraq.”

He also called on the government to discuss any future review of trade union activities with the unions themselves and raised concerns that laws dating from 1987, forbidding union organisation in the public sector, remain in place.

Cockroft pledged to raise these issues with the ILO through the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

Commenting on the situation, Bilal Malkawi, ITF Arab World Offices said: “While the ITF, Global Union Federations, and many international trade union organisations are working intensively to support Iraqi workers, the government is taking this action instead of helping unions to face the challenges ahead. I am really shocked by these measures, but I know for sure that the Iraqi unions are in a strong enough position to keep moving forward.”

(Hat Tip, IFTU web site)

Iraqi exhibition in London, 22 September

The Iraqi Community Association and the Evelyn Oldfield Unit have great pleasure in inviting you to attend the Iraqi community exhibition as part of the Refugee Community Project on Thursday 22nd September 2005, 7-9 pm, at Manilowa Room, Polish Social & Cultural Association, 238 - 246 King Street, London, W6 0RF.

The Refugee Community History Project is documenting the history of selected individuals from 15 refugee communities in London, through the collection of oral testimony. The project is being run by the Evelyn Oldfield Unit and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Trust for London.

This exhibition will celebrate the achievements of the Iraqis and highlight their contribution to the life of London. Over ten personalities, representing all walks of life and reflecting the diversity of our community have taken part in this pioneering work. The exhibition aims to promote a good image of refugees and present positive role models for young people. The exhibition programme will also include Iraqi lute music (oud), ancient Mesopotamian storyteller and Iraqi food.

Statement About Draft Constitution: Iraqi Communist Party

The text of the adopted draft constitution of the republic of Iraq, which will be put to a public referendum in mid October 2005, was read out yesterday in the National Assembly in Baghdad.

The declaration of this document, and the forthcoming referendum, constitute an important development in the on-going political process in the direction of consolidating democracy and its institutions, completing the transitional period, restoring security and normal conditions, and achieving our country’s full sovereignty and independence.

The draft constitution has emerged out of a protracted process, due to the fact that it has taken place under difficult conditions in our country, on political, security and socio-economic levels, as well as a balance of forces that has developed out of abnormal and exceptional circumstances. It is the outcome of a struggle between different visions and opinions with regard to the future of Iraq.

All this had its direct and deep impact on the process of drafting the constitution that we had wanted, and strived for, to be one that enjoys consensus among the various constituents of our people: ethnic, religious, confessional and political, and also express a spirit of equal citizenship for Iraqis.

While viewing positively the draft constitution in its general context, we stress at the same time our reservation regarding many of its articles, especially those that, in some of their clauses and formulation, encroach upon the desired civil-democratic character of the constitution, and those that restrict women rights and do not allow them to achieve equality with men.

Finally, we had hoped that the process of writing the constitution, presenting it to the people and for referendum, would take place in a more transparent manner and in more conformity with the need for respecting parliamentary traditions and norms.

Talking Iraq

The Radio 4 programme Talking Poliics is worth listening to for a debate on the balance between neo-cons and realists in Washington and for a fascinating debate on Iraq’s future.

The left and terrorism

The Labour magazine Progress says that liberal left knee-jerk anti-Americanism is pushing it into the arms of those who oppose its cherished values of freedom and democracy

Latest on Iraqi constitution

The BBC carries a full version of the latest version of the Iraqi constitution.

Recovering the marshlands

In today’s Times Richard Besston examines the recovery of the marshlands of Iraq.

The battle over the Iraqi constitution

Constitutional expert Brendan O’Leary wonders if the dominant European vision on contemporary Iraq distorts political and moral sense. He concludes that The Bush administration has neither been a competent imperialist, as suggested by its European critics, nor an intelligent democracy-exporter, as claimed by some of its supporters. If it had been comprised of the ruthless oil-stealing imperialists its opponents imagine then dividing Iraq, and having a sovereign Kurdistan and a sovereign “Shi‘astan” able to supply large amounts of oil to the world-market would have been its smart strategic choice. In short, it has not sought to do what Osama bin Laden has said it is trying to do. If, by contrast, as it has claimed, the Bush administration had been interested in promoting a democratic Iraq, and transforming the Middle East, then it would have worked out a long time ago that it should support and broker a settlement between Kurdistan and the United Iraqi Alliance, while encouraging them to make a settlement that was fair to Sunni Arabs – which is not the same as supporting their so-called leaders’ unappeasable demands. As negotiations splutter toward the second deadline it is past time that outsiders, especially Americans and Europeans, reframe their thinking, morally and politically. I fear, however, that it will be too late. It won’t only be the Americans who should be held responsible if there is a full-scale constitutional train-wreck. (Hat-tip Normblog)

Extracts from the draft constitution for Iraq

Article One

The Republic of Iraq is an independent state.

Article Two

The political system is republican, parliamentary, democratic and federal.

1. Islam is a main source for legislation.
a. No law may contradict Islamic standards.
b. No law may contradict democratic standards.
c. No law may contradict the essential rights and freedoms mentioned in this constitution.
2. This constitution guarantees the Islamic identity of the Iraqi people and guarantees all religious rights; all persons are free within their ideology and ideological practices.
3. Iraq is part of the Islamic world and the Arabs are part of the Arab nation.
4. Arabic and Kurdish are the two official languages and Iraqis have the right to teach their sons their mother language like the Turkomen and Assyrian in the government educational institutes.

Article Five

Power is transferred peacefully through democratic ways.

Article Seven

1. Any organisation that follow a racist, terrorist, extremist, sectarian-leaning ideology or circulates or justifies such beliefs is banned, especially Saddam's Ba'ath Party in Iraq and its symbols under any name.

2. The government is committed to fighting terrorism in all its forms, and works to protect Iraqi soil from being a centre or passage for terrorist activities.

Article 35

a. Human freedom and dignity are guaranteed.
b. No person can be detained or interrogated without a judicial order.
c. All kinds of physical and psychological torture and inhumane treatment are prohibited.

Article 36

The State guarantees:
1. Freedom of expression by all means.
2. Freedom of the press, printing, advertising and publishing.

Article 37

Freedom to establish political groups and organisations.

Article 39

Iraqis are free to abide in their personal lives according to their religion, sects, beliefs or choice. This should be organised by law.

Article 66

A presidential candidate should:
1. Be Iraqi by birth and the offspring of two Iraqi parents.
2. Be no less than 40-years-old.
3. Have a good reputation and political experience and be known as honest and faithful to the nation.

Article 75

The prime minister should have all the same qualifications and should have a university degree or its equivalent and should not be less than 35- years-old.

Article 107

Federal authorities should preserve Iraq's unity, security, independence and sovereignty and its democratic federal system.

Article 109

Oil and gas are the property of all the Iraqi people in regions and provinces.

Article 110

The central government administers oil and gas extracted from current wells, along with governments of the producing regions and provinces, on the condition that revenues are distributed in a way that suits population distribution around the country.

Article 135

This constitution guarantees the administrative, political, cultural and educational rights of different ethnic groups such as Turkomen, Chaldean, Assyrians and other groups.

Article 144

The Iraq Supreme Criminal Court continues its work as a legislative, independent commission to look into the crimes of the former dictatorial regime and its symbols, and the Council of Deputies has the right to annul it after it ends its duties.

Article 151

No less than 25 per cent of Council of Deputies seats go to women.

Shoulder to shoulder with Iraq

Defence Secretary John Reid in today’s Times
rebuts pessimists and concludes that Iraqis now have a genuine opportunity to live in freedom and determine their own future. The people of that nation have a chance of achieving a place in Middle Eastern history; free, democratic and prosperous. They will decide how that democracy unfolds, not us. But we have helped to give them the chance and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with them as they do it, and until they do it.

Iraqi Women Fight for Rights in the New Constitution

The Iraqi Communist Party newspaper reports a recent gathering in Baghdad.

Amir Taheri on the Iraqi constitution

Amir Taheri in the Times wonders if the current constitution-making in Iraq could become a litmus test of democratic success in the Middle East.

The IFTU and the Constitution

The IFTU here outlines its views on the new Iraqi constitution

UN Security Council slams terror in Iraq

Resolution 1618 (2005) strongly criticises terrorism in Iraq and reaffirms its unwavering support for the Iraqi people in their political transition. The full text follows.

The Security Council,

Reaffirming all its previous relevant resolutions on Iraq, in particular resolution 1546 (2004) of 8 June 2004,

Reaffirming its unwavering support for the Iraqi people in their political transition, as outlined in resolution 1546 (2004), further reaffirming Iraq’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and calling upon the international community to stand by the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability and democracy,

Reaffirming also the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant resolutions, in particular its resolutions 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, 1566 (2004) of 8 October 2004, and 1267 (1999) of 25 October 1999 and subsequent resolutions,

Reaffirming the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts,

Commending the courage of the Iraqi people who are working bravely in support of the political and economic transition currently taking place in spite of the grave threat of terrorism,

Welcoming the active steps undertaken by the Government of Iraq towards achieving national dialogue and unity and encouraging continuation of these efforts,

1. Condemns without reservation and in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks that have taken place in Iraq, and regards any act of terrorism as a threat to peace and security;

2. Takes note particularly of the shameless and horrific attacks in recent weeks which have resulted in over one hundred deaths, including thirty-two children, employees of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, and a member and an expert adviser of the Commission charged with drafting a permanent constitution for a new, democratic Iraq, Mijbil Sheikh Isa and Dhamin Hussin Ubaidi;

2

S/RES/1618 (2005)

3. Further notes with great concern that attacks on foreign diplomats in Iraq have increased in number, and have resulted in the murder or kidnapping of such diplomats;

4. Expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of these terrorist attacks and their families, and to the people and Government of Iraq;

5. Affirms that acts of terrorism must not be allowed to disrupt Iraq’s political and economic transition currently taking place, including the constitutional drafting process and its referendum, outlined in resolution 1546 (2004);

6. Reaffirms the obligations of Member States under resolutions 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999, 1333 (2000) of 19 December 2000, 1390 (2002) of 16 January 2002, 1455 (2003) of 17 January 2003, 1526 (2004) of 30 January 2004, and 1617 (2005) of 29 July 2005 and other relevant international obligations with respect, inter alia, to terrorist activities in and from Iraq or against its citizens, and specifically strongly urges Member States to prevent the transit of terrorists to and from Iraq, arms for terrorists, and financing that would support terrorists, and re-emphasizes the importance of strengthening the cooperation of the countries in the region, particularly neighbours of Iraq, in this regard;

7. Urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001), to cooperate actively in efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these barbaric acts;

8. Expresses its utmost determination to combat terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations;

9. Calls on the international community to support fully the Government of Iraq in exercising its responsibilities to provide protection to the diplomatic community, United Nations staff and other foreign civilian personnel working in Iraq;

10. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5246th meeting, on August 4, 2005

TUC solidarity report

The full report of the TUC Conference on solidarity with Iraqi workers is here.

Harry Barnes address to TUC conference on solidarity with Iraqi trade unions, February 2005

Harry Barnes MP, Labour Friends of Iraq Joint President

Everyone here is interested in assisting Iraqi unions but there are many in the labour movement who don’t even know that there are trade unions in Iraq. We have to get this message across and increase action in their support.

Everyone here knows their history from how the Labour Representation Committee was formed when initially only two Labour MPs were elected, the Taff Vale and Osborne judgements against the trade unions and so on.

The Iraqi movement also has its history from organising the docks and oil industry after the First World War to the organisation of intellectual forces such as doctors and teachers, to the overthrow of the feudal monarchical system in 1958 by the Free Officers’ Movement with popular support.

Iraq was influenced by the UK until the Baghdad Pact in 1955. I was a soldier on national service in Basra in 1955/6. Back then a million people marched on the May Day march in 1959 out of a population of about 14 million people.

But then there was a series of coups and counter-coups which led to Saddam’s totalitarian state and his controlled yellow unions. Public sector unions were banned and union leaders were tortured and murdered. Clandestine networks were established. They opposed the war and thought there were internally based alternatives. It is better for people themselves in struggle to create their own futures.

The Ba’athist laws continue. Trade unions in the public sector are technically illegal and there is a need for new laws to allow trade union activity. But freedom of organisation and association are threatened by terrorists as we saw with the terrible murder of Hadi Saleh.

The unions also face the problem of rip-off capitalism being imposed as it was in Russia after the fall of communism. The unions need training in industrial relations as well as computers and mobiles.

The elections present the beginnings of real possibilities for change with, in relation to the foreign troops, Iraq and its Parliament defining what they want. But democracy is more than voting; it is about the rights of unions, women, youth and ex-prisoners groups to speak out. As groups will for better schools and hospitals.

We have set up Labour Friends of Iraq to help provide solidarity with such groups as they take control over their own lives. And change in Iraq can lead to change in the whole of the Middle East.

Sami Zubaida on Iraq, Islam and 7/7

Many commentators regard the London terror attacks as Tony Blair's payback for Britain's role in Iraq. Sami Zubaida assesses the evidence.