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Many thanks to the blogger Hak Mao for the ‘Give Fascism the Finger’ icon on the left. We urge all our readers display it in their workplace.
The Independent reports that American troops killed four inmates and injured others in a riot at a prison in British-controlled southern Iraq. We agree with Bakhtiar Amin, Iraq’s human rights minister, who is quoted as saying, “If we are convinced there was no justification for the degree of force used then we want them to be tried. If there is a mistake, then those in charge should be brought to account.”
Joseph Braude at the New Republic says that election day in Iraq “must have been a rough day at the office for editors of the Arab world’s pro-government newspapers. How do you spin democratic elections in Iraq when your boss is an authoritarian ruler with a restive population?” See www.tnr.com
The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) have announced that Mr. Talib Khadim Al Tayee, the kidnapped President of the Iraqi Mechanics, Metalworkers & Printworkers Union (IMM&PU), has been released on 1 February 2005 in Baghdad.
Ann Clwyd MP gives an eye witness account of the heartwarming atmosphere on election day in Basra
We feared that something like this would happen. The so-called resistance is attacking the leadership of the emerging labour movement in Iraq and seeks to intimidate all workers. This brutal attack is just the latest in a long line that all labour movement organisations should condemn without delay. We all hope that Talib will be released. If you wish to send messages of support email abdullahmuhsin@iraqitradeunions.org. Gary Kent, Director LFIQ
Esteemed blogger Norman Geras writes on the lessons of Holocaust Memorial Day and Iraq