Ahmad Jaradat
Alternative Information Center- Palestine

The 2013 edition of the World Social Forum took place between the 26 to the 30th of March in Tunisia. A lot can be said about World Social Forums, as always, but this one event will for sure mark history.
As Tawfeeg Ben Abdallah Coordinator of the African Social Movement and member of the WSF International Council stated : «  This is one of the most important international event that hapened in Tunisia since the independence. » And indeed, the global conssensus on the success of the forum is the best proof of what a turning point this Forum is for the social movements of the Arab world.

For the first time since it’s creation in 2001, the World Social Forum was held in an Arab country. This could be the result of chance or good luck for Tunisia and the region, but the running of the Forum in that place, and at that time, is much more the result of deep political changes.
If this event will for sure give a huge push to social movements in the region, the only fact of it’s organisation is the result of changes on the ground.

World Social Forum 2013

As Kamal Lahbib, Chairman of the Morrocan Social Forum and Member of the International Committee said :«  To do the Forum here, in the frame of the challenges of the country and the region, is a success by itself ».
The ongoing struggle of the Arab people for democracy, and the death of Tunisia’s leftist figure, Chokri Belaid, just a month before the event, made it a bigger challenge for the organizers. Putting aside the workshops and assemblies, the only presence of a World Social Forum in this tense political situation is, in itself, the success of the Forum.

And not only did the forum took place where the very beginnig of the Arab revolutions took place, but it’s activities were a comprehensive acheivement.

First of all the youth, especially the Tunisian one, played a major role in the activities. Their presence and actions highlighted their critical importance in such events and in Social Movements in general. The Forum taking place during a University break, students carried out the organisation on their campus brilliantly, making this Forum not only a success regarding it’s content but also regarding it’s coordination.

The Forum began on a flying start. The opening march, that took place on Bourguiba Avenue, was attended by 30 000 people. Without even mentioning the great symbol and tribute to the Tunisian revolutonnaries, this March set the tone and the atmosphere of a productive and encouraging Social Forum.

Moreover, the attendance of a various range of Civil Society Organisations, coming from all over the world and from different social economical backgrounds, gived a real international and pluralistic dimension to the Forum. The geographical central location of Tunisia on the globe played an important role, allowing the less well-off organisations to reach the meeting point.

Demonstration at World Social Forum in Tunisia

Core issues, such as women, human rights or environnement were disscussed but two major topics must be highlighted.
First, Political Islam. The subject took an important part in the disscussions. The meaning and definition of the notion of State, as a structure, as a nation, as political concept, were debated.
And here, the methodology also changed.  If previous World Social Forums had been criticized for being to theoretical, the one in Tunis dealed with issues concretely and on a political level. This time around  topics such as democracy were addressed in a concrete manner, taking in account facts on the ground and analysing real cases.

Second, the organization of the World Social Forum in  the country and in the region where the process of social and political critical changes.
Democratic transformations took place in the reality of difficult and complicated factors. This situation is directly linked to decades of oppression and dictatorships, supported by strong imperialism in order to control the capabilities of the region and its resources. In that respect, a World Social Forum in Tunisia is the expression of a support and international solidarity to social movements in this specific country, and the region in general. Their struggle for justice, democracy and human rights has been put in the forefront of the Forum and set as an example to continue the struggle.

As Gustave Massiah, International Committee Member noted, « This is one of the strongest Social Forum in the history of World Social Forums ! ». With great memories in our heads, we have now to go forward in our struggles, work for favorable poitlical-social changes and never forget our slogan : « Another world is possible, another world is needed. »

We can conclude that the World Social Forum in Tunisia was an important turning point in the course of the World Social Forums. It reinvigorated the work and vision of the Social Movements, as well as the power of interaction and exchange of ideas of civil society on the international level.

Boycotts and Protests

Provincial elections were held in two thirds of the Iraqi governorates this year on the 20th of April. The central government chose to postpone elections in Anbar and Ninevah, the two governorates that have been the site of major anti-government protests. The deeply divided governorate of Kirkuk has never held provincial elections. In addition, Duhok, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, the three governorates that comprise the Kurdistan Region, conduct their local elections on a different schedule. Examination of the results of these elections, the first provincial elections since the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, reveals a great deal about what Iraqis are feeling at this critical moment in the history of their nation.
In all 12 of the 18 governorates where citizens went to the polls, participation was extremely low; less than 50% of those eligible to vote actually cast ballots. In Baghdad, the turnout was only 33%! A “silent majority” of Iraqis chose to boycott the elections as a way of protesting the political crises and sectarian tensions that Iraqi is currently facing. Other Iraqis chose to protest by handing in blank ballots or in more “creative” ways such as writing in the name of their favorite football team. This latter tactic was especially popular among young Iraqis. Unfortunately these “negative” protest tactics in the end achieve little in terms of ousting the current corrupt, sectarian regime. At best they are a way for people to express their frustration and hopelessness that there are few good alternatives to the sectarian and Islamist parties that have dominated Iraqi politics since 2003.

Hope for Change

But others, even though they are still a minority, tried to express their desire for change – especially an end to sectarianism and corruption, reform of the judicial system, and respect for human rights – as they cast their votes. They had some significant successes. What made their victories possible was a change in the provincial election law, which had been heavily biased in favor of “big lists” – the lists of candidates from the large, established parties. Reform of the election law was the hard-won result of civil society activists whose campaigns, like “Do not steal my voice”, which was launched in 2012 by 40 NGOs, succeeded in pushing the Iraqi parliament to make changes. The new rules to calculate and distribute seats in the provincial councils give the “small lists” a greater opportunity to win seats and become part of the political process. Indeed, lists representing very local parties, along with some civil and secular parties captured 130 out of the total 378 seats in the provincial councils. The civil and democratic list led by the Iraqi Communist Party and other leftists won a total of 10 seats.
The traditional powers and parties also won seats, however. The State of Law Coalition (led by al-Maliki) was a winner and loser at the same time! Al-Maliki’s coalition won the largest number of seats: 97. But consider this; that is 29 fewer seats than the coalition won in the previous elections in 2009, and al-Maliki’s party, the Dawa Party, received only a small minority of the votes going to the coalition. The al-Muwatin Coalition (led by al-Hakim) came in second but is actually considered a winner since it increased the number of its seats to 60. The al-Ahrar-Sadrist Movement (led by Muqtada al-Sadr) came in third with 44; while Motahdon (led by al-Nujaifi) and al-Iraqya (led by Allawi) combined came in fifth with 40.
Still the victories of the “small lists” can create a new reality in the provincial councils. The newly elected political parties can have an impact on how issues are framed and on what legislation is proposed and passed. The challenge now is to maintain pressure for expanding political participation and allowing more new voices from new parties to be heard and to win elections. The successful strategies that civil society used must be employed again. Positive energy for change must be maintained during the national parliamentary elections coming in January 2014.

Renewed Violence Shows the Iraqi Government has Learned Nothing


The choice of the Iraqi government to postpone elections in Anbar and Ninevah governorates was widely criticized by Iraqis and the international community. The failure to ever conduct local elections in Kirkuk prolongs the crisis there. When some governorates do not participate in local electoral politics it creates divisions among Iraqis, further fracturing the sense of national unity. Leaders in Baghdad made an unwise and destructive response to the increase in anti-government protests in western and northern Iraq.
Iraqis have suffered terribly from the violence of war and sectarian conflict during the past 10 years. That the government chose to employ violence again, calling in the Iraqi army to suppress the protests is shameful. In Hawija, which is in the governorate of Kirkuk, clashes with security forces led to a massacre that left more than 50 peaceful protesters dead and increased sectarian tensions spurring fears of new sectarian war. The government crackdown gave extremist groups justification for their own violent tactics and their claim that violence is the only way to overthrow the existing government.
What is needed instead is evidence that the government can be transformed nonviolently. What is needed is for more political parties promoting programs and policies that the people support to enter the political arena. All Iraqis must have an opportunity to express their wishes at the polls. The political system in Iraq must be liberated from the parties that are fostering sectarianism and conflict, so that democracy can grow.

Hassan Jumaa Awad, President of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions

ICSSI – May the 3^rd  2013

The legal case against the trade unionist and human rights defender, Hassan Juma Awad has been postponed yet again, this time to May 19^th  2013 again because the South Oil Company [SOC] lawyer failed to present any evidence or witnesses. During Yesterday’s hearing the Basra court judge asked again the [SOC] lawyer to present evidence about the damages caused by the oil workers’ strike and whether the company had any witnesses who could confirm the allegations of these damages. [SOC] lawyer stated that the responses from the Ministry of oil didn’t arrive even if [SOC] had sent a request with a  person to the Ministry in Baghdad.

The judge decided to give a last chance to the SOC till the 19^th of May and  confirmed that: all what he have seen in this case is about Hassan’s activities in demonstrations that are grunted by the Iraqi constitutions, and that these demonstrations were peaceful and end by list of demands about workers rights. So if no new facts or information will be provided by the SOC, he probably will close the case.

We need to maintain our solidarity and advocacy efforts towards the Iraqi government to drop the charges against Hassan. These charges are an unprecedented use of the Iraqi penal code number 111 of 1969 against a labor activist; it was previously used to repress state employees during the Saddam era. Hassan faces imprisonment if the court finds that as a result of his actions, “the interests of the state [were] harmed.”

But our pressure can make a difference. We were able to hand deliver our letter with your signatures demanding an end to attacks on trade to more Iraqi officials, full list is provided below:

1. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
2. Chair of the Iraqi Council of Representatives [CoR], the Iraqi Parliament
3. Minister of Oil Abdul Karim Luaibi
4. Ministry of Justice
5. Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
6. Minister of Human Rights Mohammed Shia Sudanei
7. Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights in the Iraqia political bloc
8. Chairman of the Legal Committee in the CoR, Kurdistan Alliance bloc
9. Chairman of the Finance Committee in the CoR, State of Law bloc
10. Office of the Economic Committee in the CoR, State of Law bloc
11. The Judge of the Basra Court
12. Relations Committee in the [CoR], the Iraqi Parliament
13. Number of members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives [CoR], the Iraqi Parliament
14. Supreme Judicial Council
15. The information department of the Cabinet
16. Cabinet Relations Department

Our campaign must continue; more and more national and international unions, labor federations and nongovernmental organizations are signing our letter to Prime Minister Al-Maliki. We will update the list of signatures soon. Meanwhile, if your organization can help to get more union and organizational endorsements, this will strengthen our support.

All new organization are invited to sign the letter at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OMdXlPdVVC2RjIG1Q2Czb-r-zzaNJzqblBW4pJuL-is/viewform

If you want to indicate individual support sign the petition at:

http://org.salsalabs.com/o/2488/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=13006

]]> http://www.iraqicivilsociety.org/archives/1751?lang=ar/feed&lang=ar 0 http://www.iraqicivilsociety.org/archives/1737?lang=ar http://www.iraqicivilsociety.org/archives/1737?lang=ar#comments Sun, 12 May 2013 14:01:04 +0000 ICSSI Networking Editor http://www.iraqicivilsociety.org/?p=1737 “There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. And we are here for the long haul.” – Hoda Elsadda

Zhiyan group representatives are never satisfied; they never rest when it comes to women’s issues. Last week they had a press conference to release results of a study about the impact of the so called “Amnesty Law” in cases of violence against women. The week before, they were in Kalar, Germian, to follow up the case of Nigar Rahim; a 15 year old raped by one of her brothers and murdered by another. I am not able to keep up with all of their work as I have an important role in documenting their work for our english speaking readers. Their meetings, events are always in Kurdish, but they always keep me involved despite the language barrier. I think is extremely important to have their work connected to the broader women rights struggle.

The meeting in Kalar was very positive, six representatives from Zhiyan group met with the investigator in the case of Nigar Rahim, along with many representatives of women organizations in Kalar. The organizations in Kalar expressed their readiness to be more active in Zhiyan group and to this end they selected a coordinator for the Germian area.

Last year, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani established an investigation committee to follow up the case of Nigar. The group was composed by the case investigator, a representative from NGO’s, a representative from the High Committee of Women and a representative from the Directorate to Trace Violence Against Women (DTVAW). The group wrote a 2-page paper with recommendations about Nigar’s case and emphasized the need for a women’s shelter in Germian. Until now, the Prime Minister has not answered the committee regarding their recommendations.

The outcome of the meeting in Germian was very good, with NGO’s wanting to organize a demonstration to demand shelters in the area and the commitment to be present in the court hearings of Nigar’s case.

Zhiyan group also organized a press conference on May 5th in Culture Cafe, Suleimaniya. Under the title: “No to the release of women murders under the general Amnesty Law”, Zhyan group presented a new report which focuses on the release of women murders under the general Amnesty Law. The amnesty law has been controversial among various sectors of civil society, including women groups. The law is affecting women victims of violence in a significant way.

In the press conference, two members of Zhyan group presented the report which was prepared by DHRD. On 10th October 2012 a short version of this report was submitted to the presidency of Kurdish Parliament warning them about the dangers of this law on the women’s [rights] situation but there was no positive reaction .

Zhyan group reported that 7 women murders were released because of this law among them the father of Sakar, a teacher who was killed by her father in 2012 .

The report reveals that perpetrators that are released under the amnesty law continue to commit crimes. This is the third time since 2003 that the amnesty law is in place. Women activists explained that honor killing is excluded from the amnesty process but that is easy to classify honor killings as another type of crime, They explained that the law is politically motivated is being implemented during the election process in order to buy votes. Zhiyan group members expressed the negative attitude that judges have towards women groups. In some instances when members of Zhiyan group attend the court hearings they are “laughed at” by lawyers or others because they are sure that perpetrators will “go out under the amnesty law”. In the recent case of Sakar’s father, Zhiyan group submitted evidence and testimony for the case, all which the court took for granted, even alleging falsification of the testimony, all of which Zhiyan group denies.

Zhiyan Group is now following up on various cases of honor killing in Kurdistan, using the court system, trying to implement laws that are currently approved but that in practice are not exercised by the police, judges, courts etc.

In a highly patriarchal and tribal society, where tribe and clan allegiance run parallel to the justice system, it is difficult to seek justice for women and is easy to get discouraged, but with Zhiayn group advocacy a new door has opened for women’s justice in Iraq and Kurdistan. With the media and the society watching the developments of these cases, it is hard for the government to ignore that women issues are at the forefront of human rights issues. There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel and women’s groups are not going to give up that easily.

Notes: “According to non-official data, since 1991 about 10,000 have been killed for different reasons of so called “honor”. According to the Iraqi penal code in case a male member of the family kill a woman he can get less charge as exception under so called honor killing. In Iraqi Kurdistan this article of penal code was amended and no more women murderers benefit from any exception. This is a big improvement and is why activists from Zhyan group are advocating for the implementation of the law “

Kids enjoying a Sunday afternoon picnic by the river in Hasankeyf.

The town of Hasankeyf, located at the intersection of Mesopotamia and Anatolia, is a small village of 2,900 people on the banks of the Tigris River. Mesopotamia, from the Greek “the land between the two rivers”.  After the Arab conquest, the land was divided into two: the south was called Sevad or Iraq, and the north was called Al Jazeera- “island”. Excavation in Hasankeyf Cairn proved that this town was part of the Neolithic revolution, taking Hasankeyf 11,500 years back in history. For this reason it has been shortlisted for the Europa Nostra List of “the 7 most endangered”.

Hasankeyf in History

Hasankeyf was one of the major stops on the transport route during medieval times, that started from Diyarbakir, passing through Cizre and Mosul to Baghdad. This was only because of the Tigris River, which is now under threat by the construction of Ilisu Dam, on a region that once was the beginning of civilization. It was also here in Hasankeyf were Islam set its roots in Anatolia, making the region around Hasankeyf one of the most important historical sites for the Islamic world. Many rulers and conquerors passed through Hasankeyf, which reached its peak and developed its true identity between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries under the rule of the Artuqids (1102-1132) and Ayyubids. The bridge built by the Artuqids in Hasankeyf stands as the most magnificent example of the medieval period.

Artukid Bridge-12th century, Artukid. This majestic bridge was key to the city’s success as a regional trading center. The 12 carvings of human figures on hte central pylons are intriguing examples of Seljuk art (Cevik 56)

When Politics meets Archeology

There have been historical sites that have been already flooded, notably the roman city of Zeugma, near Gaziantep, which was submerged by Birecik dam on the Euphrates, the city was an important center for the Romans. When the dam lake started to sink the city, with some of the “most extraordinary examples to survive from the ancient world”. Some of the world’s top restorers arrived from Italy to rescue them from the floodwaters. Now you can visit the “Atlantis” underwater city and the historical park/museum that was built which displays the ancient mosaics. The Zeugma Mosaic Museum, at a cost of 30 million dollars has a collection of the rescued mosaics. Now visitors are able to see the carefully excavated buildings and streets, just 50 yards from the lake created by the dam reservoir there is a shiny $1.5-million multi level structure constructed to protect the remains of five Roman houses.

Hasankeyf meets 9 out of 10 of UNESCO’s criteria for a World Heritage Site. Rules from the WHC say that the only legitimate entity to propose a site is a government. In this case Turkey is not interested to apply for Hasankeyf, as this will put in jeopardy the biggest hydroelectric project on the Tigris River, Ilisu Dam. Prof. Adnan Çevik puts it this way: “Despite Hasankeyf survival of several uprisings, invasions and wars, escaping the Mongolian invasion, resisting neglect and chaos during the Ilhanli Governor’s period and consequently managing to heal all its wounds,  is now facing annihilation by the Ilisu dam project. It is not only Hasankeyf that will be flooded but also our architectural and cultural tradition; our history and identity.”

Zeynel Bey Tomb, Akkoyunlu, 15th Century. This monument is a rare, if not unique example of Timurid architecture in Anatolia, with onion dome, cylindrical exterior and octagonal interior. The large Arabic calligrams in deep blue tiles, wit h the names of Allah-Mohamed-Ali, reflect the intermingling elements today associated with Sunni-Shi’a branches of Islam.

The area of Hasankeyf was declared an archaeological site in 1978. Yet it is threatened to be flooded by the Ilisu dam, The project is built 80 km. downstream of Hasankeyf and the dam lake will cover all of the lower city. However, a scheme for relocation/protection of the monuments against inundation has not been researched, planned or approved. The Tigris River has been diverted through tunnels at the dam site, but still no concrete plan is in place for the sites protection and conservation. The collection of structures in Hasankeyf represents a unique collection of cultural assets in good state of preservation in one place that is valuable to those living in Modern Turkey, Greece, Iran, Syria, Iraq and beyond. In addition to its cultural value, Hasankeyf is unique for its biological diversity. A 2012 study by Murat Biricik and Recep Karakan recorded 133 species of birds, 18 of which are threatened species. The value of biodiversity is protected by 1992 Convention on Biodiversity to which Turkey is a signatory.

Hiking is one of many outdoor activities that you can enjoy in Hasankeyf. This is just part of the view from Hasankeyf and the Tigris river from one of the canyons. Hasankeyf Ingathering

Meet me in Hasankeyf

Together with a delegation from Iraqis from Nature Iraq and ICSSI-Save the Tigris Campaign,  and internationals working in Iraq, we joined the 3rd Hasankeyf Ingathering “hosted jointly by by Doga Dernegi, Hasankeyf Matters and Nature Iraq. The ingathering is meant to promote Hasankeyf’s potential as a world class tourism site, but most importantly, to link locals and internationals together to share ideas on how to make the issue of Hasankeyf known to the rest of the world and to present Hasankeyf as a source for scholarship, cross-cultural understanding and sustainable economic development.

Enjoying breakfast at Hasbace during the Hasankeyf Ingathering, A group of locals and internationals including a delegation from Iraq.

On Friday night, after dinner at Hasbahce, we watched Hasankeyf Life in Limbo, a documentary by Sakae Ishikawa, that we were very honored to have with us in Hasankeyf. John Crofoot from Hasankeyf Matters presented the program for the weekend, which included a scavenger hunt, a video contest, canyon walks and documentary watching and discussions. The program also included hiking, and canyon walks, early bird watching, and art workshops with children, and drinking tea and chatting with Hasankeyf women.

Exploring the town means to go back in history to visit to visit the Ayyubids, through Hasankeyf’s Rizk and Koç mosque, Suleiman’s mosque, Zeynel Bey Tomb, hiking through its amazing canyons, and meeting the local “çoban” or shepherd, and exploring the thousands of caves carved into the limestone cliffs overlooking the Tigris River.

View of the Hasankeyf Bridge from one of the caves on the other side of the Tigris River

On a Saturday afternoon, we were invited by the village women for delicious dolma-stuffed vegetables and grape leaves, and we seated on the grass overlooking the majestuous Suleiman’s mosque dating back to the 15th century. There, we were surrounded by children playing and the silent monuments testifying to thousands of years of culture and history; we chatted about customs and traditions in Hasankeyf, talking about weddings, and traditional life.

On Sunday early morning, some woke up just before 5:00 to hike up on the canyon, to enjoy the amazing views that Hasankeyf offers, and watch the sunrise from one of the canyons, I was a bit lazy and woke up just before 6:00 for the bird watching. It was my first bird watching experience, but Evrim, our local Doga Dernegi guide made it a great one, Hasankeyf’s breathtaking views are sufficient to make anyone want to wake up early. Its quietness, its birds, its river, its cliffs, its monuments all conspire to make Hasankeyf a unique jewel, a place of peace, of joy, of happiness.

Sunrise view in Hasankeyf. Early up for bird watching????

On Monday morning, over tea and pide, Fares, a Hasankeify, described the trips on the Tigris using the Kelek, the traditional boat they used to transport goods through the Tigris River from Diyarbakir to Mosul. These trips along with the traditional boats used stopped around the 1960’s, coinciding with the dam era.  Our attempts to gather the local knowledge of the river and how these trips were done are part of the The Tigris Flotilla, where we will reproduce the journey through the Tigris using the Kelek, the traditional boat used in this part of the Tigris. We will also travel with the Tarrada and the Guffa, trying to bring awareness to the threats facing these timeless waters.

Fares as he described the journeys through the Tigris on the Kalak, the traditional boat used in this part of the river

From Left to Right: Kalak, traditional boat used in Turkey to transport people and goods, Kalaks could carry loads of up to 35 tons, including men and donkeys, and could take as little as a few days to travel from Mosul to Baghdad. Guffa a cargo and passenger carrying boat, and Tarada, once the war boat of the marshes, used by the Ma’dan Marsh Arabs in south Iraq. Source www.connectmesopotamia.org/tigris-river-flotilla.html

Monday night, it was time to say goodbye to our new friends and to start our journey back to Iraq. My eyes watered and it was hard to say goodbye to the new-but feeling like old Hasankeyf family. After meeting Firat and his hospitality, Arif with his friendliness and a unique story for each carpet in his shop, Fares and the old river stories, and the friends at Villa Park and Artukid cafe, exploring the canyons, caves, mosques and other unique architectural jewels, it is hard to picture that the future of Hasankeyf is still uncertain. As our bus was approaching and after some bargaining, we managed to have Arif sing to us Aiche, and Ahmed and Mohamed followed with a traditional Iraqi song. The Ingathering was special  for all of us who attended, Iraqis, Hasankeyfis and of course us from all parts of the world. I liked the words of our friend John: “ I loved the send off for you guys when you boarded the bus back to Sulaymaniyah — we were singing and dancing in the middle of the main intersection, one great big family of human beings.”

Kobler indicated that Iraq needs a strong and free press to assure the right to speak out, and to learn the truth, emphasizing that the press and media organs must adhere to professional ethics. Kobler verified in his statement that freedom of expression is an essential element of human rights, and Iraq needs a strong and free press to ensure the right to express its opinion and to identify the facts.

Martin Kobler, Head of United Nations Mission in Iraq

From her part, the Director of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office in Iraq, Ms. Louise Haxthause shared her concerns indicating that the country should provide a safe environment for journalists and the press must be allowed to operate without threat of violence, harassment, intimidation, or arbitrary arrest. UNESCO Director also urged Iraqi journalists, decision makers, media institutions, and civil society organizations to work together to “create an environment that allows the development of a professional, independent, and responsible media sector”.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and UNESCO revealed on Thursday (May 2, 2013), that more than 600 journalists have been killed in the world during the past ten years, in “non-combat conditions”, and stressed that out of every ten cases of journalists’ murder, nine of them “escape” from punishment, while pointing out that many journalists are subjected to punishment “without legal basis”, calling for gritty standing against the general lack of security and justice.

In the meantime the Iraqi Press Freedom Advocacy Association conducted a study based on a opinion survey of about 250 journalists on the “Journalists Rights Law”. The study demonstrated that the vast majority of journalists and media professionals look  in negative perception to the so-called “Journalists Rights Law No. 21 of the year 2011″ and wished that it be reformed that a new law is passed as soon as possible. The survey was conducted by a research team headed by the legal expert Professor Zuhair Ziauddin, which showed that more than 85 percent of the survey respondents pointed to the need of a new law legislation that enhances the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression and do not suppress it. In addition about 84 percent saw that the “Journalists Rights Law” does not offer them any support or legal protection. The study also showed that 41 percent of the survey respondents did not read the law, reflecting the lack of confidence of a large proportion of journalists with legislation.

For the conviction of those journalists in that the law brings them some kind of rights and freedoms, the percentage of the positive responses were very low, ranging between (20.4% – 26.8%) only, while the rates of negative responses ranged between (62% -75.2 %), which points to the failure of the “Journalists Rights Law” in securing the minimum of journalists’ rights and freedoms and protecting their work and profession.

The sample size surveyed were about 250 journalists which represents (4%) of the approximate total number of the actual working reporters, numbering between 5-6 thousands journalist. This gives a good indication and an accurate measure of journalists’ opinion of the law. The negative results of the study emphasize the urgent need to reconsider this law and amend it at the very least to meet the aspirations of journalists and bring them the guarantee of freedom of work and freedom of expression and the right of access to information as well as to achieve the real functional guarantees.

On Sunday (April 28, 2013), the other hand, the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission announced, the suspension of work permits of eight TV stations for adopting “a sectarian speech” that accompanied the incidents of Hawijah, and confirmed that those channels worked on “tearing” the Iraqi social fabric through the incitement to violence and religious hatred and calling for civil disturbance through the escalation of sectarian language as well to call for retaliatory criminal activities. The commission stressed the need to recognize that freedom of expression “is not an absolute right”.  The suspension decision included specifically (Baghdad, Al-Sharqia, Al-Sharqia News, Al-Babilya, Salah Al-Din, Al-Anwar2, Al-Taghyeer, Al-Fallujah) TV Stations, indicating that “it was clear that those TV stations adopted an irritation way closer to misleading and exaggeration than objectivity”.

On Saturday (27 April 2013), Prime Minister Noori al-Maliki accused TV channels which were geared for scientists with “sectarian poisons broadcasting” in the country, while the International Islamic Conference called for dialogue to issue instructions to fight this “scourge”.

Later, Human Rights Watch called upon the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission to retreat immediately its decision, and allow the TV stations to continue their work, indicating that “the decision to withdraw the licenses targeted specifically opposition channels, while left channels such as Al-Iraqiya to broadcast freely”. Meanwhile, on Friday, the [media] commission considered the remarks of Human Rights Watch as “an attempt to throw dust in eyes and to abuse the work of the commission which is independent in its decisions”, while confirming that “the organization and it’s representative depended in presenting arguments and evidence on pre-prepared politicized impressions and visions”.

They were protesting the release of Mamosta Sakar’s father. In a controversial case well know to the media and to most people in Kurdistan, the case of Mamosta Sakar has become an icon of struggle for women’s rights in Kurdistan. The perpetrator of the crime, her father was released for the second time after the court ruled that he can benefit from the general pardon granted by the Amnesty Law passed by the Kurdish Parliament last year. Zhiyan Group, which has been following the case and represents many women groups released this statement to the media during the demonstration: 

During the past 20 years the killing and genocide of Kurdish women has become a daily life phenomena. The increase in this type of crime has made authorities including courts and local authorities to deal with the issue as a normal thing. The killing of women is a source of fear for the Kurdish society but what is most fearful is that criminals along with the authorities, including the parliament accept the crimes without punishment.

The case of Mamosta Sakar is an example that proves this reality. Despite all evidence presented in the court that the crime was committed by Sakar’s father, the crime went unpunished. We, as Zhiyan Group are working to defend women’s rights and showing the reality of women in Kurdistan. We do not get any benefit in doing so. We have put all the evidence in front of the court, but the Suleimaniya Criminal Court, without looking to our efforts to uncover the reality, decided to apply the general amnesty law, approved by the Kurdish Parliament and signed by president Mazoud Barzani on 2012.

Zhiyan group wrote and delivered a letter with the case details to Suleimaniya’s investigator’s office asking the case to be appealed to the Committee of Court and Law. We ask for the revision of the case and a fair trial. We are calling all local and international organizations and the people who are defending women’s rights  to pressure the court council to have a fair trial and not to deny the crimes committed against women.   Zhiyan Group April 22nd, 2013

Demands of Zhiyan Group on the March 8th, International Women`s Day 

To: The citizens, public opinion, media, civil society, political parties, and all concerned parties.

Our group will receive March 8th differently from the working protocols of official and non-official parties in the Kurdistan region. We consider this occasion as an opportunity to uncover the nature women and girls’ lives in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. At the same time we have demands for the development of women`s living emphasizing on their rights. For this year, our group will observe March 8^th under the slogan “No for bargaining on women’ s rights and issues“.

It is clear that, as compared to other parts of Iraq, the Kurdistan region has more attention to women`s rights. Yet, the nature of the traditional society and the lack of the true role of the institutions to consolidate and to fasten women`s rights and issues has always kept us in a vicious circle of injustice, in confrontation and bargaining, that concludes in violence, lack of political and economical, social, scientific and equality in employment and many other deficiencies in the daily life of the women in Kurdistan region. Despite the continuous progress of the political and economic aspects, a violent and a classic society has been produced. Although the domestic violence law has been approved, the directorates of trace violence against women were opened and the Women`s High Council has established, still the statistics of the violence, self-immolations and killing of the women haven`t change.

In fact, it is not easy to solve the social and cultural issues at a given time, as it is not to qualify it as a crime, nor as an ordinary phenomenon. The responsibilities will not only lie on the official and legislative institutions, but all individuals, citizens and the society all together are part of the issues and have a significant role in solving them and particularly working on changing social perceptions about women’s issues. Lastly, the organizations, institutions, courts, police departments, hospitals, schools, media and the mosques all together have an effective role and concerning to advocacy, it is very significant if they have plans, programs and a transparent follow-up on women`s rights. Zhiyan group will attach a number of demands to this petition. As we wish to say that in the past duration whether as a group or as activists or members in the group, we were always tried to carry out our duties and we promise to watchdog the women rights and never agree to make any bargaining whether it be by any party.

Demands:

1- The execution of the article no. 8 of the domestic violence law very seriously and all courts, police stations, hospitals and all other parties to abide to that law. Though the law was released in the 21^st of the last month, but unfortunately the steps in implementing that law are not up to the mark and it often being neglected.

2- The enforcement of the personal status law`s articles which have been amended in the year 2008, but they have not be implemented by the courts properly. However the polygamy has been limited in this law, but it still exists and we demand it to be abolished at once, and to bloc all the ways that let this phenomenon to continuo.

3- The general pardon laws are considered to be against the women`s issues, however the honor killing was excepted in this law, but during the implementation of this law, women killers were freed, and we demand that these laws to be implemented fairly.

4- To implement the quota of political participation inside the government, the same way it has been executed in the parliament. All foundations and the employment process, as we demand the equality in job opportunity for women and girls.

5-To include the gender budget in the general budget. The gender plan should be incorporated in the design and the content, and in any expenditure of the other sections of the budget including the implementation of different projects. The budget should emphasize on human development, gender equality and should be the standard for implementing and approving it.

6- To provide the equality in gender between women and men is the condition for a radical change in the education system.

7- To work systematically for a healthy social education, and to separate the violence issue and the social and Cultural aspects, and criminalizing all direct and indirect suits by the pulpits whether inside the mosques or in the media.

The activities of the Zhiyan group in March 8th were the following:

First: On Friday, March 8^th, 2013 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, a demonstration was held in Saholaka St. intersection with Salim St. and head toward Parliament office, and all parties and individuals are free to write any messages, banners related to the demands of women`s rights.

Second: Zhiyan Group circulated the petition and the demands to all concerned parties, as we are asking your help for distributing and to follow-up implementation, and from there we will head toward the Culture Café.

Third: Zhiyan Group organised an Open Mic. A special evening about women`s issues in the evening of the 8^th March in Culture Café, and in the evening some artistic activities will be presented.

Zhyan group

More and more people are signing the letter and writing about workers rights violations in Iraq.

Here are some of the resolutions and news that we found online in solidarity with Hassan Juma:

Plumbers, Steamfitters and Refrigeration Fitters- UA Local Union California

• Resolution in Support of Labor Rights in Iraq

 Sugar Workers Federation of Peru-FTAP Peru

• See their Resolution

IndustriAll

• Condemn the ongoing harsh persecution of Hassan Juma’a

Bay Area Labor Committee for Peace and Justice

• Oakland Labor Committee Shows Solidarity with Iraqi Oil Union Leader Targeted by al-Maliki Regime

International Trade Union Confederation

• Letter to PM Maliki on Harrasment of Oil Union Leader

The Los Angeles County Federation Of Labor AFL-CIO

• Resolution in Support of Labor Rights in Iraq

NEWS:

USLAW- Once again, Iraqi Govt. Delays Hearing on Charges Against Oil Union President

Tony Greenstein’s  BLOGPOST: American Democracy Comes to Iraq as Oil Strike Leader Arrested

 Union Solidarity International BLOGPOST: Union Solidarity International: The persecution of unions in Iraq: defend Hassan Juma’a Awad People and Nature BLOGPOST: The price of Iraqi Oil union leader in court for organising strike Committee of Asian Women Blogpost: For Unionists, Iraq’s Oil War Rages On Keep the support and solidarity coming!