Iraqis React to the Possibility of Al-Kazimi as an Alternative to Al-Zarfi as the New Prime Minister
The New Arab Baghdad – Aktham Saif Alden 6 April 2020 There is a new, yet unstable consensus among a number of leaders of the Iraqi Shiite blocs who refuse to accept Adnan al-Zurfi as the person who should form a new government in Iraq. Due in part to this opposition, the leaders of the […]
Corona virus curfew fails to clear Iraqi protest squares
ALMONITOR Shelly Kittleson Anti-government protests that began in October and raged through Iraq for months were officially suspended in late March as part of efforts against the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic. Major squares, however, remain occupied. Some protesters say they have to stay amid continued assassinations of activists. Umm Abbass, a well-known female activist in Nasiriyah, […]
Iraq: Arbitrary detention of human rights defender Hemin Mamand
Front line defenders On 24 March 2020, human rights defender Hemin Mamand was arrested by the police of the Kurdistan Regional Government at his house in Erbil. He remains in detention without charges. Hemin Mamand is a Kurdish journalist and human rights defender. He has previously worked with Azhan newspaper and Mewda press, focusing on […]
IDPs are under coronavirus lockdown and lack medical supplies
Kirkuk Now Ammar Aziz Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) ask for cleaning and protective materials for preventing the spread of coronavirus, which has forced the government to put the nation on lockdown and announce medical advices that people have to fully comply with. The medical instructions have had a greater impact on the IDPs as they […]
Mesopotamian Water Forum Virtual Assembly: “Discussing Water in Times of Corona” – Join Us!
One year ago in April 2019, the 1st Mesopotamian Water Forum was held in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. More than 180 water activists from the Mesopotamia region and other countries gathered for 3 days of workshops and discussions on dams, pollution, democratic water management, and released a declaration (Press Here). A landmark […]
The Social and Political Roles of Girls and Women During the New Coronavirus Epidemic
A Webinar by the “She Revolution” Group In light of the spread of the Coronavirus and the institution of home quarantine throughout Iraq, for two weeks and possibly continuing much longer, girls and women bear double burdens these days. They are activists, still engaged in social and political life, especially because of their important roles […]
What is Solidarity in the Time of the Coronavirus Epidemic?
Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative Webinar Throughout its existence, the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) has worked to connect the growing Iraqi civil society with international civil society organizations in order to build solidarity and promote peace and human rights across communities. Once again we are faced with a crisis that impacts our lives […]
Iraqi government calls on civil society to fight COVID-19
AlMONITOR Lujain Elbaldawi BAGHDAD — Despite the Iraqi government’s intensive efforts to fight the novel coronavirus, it seems unable to accommodate the difficult circumstances due to its limited resources, not to mention the political crisis that has been plaguing it since protests erupted in October 2019. The Iraqi government is thus calling on civil society and charities […]
A View of Iraq During the Pandemic
“It is a strange year; in just 3 months many political and social changes have taken place.” This is how Muhammad, a 22-year-old university student, began his speech describing the general scene in Iraq since the beginning of this year. He continued, “Since the beginning of the year, major events have happened in quick succession, […]
Adnan Al-Zarfi, Another Controversial Prime Minister Now Faces Widespread Criticism
On Tuesday 17 March, President Barham Salih officially chose Mr. Adnan Al-Zarfi to form the new government, 15 days after Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi apologized and withdrew his nomination, acknowledging that he did not have the support of the people needed to assume the position. Al-Zarfi, the former governor of Najaf and the head of the […]
Coronavirus Damages Iraqi Economy With Fall in Tourism and Oil Prices
Al-Monitor | Omar al-Jaffal As of March 23, Iraq had registered 266 novel coronavirus cases, with 23 deaths. Although Iraq is much better off than many other countries, the fast-growing number of cases — 33 new infections and three more deaths in a 24-hour period — indicate that Iraq soon may face a very difficult situation. Also, measures the government has taken to fight the […]
Iraqi government officials, clerics unite against COVID-19
Al-Monitor | Hassan Ali Ahmed BAGHDAD — As the number of coronavirus cases grows rapidly in Iraq, the Shiite religious establishment is offering to help the government, campaigning against extremist groups that oppose health experts’ recommendations to close holy shrines and mosques. On March 24, Iraq reported a total of 316 coronavirus cases and 27 deaths, an increase of 50 new cases and four more deaths overnight, a substantial […]