أصوات العراق

Iraq's Kurdistan Civil Organizations condemn executions in Iran:

subhy — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 13:01:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: A group of representatives of north Iraq's Kurdistan Civil Society Organizations have handed a protest memorandum on sunday to the General Iranian Consulate in Arbil, demanding an end for the campaign of executions against Kurdish political activits in Iran

We, the representatives of the Civil Society Organizations in Iraqi Kurdistan have handed a protest memorandum to the General Iranian Consulate in Arbil, demanding it to help the voice of Kurdistan citizens reach to the Iranian officials in order to stop the executions campaign, now taking place against political activists in Iran, the Chairman of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Kurdistan, Adnan Anwar Beg told reporters, after leaving the Iranian Consulate in Arbil

He stressed that the said representatives have demanded in their memorandum to "stop the campaign of executions in Iran and to open the space for the political activists to act freely and settle their problems with the Iranian authorities without leaning to their execution

The NGOs in Kurdistan comprise 150 organizations belonging to the civil society organizations in Iraqi Kurdistan, which had organized a similar campaign against executions in Iran about one month ago

(IT) / SKH

Civil Society in Missan calls for conf. during Arab summit

shady — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:53:00 GMT

MISSAN / Aswat al-Iraq: Civil Society organizations in Missan on Tuesday called for organizing a conference during the Arab summit with the participation of local and international organizations from Iraq and abroad to present a working paper on reforms in the Arab World.
“A group of Civil Society organizations in Missan asked the Arab League secretary general to allow them to organize the conference during the Arab summit to present the working paper,” Hakim Fakher, chairman of the Ahrar society for human rights, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The paper includes some economic and social reforms, human rights issues and democracy in Iraq and the Arab World,” he added.
Amara, the capital of Missan, lies 390 km south of Baghdad.

SH (TP)

UNSG's Special Representative for Iraq in Kirkuk, meeting its inhabitants:

subhy — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:59:00 GMT

KIRKUK / Aswat al-Iraq: The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq Ad Melkert, has arrived in the northern oil-city of Kirkuk on Wednesday, where he met a number of its inhabitants at the headquarters of the Province's Council, to listen to their demands.

"Melkert has arrived in Kirkuk early on Wednesday and held a meeting with a number of its inhabitants at the Conference Hall of the Province's Council," a source close to the Council told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, adding that the motive of the visit "is to listen to the problems of Kirkuk and discuss means to settle them."

He said the meeting "had comprised representatives of different communities, nationalities and religiouns in Kirkuk," adding that Melkert would hold a news conference after the meeting.

Kirkuk is 250 kms to the northeast of Baghdad.

PT / SKH

Talabani meets members of protecting constitution initiative

susan — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:36:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani met on Tuesday with members of protecting the constitution initiative and discussed with them the conditions of civil society organizations, according to a presidential statement.

“Talabani listened to a detailed explanation from the members of the initiative on their work and activities of the organizations in the past months,” said the statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“They presented a memo on obstacles they face, in which they expressed deep concern over the current security condition in the country and hopes to improve services,” it added.

SH (TP)/SR

International Conference on Woman's role in Building of Peace, opened in Arbil:

subhy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:24:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: An International Conference on Woman's Role in Building of Peace,Tranquility and َQuestioning, was opened in Arbil, the capital of north Iraq's Kurdistan Region on Thursday, with a large official and civilian presence on international, regional and local participation.

The conference, held in Martyr Saad Abdullah Conference Hall in Arbil, was enaugurated by Kurdistan Region's Parliament Speaker, Kamal Kirkukly, who delivered a speech, welcoming the presence of delegates from different countries of the world.

The two-day conference, attended by a number of Parliament members of Iraq and Kurdistan, along with international female personalities and a number of world activists in women affairs and representatives of international organizations, is scheduled to discuss the role of women in the political process and adjustment of laws, in such a way that serves the democratic process in Iraq.

PT / SKH

Italian officials express support for Iraqi Woman's Welfare:

subhy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:41:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The Italian Ambassador to Baghdad has expressed his country's readiness to support any organization striving to achieve welfare for the women in Iraq, whilst the Assistant Italian Parliament's Speaker called for supporting the Iraqi woman's struggle to achieve her rights.

The Italilan Ambassador, Jerardo Caranby, representing his government in the Arbil International Conference to support the Iraqi Woman's Role in building Peace, Tranquility and Questioning, attended by Aswat al-Iraq news agency, said that his country "had greatly helped Iraq, allocating about US$2 billions (b) for its reconstruction, committing itself to continue its support for Iraq and its Kurdistan Region.

"We also like to work for the interest of the Iraqi people," he said, expressing "Italy's wish and preparedness to help any organization that strives to achieve women prosperity in Iraq."

On her part, the Assistant Speaker of the Italian Parliament, Ema Jonino, said in her speech in the conference, said: "our presence here is not to demand concessions, but to achieve the woman's right and to push the reconciliation, questioning and decent power forward," adding that the expertise of different states, if joined together, can achieve a better result, because any individual party lacks complete expertise."

The two-day International Conference on Woman's Role in Building of Peace,Tranquility and َQuestioning, was opened in Arbil, the capital of north Iraq's Kurdistan Region on Thursday, with a large official and civilian presence on international, regional and local participation.

IT / SKH

UNSG's Special Representative for Iraq criticizes woman's absence in new Iraqi government

subhy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:40:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Iraq, Ad Melkert, deplored failure to have women represented in the new Iraqi government, calling for a larger role by Iraqi women alongside men in the state institutions.

"Even in the fifties of the last century, the Iraqi woman had participated in the formation of the government, but the new Iraq, unfortunately, lacks representation of the woman in the government," Melkert said in a speech in the Arbil International Woman Conference for Peace, Tranquility and Questioning, attended by Aswat al-Iraq news agency, reiterating "necessity for the woman's participation in the building of the (Iraqi) Homeland."

He said: "if the Iraqi man wants to succeed, he must enable women to be active in the society..and I am looking forward towards this conference to take decisions that shall enable the woman to be active in Iraq."

"As regards to the issue of corruption, considered one of the major issues confronting the Iraqi government, it shall decrease when the man shall work side-by-side with the woman and when the woman takes responsibility, because the woman shall avoid getting involved in corruption, as much as the man," Melkert added.

The International Conference on Woman's Role in Building of Peace,Tranquility and َQuestioning, was opened in Arbil, the capital of north Iraq's Kurdistan Region on Thursday, with a large official and civilian presence on international, regional and local participation.

ST / SKH/AmR

Inernational Conerence on "Role of Woman in Building Peace" concuded.

subhy — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 10:19:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The International Conference on the "Role of Woman in building Peace, Tranquility and Questioning in Iraq," was concluded in north Iraq's Arbil city, issuing several recommendations, aimed at boosting equivalence between both sexes and the political, social and economic role of the Iraqi woman."

The recommendations, read by Woman Activist, Ghada al-Wa'ily at the end of the conference's last session called on "necessity of commitment of the measures, covering the leading officials to prevent their punishment in the event of violence acts against the woman, as well as participation of the civil society organizations in the process of equality between both sexes, the formation of international companies and development programs, concentrating on boosting equality between both sexes."

The recommendations also called for necessity to revise educational programs and systems to guarantee the concept of equality between both sexes and practicing it in all Iraqi educational institutions.

They also reiterated that the share of the woman in the so-called "quota system" must not be less than 25% and to allow women to nominate themselves in special lists belonging to them, in addition to their right to participate within the lists of political entities outside the "quota system," provided that would be represented in the government and administrative positions.

The conference also called for laying down a "road map for the state regarding the role of woman in the political, social and economic life in Iraq in the forthcoming five or ten years, as well as the formation of a "National Woman Council," and the adjustment of legislation that discriminate against women on humanitarian basis, including Article 398 of the Iraqi Penal Code related to rape, allowing the offender to marry her victim and avoids punishment.

The recommendations called for the abolishing of the laws related to the woman, including preventing her to apply for passport without being accompanied by a "non-forbidden" man, meaning the husband, brother, father or uncle, and the abolishing of Article 1-41 of the Iraqi Penal Cope, granting the legal right of the man to watch his wife.

After the end of the conference, the State Minister for the Federal Government, Bushra al-Zuwainy, promised to "present the its recommendations to the Council of Ministers, in order to enter them into action."

The International Conference on the "Role of Woman in Building Peace, Tranquility and Questioning in Iraq, had started its works last Thursday, with the participation of Members of the Iraqi and Kurdistan Parliaments, the United Nations, the Arab League, the Islamic Conference Organization and representatives of the civil society and international experts in the field of strengthening the role of woman in the national reconciliation.

RT / SKH

A special Ladies cafe opened in Arbil, Iraqi Kurdistan:

subhy — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:09:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Arbil, the capital of North Iraq's Kurdistan Region, has witnessed the opening of a special cafe for women only, expected to present monthly cultural activities for women and children.

"It is a pure woman project only and those working in it are women only..And we hope that similar cafes would be opened in other parts of Iraq," one of the founders of the cafe," Nasrin Mohammed said.

She said that "the idea had existed since long and it is a good idea, because, as there are special places for men, we thought to have a special place for women only, presenting hot and cold drinks, receiving women who wish to hold birthday parties, as well as having a special place for children.

"We are planning to hold monthly symposiums, such as those to discuss family rights, children education, as well as having a library comprising children episodes and books related to woman affairs," Nasrin said.

PT / SKH

JFO: guards attack journalist in Baghdad

susan — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:36:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Journalistic Freedoms Observatory condemned on Wednesday the ‘unjustified’ attack by the Medicine City’s guards in central Baghdad against a local magazine’ editor in chief, urging security authorities to end attacks on journalists and reporters.

“Journalist Faleh Hassan al-Sudani, the editor in chief of al-Thaqafa al-Ajnabiya magazine, was beaten and humiliated by the bodyguards of the Medicine City in Bab al-Muaazam region, central Baghdad, while accompanying his father, who suffers a heart attack,” the JFO said in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The man said the guards threatened and cursed and forced him to leave the place,” it added.

This is the second attack against journalists this week. The first one was the attack on Radio Sawa crew, according to the JFO.

SH (TP)/SR

Hundreds protest in Baghdad to improve services

shady — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 10:27:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Hundreds of citizens went to street on Sunday protesting the lack of services in northeastern Baghdad, a security source said.
“Around 3,000 persons went to streets this morning in al-Shaab region, northeastern Baghdad, calling for improving services like electricity and ration cards,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The protest was peaceful and demanded the resign of the municipality council,” he explained.

SH (TP)

Scores of lawyers protest in Baghdad

shady — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:06:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Scores of lawyers staged a demonstration on Thursday started from the Bar Association in Baghdad, calling for good treatment during their presence in courts and government's departments, according to a security source.
"Around 200 lawyers staged a demonstration in front of the Bar Association in al-Mansour neighborhood, western Baghdad," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
"The protestors headed to the Baghdad International Fair," he added, without giving further details.

SH (TP)

Agreement between Baghdad Council and Journalist protesters in central Baghdad

susan — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:32:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Chairman of Baghdad Province's Council, Kamil al-Zaidy, has reached an agreement with the Iraqi journalists, protesting in a sit-in demonstration in central Baghdad's al-Firdous Square, to form a committee, representing them to "watch the activity of the municipal and services offices in the Province, and inform the Chairman with any violations that necessitate treatment, Zaidy told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Thursday.

The agreement between Baghdad Council and the demonstrating journalists, who began their sit-in demonstration in protest to bad services and undermining freedoms two days ago, achieved in the presence of the Chairman of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, Moayad al-Lamy, shall enable the journalists to observe the services activity by municipal offices and any violation of freedoms, in order to raise their reports to the Council that will take urgent measures to treat such violations, along with the formation of popular committees by residents of different areas to watch those activities.

Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces are witnessing demonstrations by thousands of people, demanding the improvement of services and living conditions, especially the distribution of the government's Rational List, finding solutions for unemployment and lack of electric power, at a time when demonstrations, organized by the youth and intellectuals in Baghdad's al-Muthanaby Street, demanded the improvement of living conditions and putting an end for corruption and restrictions on public freedoms.

Zaidy also said that "the Council shall follow up the private electric generators, distributed by the Council, pointing out that 7,000 generators have been allocated by the Council, along with 9,000 other generators, belonging to private citizens, supplied by fuel from the Province's Council, to help increase the electric power in Baghdad.

The Chairman of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, Moayad al-Lamy, on his part, said that "the media commission, authorized by the Baghdad Council, shall begin its works today (Thursday), to define the shortage of services and report any violation to the Council's Chairman."

The journalists, on their part, have decided to end their sit-in demonstration as result of the agreement, reaffirming that "they would resume their demonstration in the event of violating the agreement or its non-implementation, demanding the Council's Chairman, Kamil al-Zaidy, to follow up the reports, carried by the mass media, especially in the poor areas of Baghdad, about the demands of their citizens.

SKH(IT)/SR

Cultured people form human shield to protect protestors in Sulaimaniya

shady — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:07:00 GMT

SULAIMANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: Scores of cultured people, media men and civil society organizations formed on Monday a human shield between security forces and protestors to avoid acts of violence.
“Dozens of young men, lawyers, media men, civil society organizations’ members formed a human shield between security forces and thousands of demonstrators in the city of Sulaimaniya to prevent any acts of violence,” al-Bashri Shawan Rauoof, an activist, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“More than 4,000 protestors, including women, gathered at the center of the city, in a cloudy and rainy weather, calling for releasing detainees,” he added.
A medical source had said that three people were killed and 121 were wounded in the protests in Sulaimaniya.
Hundreds of protestors went to street last Thursday calling for better services and living conditions and fighting corruption.

SH (TP)

Sulaimaniya University students declare open-ended sit-in

shady — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:35:00 GMT

SULAIMANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: Students of Sulaimaniya University staged on Tuesday an open-ended sit-in until their demands are fulfilled, which are suing those opened fire on protestors and making political reforms, according to a well-informed source.
“All Sulaimaniya University students started on Tuesday (Feb. 22) an open-ended sit-in at 11:00am until 2:00pm until their demands are fulfilled,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, noting that the sit-in will continue in the coming days.
A medical source had said that three people were killed and 121 were wounded in the protests in Sulaimaniya.
Hundreds of protestors went to street last Thursday calling for better services and living conditions and fighting corruption.

SH (TP)

10,000 protestors gathered in Sulaimaniya

shady — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:28:00 GMT

SULAIMANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: Around 10,000 protestors gathered on Wednesday in central Sulaimaniya, calling for political, economic and social reforms, according to a well-informed source.
“The protestors gathered in Darki Sara region, central Sulaimaniya, calling for economic, political and social reforms,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“Hakem al-Sheikh Latief, a lawmaker, joined the protest for the first time,” he added. “The lawmaker addressed the protestors, urging them to remain peaceful.”
Hundreds of protestors went to street last Thursday (Feb. 17) calling for better services and living conditions and fighting corruption.

SH (TP)

Preparations for massive demo in 'al-Tahrir' on Friday

susan — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:45:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Scores of citizens on Thursday gathered in al-Tahrir square in central Baghdad, preparing for a massive demonstration on Friday for a batter service in the capital, according to a protester.

"We gathered today in al-Tahrir square to prepare for a demonstration tomorrow to call for improving services," Razaq ali told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

"The government does not fulfill the demands and we need better services and tomorrow will be a big gathering to send our message," he added.

SH (TP)/SR

NGOs meet Maliki to discuss host of issues

amr — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:21:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Civil society organizations met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday and stressed citizens’ rights to assemble and protest to express their cares and demands.

“A delegation representing non-governmental organizations submitted a memo to Premier Maliki on the current conditions in Iraq and the people’s suffering in light of a deteriorating standard of living,” according to a statement by a number of NGOs after a meeting with Maliki.

“The memo focused on the problems of poverty, unemployment, aggravating socio-economic crises, poor services and education, a rampant administrative and financial corruption and flagrant assaults on civil freedoms, NGOs and the media,” according to the statement.

The delegation also underscored the government’s responsibility to deal with those problems within the framework of a clear policy that aims to build a civilian democratic state.

AmR (TS)

Agreement between JFO, BOC to protect reporters during demonstrations

subhy — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:05:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq – Iraq’s Journalistic Freedoms Observatory on Wednesday has announced that an agreement was reached with the Baghdad Operations Command to insure press coverage during demonstrations and to allow SNG cars to carry out direct coverage of those demonstrations.

“The agreement, reached between the Observatory and the Baghdad Operations Command points out to the securing of media coverage during future demonstrations in Baghdad, as well as achieving necessary protection, instead of attacking the reporters, along with preparing special places for them and allowing them to tour the venue of the demonstration,” the Observatory’s Executive Director, Ziad al-Ujeily told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

He said that the SNG cars, belonging to television channels, would be allowed to carry out direct transmission of the demonstrations.

“The Baghdad Operations Command has assured that there won’t be any assault against journalists and that there would be a media team to coordinate with different media institutions that wish to cover the demonstrations,” he added.

Noteworthy is that hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have demonstrated in different Iraqi provinces, including the capital of Baghdad on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, demanding the improvement of services and living conditions, along with putting an end for corruption and to achieve employment opportunities, as well as social justice.

RT / SKH

Hundreds protest in Falluja

susan — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:47:00 GMT

ANBAR / Aswat al-Iraq: Hundreds of local residents of al-Falluja city staged a demonstration on Monday calling for an end to administrative and financial corruption, according to an informed source.

“Hundreds of all walks of life in Falluja, (60 km) west of Ramadi, mostly jobless persons, tribal chiefs and intellectuals, gathered at the al-Jumhuriya intersection in the heart of the city to demand an end to corruption, accountability for local service officials involved in dereliction and release of detainees,” the source eyewitness told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The march was under tight security by the army, police and special forces to protest the demonstrators,” he added.

On Feb. 25 the Falluja district mayor and local council members announced their resignations after meeting with representatives of the protesters upon their demands.

Ramadi, the capital city of the predominantly Sunni province of al-Anbar, lies 110 km west of Baghdad.

AmR (TP)/SR

All Iraqis in Japan in good shape after tremor, Embassy says

susan — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:19:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq – All Iraqis, registered with the Iraqi Embassy in Japan, are in good shape, despite the emergency situation in Japan that followed the huge earthquake that hit the country on March 12^th, the Iraqi Embassy in Tokyo said on Monday.

“Due to the emergency situation passing through Japan after the destructive earthquake that hit the country on March 12^th, the Embassy had contacted all members of the Iraqi community, registered by it, to ensure their safety. They were all in good shape,” an Iraqi Embassy statement, a copy of which landed in Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Monday, said.

The statement added that the Embassy had “prepared an emergency plan, through coordination with the Japanese Foreign Ministry, in order to secure active communication channels with members of the Iraqi community in Japan, to guarantee their safety, amid the current risks.”

“The Embassy had received a telephone call from Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Hoshiar Zibary, to make sure of the safety of the Iraqi community and the Iraqi diplomatic cadre in Japan,” the statement stressed.

Several Japanese cities were struck by a destructive earthquake, with 8.9 degrees on Richter record last Friday, followed by a Tsunami. A series of tremors followed, which have hit the country over the past 2 days, killing and wounding thousands of people, whilst the Japanese Kyodo News Agency had reported that about 2,000 corpses were found on the territorial waters of Miagi city, northeast of Japan.

SKH (TR)/SR

23rd Anniversary of Halabja’s chemical attack commemorated

subhy — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:07:00 GMT

SULAIMANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq – North Iraq Kurdistan’s city of Halabja had witnessed on Wednesday a special commemoration for the 23^rd anniversary of the city’s chemical attack by the former Iraqi regime that killed 5,000 and wounded 10,000 of its inhabitants on March 11, 1988.

A city official told Aswat al-Iraq news agency that “a special celebration took place on Wednesday, to remind the Iraqi people and the world at large of Halabja’s chemical attack, attended by Kurdistan Region’s Premier, Barham Saleh and a number of other leading personalities.”

The celebrations also included playing Kurdish national songs and standing for one minute to commemorate the soles of the victims of the Halabja catastrophe.

Halabja city had been victim for a chemical attack by Iraq’s former ruling Baath regime on March 16, 1988, that killed 5,000 civilians and wounded 10,000 others from among the city’s inhabitants.

IT / SKH

Iraqi government passes law on political parties

subhy — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:00:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq – Iraq’s Council of Ministers has passed the draft-law on the political parties in the country and presenting it over to the Parliament for final approval, the State Minister & Official Spokesman of the government, Ali al-Dabbagh said on Wednesday.

“The Council of Ministers has decided in its 13^th session on Tuesday to pass the draft-law for political parties and pass it over to the Parliament for final approval, according to Articles 61 and 80 of the Constitution,” Dabbagh said in a statement, copy of which was received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

The statement gave no further details.

PT / SKH

Draft-Law on Parties serves political process in Iraq, MP says

subhy — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:11:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq – The draft-law, presented to the Iraqi Parliament recently, includes several positive articles that will serve the political process in the country, an Iraqi Legislature said on Wednesday.

“Among the important articles in the draft-law on the political parties, presented to the Parliament for approval, had reaffirmed necessity that the parties must keep away from multi-party formations, that enable any small group to form a party,” the Legislature, representing the newly-formed White al-Iraqiya Bloc, Aliya Nusief told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Nuseif said that her bloc, that was split from al-Iraqiya Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, had been behind the initiative to present the said draft-law on the formation of the parties for approval by the Parliament.

“The said draft-law had gained its impact by the Council of Ministers and the Parliament, where 76 Members of Parliament had signed it, and in the event of re-elections, it shall be one of the important laws, along with the elections law,” she added.

“Among the positive points in the said draft-law are facts that it calls for keeping away from sectarian and narrow-nationalist party trends and that the parties principles coincide with human rights,” Nuseif said.

Iraq’s State Minister and the Official Spokesman for the government, Ali al-Dabbagh, had stated earlier that the Council of Ministers had approved the draft-law on the political parties and presented it to the Parliament for ratification.

RT / SKH

Baghdad demo protests “reconciliation” with Baathists

subhy — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:44:00 GMT

Baghdad demo protests “reconciliation” with Baathists

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq – A group of demonstrators have gathered in central Baghdad’s al-Tahrir (Liberation) Square on Friday, protesting against plans for “reconciliation” with Iraq’s former ruling Baath Party members.

“Al-Tahrir Square had witnessed on Friday two demonstrations, the first launched by families of victims, killed by Iraq’s former ruling Baath regime, condemning plans for reconciliation with former Baathists, whilst another demonstration demanded the improvement of public services and fighting corruption,” Aswat al-Iraq correspondent in Baghdad reported.

He said that a number of demonstrators, who said their sons and other relatives were killed or exposed for aggressive attacks by the U.S. forces in Iraq, had set fire to the American flag, in al-Tahrir (Liberation) Square.

Iraq’s Civil Society Organizations and the so-called “Face-book Youth” have called for launching the demonstration in al-Tahrir Square, being part of the series of demonstrations that started on February 25^th last.

Baghdad and several other Iraqi cities had witnessed such demonstrations since February 25^th, protesting against the deterioration of public services, demanding political reforms, putting an end for administrative corruption and unemployment.

The demonstrations had also witnessed clashes between the demonstrators and security forces that caused several casualties on both sides.

RT / SKH

JFO mourns 2 journalists killed in Tikrit

susan — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:30:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Journalistic Freedom Observatory (JFO) mourned on Wednesday two journalists, who were killed yesterday in the attack made by gunmen on Salah al-Din council.

“One of the suicide bombers entered the reporters’ room in the Salah al-Din council and blew himself up, killing Sabah al-Bazi and injuring the cameraman of al-Fayhaa channel, Saad Khaled,” the JFO said in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The 30-year-old is married and has three children and he is one of activists working with the JFO,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the al-Ain media agency informed the JFO that its reporter, Muaamar Khudier Abdulwahed, was killed in the same incident.

SH (TP)/SR

Illiteracy main obstacle for women's progress in Thi-Qar, South Iraq

susan — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:43:00 GMT

THI-QAR / Aswat al-Iraq: A group of active elements in Women's Affairs in southern Iraq’s Thi-Qar Province have said on Sunday that “illiteracy represents the main obstacle for the development of women's activity in the Province.”

“The activity of the woman in society is still under the level of ambition, due to the obstacles related to the misunderstanding by the society for the role of women, as well as non-interaction with responsibility that had created complicated social problems. The most significant of these problems is the large percentage of women in the province who are illiterate,” Women's Activist, Shatha al-Qaisy told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Qaisy said that “the small number of illiteracy centers and absence of supportive measures, including minimum wages, have created an official failure, despite the presence of a large number of women, especially in countryside and tribal areas.”

On his part, the Director of the so-called “July Organization” in the Province, Razzaq Obeid, told Aswat al-Iraq that “the obstacles are large, despite fact that some of them can be easily treated, in the event of the existence of seriousness towards the illiteracy in the Province that exceeds 34%, among 2 million people.”

“The recent demonstrations that took place in the Province had been a clear evidence for the limited role of women in making decisions in this country, where thousands of people took to the streets, including one woman only,” he said.

Thi-Qar’s Education Directorate is one of the largest directorates, comprising about 60,000 members. The percentage of illiteracy in the province has reached 34 percent of the total adult people, exceeding 2 million, while only 100 anti-illiteracy centers exist.

The total number of education sections are steered by 3 education sections in the Province’s townships of Rifa’e, Shatra and Sooq-al-Sheyoukh, where about 850 schools, including 195 primary schools for girls, 636 co-ed schools, and 272 boys schools exist.

SKH (TF)/SR

Mass grave contains 812 bodies found in Anbar

susan — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:18:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi human rights ministry announced that a mass grave discovered in al-Anbar province contains 812 bodies of people killed in the former regime, according to a spokesman of the ministry.

“Human Rights Minister Mohammad Shayaa al-Sudani unveiled a mass grave in Sahl Ukaz region in Anbar, where they found 812 bodies of people killed in the former regime between 1980-1989,” Kamel Amin told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“This grave is one of the biggest crimes of the former regime and clear violation of human rights,” he added.

“The bodies bore signs of gunshot wounds to the head and chest, including men, women and children,” he said, noting that their clothes prove that some of them are Kurds and army elements.

SH (TP)/SR

Iranian channel’s reporter says ‘Peshmerga forces attacked us’

shady — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:10:00 GMT

SULAIMANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: A correspondent of the Iranian Sahar channel said on Tuesday that the channel’s two-people crew was attacked by Peshmerga forces.
“We were beaten by Peshmerga and security forces, which confiscated our equipments and cameras,” Kamal Nouri told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
No word was immediately available from Peshmerga forces on the incident.
Nearly 400 Kurds demonstrators had gathered in Sulaimaniya's central square on Sunday afternoon to continue their demands for political reforms and to protest corruption, a lack of basic services and unemployment.
A few hours later, the peaceful protest turned violent when dozens of angry protesters blocked streets in central Sulaimaniya and set tires on fire, security officials in Sulaimaniya said. Riot police used tear gas and some used live bullets to disperse crowd.
The unrest in Sulaimaniya, starting since February 17, has killed at least seven people and injured more than 250 health officials said.

SH (TP)

Iraqi Parliament holds civilian society session for human rights.

subhy — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:51:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Parliament has held a session on Monday for Civil Society organizations, aimed to consolidate human rights and freedoms, attended by several officials, among them Parliament Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify.

The session aims at consolidating and respecting human rights and general freedoms, supported by the Iraqi constitution and international principles, along with the achievement of an active contribution between the Parliament and social society organizations.

The session consists of three axes, the first about the activation of constitutional articles related to human rights, the second about the boosting of relationship between the Parliament and social society organizations and the third axis is about means to support social society organizations.

“The social society organizations, concerned with human rights, have an important role in supporting citizens freedoms, confirmed by the Iraqi constitution, because they observe violations of human rights, through watching violations against the society, exerting efforts to defend the rights of each individual in the society to enjoy his recognized rights,” the session spokesman said.

SKH (IT)

Quota brought mediocre figures to decision-making circles – Nujeifi

amr — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:46:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujeifi on Monday lashed out at the quota system for “bringing weak, failure-doomed and corrupt” persons to decision-making and administrative circles” in Iraq.

“The presence of weak, failure-doomed and corrupt persons in state administrative posts and decision-making circles as brought by the quota system has caused Iraq to miss rare opportunities for reconstruction and development,” Nujeifi was quoted in a statement by his office as received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

The Iraqi parliament speaker’s remarks came during a symposium under his auspices on the role of the civil society organizations in enhancing rights and freedoms.

He underlined the importance of cooperation with the civil society in order to build a genuine partnership and upgrade the standards of human rights.

“The parliament is working seriously on guaranteeing human rights and preserving the freedoms of opinion and expression and achieving a decent life in accordance with the constitution,” he said.

Addressing several representatives of civil society organizations, Nujeifi noted that human rights can never thrive except in a sound environment, adding the real challenge is to provide this environment in spite of some aspects in the political process like the sectarian quota system.

“The sectarian quota system has spawned partisan quota and in turn a coterie quota,” he said.

He expressed hope that the symposium, and others like it, would put the issue of human rights on top of their priorities.

AmR (TS)

Human rights minister, U.S. deputy amb. review human trafficking

susan — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:13:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Human Rights Minister Mohammad Shayaa al-Sudani discussed on Thursday with U.S. Deputy Ambassador Joe Stewart the human trafficking.

"The minister called on the parliament to speed up enacting the law of fighting human trafficking," said a ministerial statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

"The ministry will hold a conference in June ti discuss the human trafficking as it is related to fighting terrorism," the statement quoted the minister as saying.

For his part, the U.S. diplomat talked about the establishment of an independent commission for human rights in Iraq.

The minister underlined that the ministry will support the commission's work and will participate in its meetings.

SH (TP)/SR

Iraqi trade unions demand new labor law

amr — Sun, 01 May 2011 19:40:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A number of Iraqi trade unions and NGOs called for a new labor law, lifting restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and association, more job opportunities and social security for the unemployed.

“The trade unions and activities of civil society organizations in Iraq stress their demands compatible with the democratic transition taking place in Iraq,” according to a statement issued by several trade unions and NGOs on the International Labor Day as received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

They also called for removing all obstacles impeding the freedoms of assembly and expression and abrogating all previous laws and arbitrary measures practiced by the previous regime.

The statement rejected all types of interventions and discrimination among trade unions according to governmental agendas.

"There will be no legitimacy for any law concerning the workers without the participation of the trade unions in studying and approving them", the statement added.

It warned against corruption and the necessity to combat it, as well as rejecting denominationalism, adding the gap between the salaries should be minimized, with proper work criteria.

On the other hand, Premier Nouri al-Maliki congratulated, in a statement, the Iraqi working class, urging Iraqis to work hard re-build the nation so that it may assume its position among world countries.

RM (TS)/AmR

50,000 unemployed registered in Kurdistan

amr — Sun, 01 May 2011 20:30:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: A Kurdish official revealed on Sunday that there are 50,000 unemployed youths registered to get new jobs according to a governmental plan.

“Ten percent of that figure will get job opportunities,” Asous Najeeb, Minister for Labor and Social Affairs in the Iraqi Kurdistan region’s government, said in press conference on the occasion of the International Labor Day, attended by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

She added that unemployment rate reached to 14% in the region.

"The Ministry will try to minimize the child labor phenomenon through a law to guarantee their rights,” she added.

She referred to a new ministry-sponsored project called "work for all" to provide 3,000 jobs during the coming three years.

The minister noted that plans are underway that the Iraqi Kurdistan region will have an advanced labor law, in addition to plans to encourage the private sector.

RM (TP)/AmR

Women activists demand their participation in pacifying conditions in Iraqi Kurdistan

susan — Tue, 03 May 2011 09:57:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: A group of women activists, defending woman rights, reporters and former members of Kurdistan and Iraqi Parliaments, have demanded the participation of women in pacifying the situation in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.

The demand was issued by the Kurdish Anti-Mass Annihilation Institute, a non-governmental institute in Iraqi Kurdistan, led by the Leader in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and former Minister and Kurdistan Parliament Member, Chinar Saad, who had organized a symposium, attended by women activists in Kurdisrtan.

“The Women Activists have demanded in their meeting to put an end for the media war among Kurdistan’s ruling parties and the opposition, in the nearest possible time and holding an urgent meeting, with no conditions between the ruling authority and the opposition,” Chinar Saad told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

In conclusion, Chinar Saad, reiterated necessity to “grant great attention, to march forward in the administrative and political reform program by the Kurdistan Authority, being an important reform point to improve the conditions of women in Kurdistan and their participation in discussions among different parties, in the aim of pacifying the conditions and the implementation of the reform program in Kurdistan Region.”

SKH (RT)

UNESCO celebrates World Press Freedom Day

shady — Tue, 03 May 2011 21:14:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A festival was held today under the auspice of the UNESCO to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day.
The slogan of the festivity was "the New Media".
Dr. Abdulameer Faisal said during the festivity, which was attended by Aswat al-Iraq news agency, that the "Iraqi media has become free that gained it a new identity".
He pointed out that the "electronic media has prevailed in the Iraqi press institutions.”
Dhia Al-Sarai, of the UNESCO information and communications department, said that the greatest achievement is the establishment of Iraqi Internet Writers Federation.
Journalist Imad Jassim told Aswat al-Iraq news agency that "the Iraqi journalists have the bigger role in making the changes in Iraq on the levels of freedom of opinion and achievement of social justice".

RM (TP)/ SH

Iraqi singer appointed UNICEF Good-will ambassador

shady — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:20:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Artist singer Kadhim Al-Saher was appointed as UNICEF Good-will Ambassador to Iraq, UN Organization announced today.
In a joint conference between the UNICEF and Al-Saher, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, both declared that the new UN program is directed to meet the needs of Iraqi children, particularly those living in the countryside.
Al-Saher promised to do his best to follow-up Iraqi children's needs.
Al-Saher has his own reputation in Iraq as well as the Middle East and North Africa areas.
He was born in Mosul, north Iraq, in 1957 and got many prizes and decorations on the Arab levels.
The UNICEF works in Iraq since 1983 in coordination with the Iraqi government to lay down clear-cut policies to develop the lives of children and gaining their rights.
The organization works in 150 countries all over the world to help the children stay alive.
It, also, provides assistance in health care, children nutrition and basic teaching.

RM (TP)/SH

Death threat against Kurdish magazine editor

susan — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:24:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Journalistic Freedoms Observatory (JFO) expressed its grave indignation for the mistreatment practiced against Kurdistan journalists by influential sectors there.

According to the JFO's statement, a copy of which was received by Aswat al-Iraq, Lifin magazine Editor-in-Chief Ahmed Mira received death threats, which he reported to the JFO's representative in Kurdistan.

The statement added that the threat was pronounced by a telephone call from Peshmerga Minister Jaffar Mustafa on the evening of 25 April.

"The JFO informed the Head of the Government in the Kurdistan Region of the threat. As of yet, nothing has been done," the statement added.

Minister Mustafa denied the threats saying, "I did not threaten him with death, and will not threat anyone else."

The Observatory called on Kurdistan's President and head of the government to "seriously consider these threats against the journalists and determine their position on the threat of Minister Mustapha, because he is an official personality in the region. It further urged the government cease ll arrangement that hinder the freedom of media in Kurdistan..

RM (TS)/SR

Tribal conference calls for Ninewa Governor’s resignation and U.S. forces departure

subhy — Wed, 18 May 2011 09:42:00 GMT

NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: Arab, Kurdish tribes, political leaderships and civil society organizations, have demanded the resignation of north Iraq Ninewa’s Governor and its Council, along with the departure of the U.S. forces from Iraq, non-extension of their presence and release of prisoners.

“The crippled projects, lack of services and government’s negligence had forced us to hold the conference of Ninewa tribes and their outstanding personalities in Ninewa on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Ninewa Governor, Athel al-Nujeify and his Council, due to the negligence by the Council over the past period,” the Emir (prince) of Shammar tribes, Sheikh Fawaz al-Jarba, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency said on Tuesday.

He said “the isolation of the local government in Ninewa from the central government on one part and Kurdistan Region on the other, had shared a lot in undermining security and stability in the Province.”

“The conferees have issued an 11-point statement, most outstanding of which had been demanding the Parliament to dissolve the Province’s Council and its local government, the formation of a temporary transitional council, along with the departure of the American forces and non-extension of their presence, release of political detainees, and returning Ninewa detainees from Baghdad and Kurdistan prisons, for investigation in Mosul, according to their original location,” Sheikh Fawaz said.

The conference was attended by security personalities, including the Commander of the 3^rd Division of the Iraqi Army, Major-General, Mahdi Sabih al-Azzawi and a representative of the Commander of Ninewa Operations.

Mosul, the center of Ninewa Province, is 405 km to the north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

SKH (RT)

UNOPS Helps NGOs for Work

susan — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:19:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: United Nations for Services Projects Bureau

disclosed today that great obstacles are facing the non-governmental organizations in Iraq in their work without official registration.

In a statement issued by the bureau, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, it added that a few number of the these NGOs completed their registration, which lead to initiating this project to help them concentrate on the issues they are working on.

The statement added that following the endorsement of NGO law in March 2010, the Bureau (UNOPS) and the International Center for NGOs' Laws (ICNL) began a campaign to enlighten the registration of the organizations.

Bureau's Baghdad Office Chief Adam S. Rickovisky said that the NGOs in Iraq cannot work without being registered, but there is not enough understanding of the registration operation.

"By helping them, we will be able to assist them dealing with problems, such as the improvement of basic services and to meet the need of young generation", he added.

Deputy Director of NGOs Department Perwin Mohammed Amin added it was important to develop an easy statement for the registration, which shall be available on its site (www.ngoao.gov.iq).

The project will provide training and a booklet to help NGOs to renew their registration certificate.

It is expected that the total figure will 600 NGOs all over Iraq.

The Burea started workshops in Arbil to prepare the trainers before sending them all over the country during the coming months, the statement added.

During the first training course, which was attended by parliament representatives , government and NGOs, Minsiter of State for Civil Society Dakheel Qassim Hassoun stated that "it is important to solve the obstacles and facilitate registration".

The statement added that the project to facilitate the registration of the NGOs was financed by the European Union, Finnish government and other donators through UN Fund to Support Iraq, US State Department- Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour.

UNOPS and ICNL supported laying down Iraqi NGOs law for many years, which included provision of experts and coordination among regional organizations, government and parliament.

RM (TS)/SR

UNSG’s Representative in Iraq calls for improvement of workers conditions

subhy — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:08:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Iraq, Ad Melkert, has called for the improvement of the workers conditions in Iraq, in order to achieve a prosperous and free economy in the country.

“We want to see the Iraqi economy achieve prosperity in serving the Iraqi people and to act on some necessary issues and reforms, through Iraq’s activity to improve the workers conditions, putting an end for unemployment and Iraq’s entrance in the world market,” Melkert said in a speech in the Conference of Iraqi Economic Partnership, held in the Parliament building on Tuesday.

Melkert said that “such issues need some constitutional reforms, for which we had presented 5 recommendations, including the decrease of unemployment in Iraq to the least possible level, granting full freedom for workers and laying down of laws to protect them, along with the achievement of good working opportunities for them, as well as the achievement of social justice in the labor and equal opportunities.”

The UN Official also called on the Iraqi government to “act according to the said recommendations, including the liquidation of the administrative corruption and laying down proper laws to serve the Iraqi citizens, thing that will help to create a good environment to establish a free Iraqi market.”

The works of the Conference of Partnership among Economists, Social and Government Activists, had began early on Tuesday, under chairmanship of Iraq’s Parliament Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify, UNSC’s Representative in Iraq, Ad Melkert, and participation by several Iraqi and Arab Economists and Businessmen.

SKH (RT)

"We looks for building a national economic system," Iraq’s Parliament Speaker says

subhy — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:38:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Parliament Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify, has said on Tuesday that he was looking forward for the building of a national economic system that insures equivalence in rights, opportunities and duties in Iraq.

“We must all cooperate, each stemming from his position, experience and potentials, to achieve or lay correct basis, in order to achieve stability and peace for our homeland, as well as freedom and prosperity for our people,” Nujeify said in a speech at the Iraqi Economic Partnership Conference, held in the Parliament’s building.

“We are all looking forward to restore our people back into a productive and not consumptive people, taking into consideration that Iraqis have initiated the beginning of the civilization of the whole humanity,” he said.

The works of the Conference for Partnership of Economists, Social and Government Activists, was opened in Baghdad early in the day, under chairmanship of the Parliament Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify and the UNSG’s Special Representative in Iraq, Ad Melkert, with the presence of a number of Iraqi and Arab Businessmen.

SKH (IT)

Iraq’s “February Youth Movement” to hold news conference after detention of 4 of its members

subhy — Sun, 29 May 2011 12:27:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s “February Youth Movement,” participating in the organization of demonstrations in central Baghdad’s al-Tahrir (Liberation) Square has announced on Saturday that it would hold a news conference at the headquarters of the Iraqi Peace & Solidarity Council in Baghdad, to explain details of the detention of four of its activists, after a demonstration last Friday.

“The February Youth Movement shall hold a news conference at the headquarters of the Peace & Solidarity Council in Baghdad’s al-Wathiq Square, to listen to live details by demonstrators, who shared in al-Tahrir demonstration last Friday, about the detention of four of its members by the Iraqi Army’s 11^th Division,” an activist of the Movement told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

He said that the conference would also explain the incident of arresting 11 members of “Ayna Haqqi (Where is My Right?)” organization on Saturday, being one of the civil society organizations, adding that a security force had attacked its headquarters in central Baghdad’s al-Midan Square, damaged its contents, confiscated its files and computers, along with the detention of 11 persons, including a woman, among them the organization’s Secretary-General, Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed, after blindfolding their eyes.

Noteworthy is that one of the activists in the group, calling itself “Iraqi Streets for Change,” who was present in al-Tahrir Square’s Friday demonstration, told Aswat al-Iraq that the four detained young men were Moayad al-Tayib, Ali al-Jaf, Ahmed al-Baghdadi and Jihad Jalil, who were among 250 demonstrators, who gathered in al-Tahrir Square, criticizing the Iraqi government for its failure to present public services and the deterioration of the living standards of the people, despite the close end of the 100-day period, defined by the government to improve the activity of the ministries and carrying out reforms.

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, had defined on 28/2/2011, a 100-day period, scheduled to end on June 7^th next, to be followed by an evaluation of the activity of the government and each ministry aside.

Maliki’s decision followed a series of demonstrations that took place in Baghdad and other Iraqi Provinces on February 25^th, demanding an end for corruption, the improvement of public services and living standards of the people, as well as putting an end for unemployment in the country.

SKH (FT)

Turks, Kurds, Turkmen discuss joint problems in Arbil workshop

susan — Sun, 29 May 2011 19:41:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: During a 2-day workshop, a number of Turkish, Kurds and Turkmen intellectuals, politicians , tribal sheikhs, and elderly people discussed the problems facing the region, particularly those connected with the Kurds and Turkmen.

Turkish NGO Ekopolitik organized the workshop in Shaqlawa, Arbil province, with the participation of 30 intellectuals and journalists and 60 Kurdish and Turkmen personalities from Iraq and Kurdish region.

Ekopolitick coordinator Tariq Culunk told Aswat al-Iraq that "the aim of this workshop is to discuss the problems faced by the region, by a number of specialists, in order to find solutions."

"The Kurdish question cannot be solved in Turkey without the role played by Kurdistan. We cannot solve the problem of the Turkmen in Kirkuk without taking the Turkish role into consideration," he added.

Participating Turkish journalist Awni Azkoler, of The Radical, told Aswat al-Iraq that "Turkey wants to enter into the European Union with more democracy, because not only does Turkey have the problem of the Kurds to deal with, but also the Turkish Shiites."

He stressed that the Kurdish question in Turkey is going to be solved, with its positive effects on Iran and Kurdistan.

"I believe that the Kurdish question in Turkey shall be peacefully solved, and will affect the situation in Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, because of the greater number of the Kurds are living in Turkey," he noted.

He concluded that the Kurdish question will be solved on the con-federal system and the Kurdistan Kurds of Iraq shall be united with Turkey in con-federal system.

RM (TI)/SR

Means of cooperation between Human Rights Ministry and NGOs discussed

susan — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:53:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights held a meeting with 30 non-governmental organization to discuss mechanisms to disseminate a culture of human rights.

In a statement issued by the Human Rights Ministry, a copy of which was received by Aswat al-Iraq, the Ministry's spokesman Kamil Ameen called for NGOs registration or registration to "not use them for terrorist means, because the ministry will not deal with the unregistered NGOs.

He called to "check the figures reported by international human rights organizations, because most of them are not accurate, through contacting census departments at the ministry of planning."

On their side, the NGOs representatives submitted a number of proposals to facilitate work with the ministry, pointing out that lack of financing and culture in human rights fields, as well as the non-cooperation of governmental establishments are the main reasons for the obstacles facing their work.

RM (TS)/SR

Iraq’s aids vessel, heading for Bahrain, blocked by Iraqi coastal guards

subhy — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:01:00 GMT

BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Coastal Guards have blocked a steamer, loaded with food and medical aids, on its way for Bahrain on Friday, Iraq’s Former, Transport Minister, Salam al-Maliki said.

“Al-Mukhtar Vessel, loaded with food and medical aids donated by civil society and popular organizations, had been blocked by Iraqi Coastal Guards on Friday, while on its way for Bahrain, Maliki told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

He said the steamer also carried 80 members of Iraqi civil society organizations, expressing support for the Bahraini people, suffering from recent security deterioration in Bahrain.

Salam al-Maliki added that the “solidarity tour was organized by the so-called al-Ahad Institution, with the support of several social society and popular organizations.”

SKH (ST)

Iraqi demonstration youths hold meeting in Turkey

susan — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 17:54:00 GMT

ISTANBUL / Aswat al-Iraq: A number of Iraqi youths organizations organizing internal protests and demonstrations met here today to organize efforts and make general protests in Baghdad and other provinces following the end of the 100-day time table set by Premier Nouri Al-Maliki to evaluate the work of the ministries and provinces.

Head of the organizing committee of the conference Ayad Al-Zamili told Aswat al-Iraq that "it is the first of its kind since the outburst of popular protests in Iraq last February".

On 25 February,2011, demonstrations roamed all over Iraqi provinces upon a call made by activists and social NGOs through the internet protesting the deterioration of basic services, demanding to combat corruption, calling for political reforms and provision of work opportunities.

Zamili pointed out that the goal of this conference is "to put solid bases of cooperation among Iraqi youth organizations and the media, inside and outside the country, as well as to coordinate efforts to find suitable mechanism and unify their words, following the oppression made by Premier Maliki which resulted in tens of casualties".

On the reason for choosing Turkey, he elaborated that "due to the security deterioration and governmental arrests for a number of activists during the past period, we had to meet in Turkey".

"We do not have the intention to establish a party of political organization, but only to unify efforts on a road map for their movement, to be added to that of the Iraqi people, after the end of the 100 days set by Maliki, that ends on 7 of this month to achieve the promised reforms demanded by the Iraqi people", he elaborated.

Premier Maliki set, on 27 February 2011, a time table of 100 days for the ministries and provinces to better their work and develop services in the country.

Maliki threatened the resignation of the government if it is unable to fulfill the projects entrusted to them, while Parliament Speaker Usama Nujaifi spoke of withdrawing confidence from any minister who will be unable to implement 75% of his ministry's programme.

Zamili expected new demonstrations will take place after three days of the final date under the banner "Friday of Decision and Leaving".

"The lessons of the previous months obliged to work on bases of cooperation to be a factor to implement the demands of the people", he added.

On the recommendations of the conference, Zamili added "there are certain demands for the government and the parliament, because they are of the people, not ours, mainly to reject sectarianism in administering the Iraqi government and encourage the supervision role of the parliament, forming a national, efficient and specialized government.

According to Zamili, the recommendations will demand "opening all corruption dossiers for all post-2003 governments, including the US civil administration and adopting international standards for human rights and general freedoms".

"We expect that the second meeting of these movements shall be held in Baghdad, in case of better security circumstances and less pressures on the work of these organizations", he concluded.

RM/(TR)/SR

Iraq’s National Conference on Human Rights calls for achievement of legal guarantees for Freedom of Opinion

subhy — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:29:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s National Conference on Human Rights has called for the implementation of the human rights recommendations about necessity to support the efforts of the civil society organizations to implement and activate the national plan in this respect, as well as the securing of legal guarantees for the freedom of opinion, according to a statement by the Iraqi Ministry for Civil Society Organizations on Wednesday.

The Ministry, according to the final statement of the Social Society Organizations, regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Human Rights Council, copy of which was received by Aswat al-Iraq news Agency, had recommended “necessity for the activation of the draft-national plan for human rights in Iraq, laid by the Ministry and the support of social society efforts to boost and activate the national plan, as well as the adoption of the cases of victims of the former regime, terrorism and violence acts, as well as defending them strongly.”

The conference had also called for “the activation of legal guarantees, regarding detentions and confirmation of practicing of the law and rejecting illegal detentions by the security forces, as well as the improvement of the circumstances of prisoners, according to the Constitution and the international principles, along with the achievement of strong legal guarantees for the freedom of opinion and expression, and the acceleration of the legislation of the law on the freedom of press, in such a way that won’t undermine the right for freedom of opinion and expression.”

The Conference of the UN Human Rights Council in Iraq was held during the period from June 5^th to 7^th, with the support by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), at the building of Iraq’s Parliament, during which the national plan was discussed, in compliance with the recommendations of the periodical review of Iraq’s conditions in this respect for the year 2010.

SKH (RT)

Demands for early elections in Nassiriya

susan — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:31:00 GMT

THI QAR / Aswat al-Iraq: About 300 persons demonstrated in the center of Nassiriya city today demanding early elections, an organizer noted.

Adel Thamer told Aswat al-Iraq that "the 100 days are finished without any tangible developments in the services. In addition, the justifications given by the government were not convincing."

"The government made unrealistic promises, even to itself," he added.

Tens of Thi Qar citizens demonstrated last Wednesday before the Provincial Council's premises demanding the resignation of the governor, better services, distribution of food ration card and provide new work opportunities.

Nassiriya city, the center of Thi Qar Province, lies 380 km south of the capital, Baghdad.

RM (TS)/SR

Resignation of local government demanded in Diwaniyah

susan — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:35:00 GMT

DIWANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: The spokesman of the Youth for Change Movement in Diwaniya province said that more than 1500 demonstrators called for improvements in the deteriorating situation of the province, in addition to the resignation of Diwaniya's local government.

Abu Ihab al-Khuza'I told Aswat al-Iraq that more than 1500 protestors marched before the old premises of the province in the city demanding better living conditions.

He added that the demonstration was peaceful. Demonstrators carryied slogans for the local and central governments to fulfill their promises in improving the social conditions in the province.

Diwaniya lies 180 km south of the capital, Baghdad.

RM (TS)/SR

Tribal sheikhs hit demonstrators with sticks

susan — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:56:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Eye witnesses in Tahreer square said that a number of tribal sheikhs attacked young demonstrators.

The eye witness told Aswat al-Iraq that the sheikhs hit the demonstrators with sticks they were carrying, in addition to punching and kicking them.

The sheikhs demanded in their slogans for the execution of those responsible for the wedding massacre of 2006.

Another source said to Aswat al-Iraq that the sheikhs turned their slogans to defend Premier Nouri al-Maliki.

In Tahreer square, the first demonstration was held following the end of the 100 days stipulated by Premier Maliki to evaluate the work of his government and the provinces.

The citiizens dissatisfaction with the government will force it to confront some hard choices.

RM (TS)/SR

Early elections demanded in Basra

susan — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:02:00 GMT

BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: Hundreds of members of the Democratic Trend in Basra gathered today in the center town demanding early elections, in addition to governmental reforms, as stated by one of the leaders of the protest.

The secretary of Basra's Communist Party Commission, Abu Mohammed, told Aswat al-Iraq that "hundreds of leftist democratic parties are gathered to "incite both local and central governments to implement the reforms demanded by the citizens."

"The demonstrators called for governmental reforms, provision of water and electricity, mobilizing deserted factories, combating corruption and find new work opportunities," another leader Abu Ali elaborated.

He added that the democratic parties demanded early elections through a just and democratic law.

Basra lies 590 km south of the capital, Baghdad.

RM (TS)/SR

Iraq’s Parliament ends 2nd reading of Journalists Protection and Sports & Youth Ministry’s laws

subhy — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:04:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Parliament has ended on Sunday the 2^nd reading of the draft-laws on Journalists Protection and the Ministry of Sports & Youth, for which the Parliament Members have proposed adjustments on the Journalists Protection Law and necessity that it covers all journalists, working the mass media.

“The Parliament’s 1^st ordinary session for its 2^nd Legislative Year, was held under chairmanship of its Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify and attendance by 184 Members on Sunday, during which it listened to the 2^nd reading of the draft-laws on Protection of Journalists and the Ministry of Sports & Youth,” according to a statement of the Council’s Media office.

The statement pointed out that the Members of Parliament have said that the Journalists Protection Law had concentrated on necessity to carry out some justifications on the draft-law, to cover all journalists, working in the media, as well as increasing the compensations paid to the its victims, as well as enabling the media to get its information freely.

Legislature, Habib al-Turfy, has called for the defining of the party, concerned with granting pension salaries for martyrs and victims of journalism.

MP Fatima al-Zargany demanded the legislation of a special law for journalists, including their duties and commitments, whilst Saad Hamza called for non-hiding information from journalists, in accordance with the openness, witnessed by Iraq after the downfall of the former dictatorship.

Legislature Latif Mustapha had reaffirmed necessity that the law includes laying a mechanism to prevent state institutions to present information for the press.

As regards to the draft-law on the Ministry of Sports & Youth, MP Walid al-Hilly said that “the financing of sports clubs can be financed by the government and necessity to establish an institute for education and youth centers, not only for sports, but also for protection of human rights, democracy and love among people.

SKH (RT)

Elections Commission prepared for Kurdistan Regional Elections, official says

subhy — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:45:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Kurdistan Elections Commission is heading forward to prepare for the elections of the Provinces of north Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, according to the Commission’s Chairman on Thursday.

“The Higher Elections Commission had not ceased its works in Kurdistan Region and had not received any order by an executive or legislative offices to stop its activity,” Ali Qader told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, pointing out that the Commission’s daily routine works regarding the modernization of the electorates records were continuing.

He said that “the previous registration and voting centers were enough and shall open to carry out the modernization of the electorates,” adding that “the record of the electorates in the Region is the best such record in Iraq, thanks to the cooperation by its citizens, the media and the social society organizations, instigating citizens of modernize their records.”

Qader said that the number of voting centers in Kurdistan Region has reached 79 branch centers in Sulaimaniya, 53 in Erbil and 43 in Dohuk Provinces.

The Chairman of the Higher Elections Commission, Faraj al-Haidary, had told Aswat al-Iraq recently that Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, had instructed the freezing of the Commission’s activity, but Haidary said the Commission would continue its work unless the Iraqi Parliament would support the Prime Minister’s decision.

Noteworthy is that the Iraqi Parliament had questioned the Higher Independent Elections Commission in three sessions, in response for a demand by the State of Law Coalition, led by Maliki, charging it with material and administrative corruption.

SKH (RT)

Parliament Speaker refuses any commitment towards U.S. if compensates won’t be paid for Iraqis

subhy — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:06:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Parliament Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify, has vowed not to commit himself towards the United States, if the American side won’t guarantee the right of the Iraqi people in compensations for the losses caused by the country’s occupation, a former Iraqi legislature said on Thursday.

The former Independent Legislature, Hussein al-Fallujy, leading a national campaign, demanding Iraq’s compensations for the losses caused by the American side, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency that “Nujeify had vowed in a meeting with him and a number of other Parliament members, that “any commitment won’t be given to the American side, unless it guarantees the right of the Iraqi people, especially the compensations of the Iraqis harmed by the American side.”

He said that the “Chairman of al-Iraqiya Coalition’s list in the Parliament, Salman al-Jumeily and its Legislature, Jaber al-Jabiry, have supported Nujeify’s decision.”

The former Iraqi Legislature, Hussein al-Fallujy, had led a campaign, demanding the American side to pay compensations for the people of Iraq, estimated at billions (b) of dollars, after eight years of U.S. occupation or presence in Iraq.

SKH (IT)

Salaries of Families of Karbala Martyr’s tripled

subhy — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:40:00 GMT

KARABALA / Aswat al-Iraq: The salaries of families of martyrs of southwest Iraq’s Shiite holy city of Karbala have been increased by about three folds, which would be paid for them for the past 18 months, the Karbala Martrys Directorate reported on Thursday.

“The Pensions Department has began to distribute the new salaries for the families of martyrs, officially registered in the Department, that were increased after a decision by the Iraqi Parliament,” the Directorate’s Director-General, Ahmed Abdul-Wahid al-Tayar told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

He said “the families of the martyrs can receive their salaries from the Pensions Department, as from Dec. 2010,” he said, adding that the number of families registered by his Department was 3,295 families.”

“The salary of each martyr’s family, with one martyr, is 610,000 dinars, instead of its previous salary of 260,000 dinars, whilst a family with 2 martyrs shall receive 620,000 dinars, instead of 270,000 dinars, and the family with 3 martyrs shall receive 630,000, instead of 280,000 dinars, he concluded.

SKH (IT)

Civilian Organization charges government with arresting 7 of its activists in Baghdad demonstration

subhy — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 09:24:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: An Iraqi civilian organization, calling itself “Popular Coordination Movement Commission,” has charged government security forces with detaining 7 of its activists, who shared in a demonstration in central Baghdad on Friday.

“The government of Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has detained a number of our organization’s young activists due to their participation in the “Sovereignty Friday Demonstration,” as an evidence for the continuation of the government’s dictatorial course to terrorise demonstrators,” an organization’s statement reported.

Member of the organization’s Commission member, Laith Mohammed Riza, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Friday that a security force had detained 4 of its young men, who shared in the Friday demonstration, demanding an end for foreign interferences in Iraq’s affairs.

The statement shouldered Maliki’s government with “responsibility for the safety of the detained young men,” confirming its right to “raise a case before local and foreign judiciary to demand human judiciary and human rights organizations to interfere to release the detained young men.”

UNICEF: 194 children killed, 232 wounded in 2010

susan — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:38:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: UNICEF expressed its concern today for random acts of violence committed against Iraqi children, reminding that its reports said more than 200 Iraqi children were killed and 230 were hit in violent actions in 2010.

In a report, as received by Aswat al-Iraq, on the Iraqi Child Day, UNICEF said that 376 children were killed and 1594 wounded in violent actions in 2008, killing 362 and wounding 1044 in 2009, while 2010 reports said 194 children were killed and wounding 232.

Iraqi governmental reports said that the first nine months of 2010 witnessed the killing 134 children and wounding 590 in violent armed actions.

UNICEF is working in Iraq since 1983 to support Iraqi government in laying down suitable policies for the children and building qualified institutions to preserve the rights of the children in the country.

RM (TS)/SR

Aswat al-Iraq correspondent chosen rapporteur

susan — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:00:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A committee to prepare the draft law of "the right to get the information" chose Mr. Adel Fakher of Aswat al-Iraq as a rapporteur.

The meeting of the committee was held at the Iraqi Association for the Defense of the Rights of Journalists.

It was agreed to crystallize all ideas, have a full knowledge of Arab and international laws and to be adapted according to the limits of the Iraqi society, as reported by the Chairman of the Association Ibraheem Al-Saraji to Aswat al-Iraq.

It is expected that the draft law will be announced by the end of this month in order to get notes and suggestions before its final declaration.

Specialists in international law, media and freedom law were invited to take part.

RM (TS)/SR

Denunciations for arresting press photographer

susan — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:33:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Press Freedoms Observatory and the Iraqi Association for the Defense of Freedom of Journalists denounced today the arrest of press photographer while he was covering the demonstrations of Yesterday in Tahrir Square mid of Baghdad.

In a statement by the Press Freedoms Observatory, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, denunciation was expressed for arresting the photographer Saad Allah Al-Khalidi during his duty on Friday.

It added that the "arrest is a very dangerous precedent that should be countered at the parliament and the higher legislative council.

On the other hand, the Iraqi Association for the Defense of Freedom of Journalists issued a statement, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, in which it condemned the atrocities against the journalists as "avowed attack against the freedom of expression and gagging the freedom of press".

Khalidi works as press photographer for NINA news agency and Iraqi Future daily.

RM (TS)/SR

State of Law, White al-Iraqiya withdraw from Parliament session in protest to non-voting against Elections Commission

subhy — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:29:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The State of Law Coalition, led by Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki and the White al-Iraqiya Alliance, led by Legislature, Hassan Allawi, have withdrawn from the Parliament’s session on Thursday, in protest to its non-voting to withdraw trust from the Elections Commission.

“The State of Law Coalition and the White al-Iraqiya Alliance have withdrawn from the Parliament’s session today (Thursday), in protest against non-voting to withdraw trust from the Elections Commission,” a Parliament source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, adding that both blocs would hold a news conference to explain their decision.

The High Independent Elections Commission was charged with corruption during the last nationwide elections that took place in Iraq in March, 2010.

SKH (PT)

Talabani, Maliki, Allawi, other Leaders attend funeral of Barzani’s mother in Arbil

subhy — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 09:05:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Parliament Speaker Usama al-Nujeify, al-Iraqiya Leader Iyad Allawi, Vice-Presidents Tareq al-Hashimy and Khudhier al-Khuzae and a number of Parliament Members, religious and social leaders have attended in Arbil on Friday the funeral of Kurdistan President’s Mother, Lady Hamael Khan, who passéd away last Wednesday.

The government of North Iraq’s Kurdistan Region had announced a 3-day mourning on occasion of the death of Barzani’s Mother, who passed away last Wednesday, a Kurdistan statement reported.

Late Hamel Khan, born in 1926, was married to the Late Kurdish Leader and Massoud’s Father, Mulla Mustapha Barzani in 1944, with whom she participated in the formation of the Kurdish Mahabad Republic in northeastern Iran and gave berth to their eldest son, Masoud Barzani, now the President of Kurdisan Region on August 16, 1946.

SKH (ST)

Iraq’s Christian al-Rafidain Bloc says that minorities depend on national partnership, does not oppose U.S. Envoy

subhy — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:21:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Christian al-Rafidain Parliamentary bloc had rejected any interference in the country’s national affairs, confirming its dependence on the national partnership to protect it, whilst it announced non-rejection of the appointment of an American Envoy as Observer in Iraq.

The U.S. House of Representatives had agreed on Saturday on the appointment of a special envoy on human rights and the protection of the religious minorities in Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan and other Middle East and South-Asian states, pending the final approval by the U.S. Senate on the decision.

“The appointment of the said Envoy is alright, as an observer towards such rights, though we reject interference in our patriotic and nationalist affairs, thing that would have its passive and not positive impact,” Legislature Younadim Kanna told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, confirming that “the minorities depend in the national partnership to protect their rights.”

Kanna reiterated that “such international observation shall represent a strong opposition for the religious and nationalist extremists.”

Member of the Iraqi Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, Hussein Khudhier al-Hamdani had told Aswat al-Iraq early in the day that “the appointment of an American Envoy to protect minorities in some countries, including Iraq, is considered as one of the means for foreign interference in the country’s affairs.”

SKH (RT)

Call to press Iraq stop "aggression", threat to boycott Iranian commodities, civil activist

susan — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:12:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Civil activist Hana' Adwar called upon the Iraqi government to press the Iranian government to stop its "aggressions" against Iraq, threatening to boycott Iranian goods and commodities.

Adwar is a member in the coordination committee for NGO national initiative in Iraq.

Adwar told Aswat al-Iraq following a visit to the border areas under Iranian bombardment, that she met immigrant families who were "in bad conditions", stressing that "the assistance is limited and the children are living in difficult milieu".

On the presence of PJAK forces in the area, Adwar stated "nothing strange we found in the area. We did not see them, except the families and border guards".

Adwar, who heads Iraqi Hope Society, threatened to boycott Iranian goods if the aggression continued, as well as cutting off Wind River waters.

Kurdish border villages are under daily Iranian bombardments under the pretext of following up anti-Iranian PJAK members

RM (TS)/SR

"Meeting of Revolutionaries" demonstration on 9 September next

susan — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:19:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Youth Committees in Baghdad are preparing to organize "big" demonstration on 9 September next to demand the eradication of corruption and unemployment, as well as provision of services.

Activist and journalist Laith Mohammed Redha told Aswat al-Iraq that "many contacts were made among youth organizations, intellectuals and media personalities to organize a big demonstration which shall be called (the meeting of the revolutionaries)."

It shall be similar to the first demonstrations which was held on 25 February, 2011.

Since that date, demonstrations were held in most Iraqi provinces, but diminished to weekly Friday gatherings in Baghdad.

The demonstrations called for the eradication of corruption and unemployment, as well non- interference of neighboring countries in Iraqi internal affairs.

One of the main results of these demonstration is the trimming of the government from 43 ministries into 29.

RM (TI)/SR

Southern Iraq’s Basra Province demands to transform it into a Federal Region

subhy — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:46:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Chairman of southern Iraq’s Basra Province, 550 km to the south of Baghdad, has announced on Saturday that his Council had sent a new demand for Iraq’s Council of Ministers to activate the legal measures to transform Basra into a Federal Region, a demand opposed by others.

“Federalism is a constitutional right and we are marching forward in this trend, as more than half of Basra’s Council members support this decision, which the Council of Ministers must organize a referendum in this respect,” he said adding that “the supporters of the project are Independent elements in the State of Law Coalition, along with al-Fadeela Party and some members of al-Daawa Party.”

On his part, the Legislature of the Sadrist Trend, Uday Awad said: “there can’t be a call to form a Region in the south with the presence of the occupation forces, striving to divide Iraq into mini-states and sectarian cantons,” adding that “after the departure of the occupation forces, if the people demands federations or regions, we won’t stand against that and shall respond for the will of the people, for sure.”

In the mean time, the Chairman of the Reconstruction Committee in Basra Province, Mustapha Attiya, who belongs to al-Daawa Party – Iraq Branch – said that “the project for the formation a Region won’t succeed, because there exists political confrontations and there are parties, who reject the project completely, whilst others call for he formation of the South Region, to comprise Basra, Thi-Qar and Missan Provinces, whilst a third party is calling for the establishment of the Central and Southern Region of Iraq.”

“It is supposed that Federalism be based on full agreement among all parties, with higher parties to have the decisive word, with the Religious Authority to be in its forefront,” Attiya said.

SKH (RT)

Iraq’s Christians commemorate 78th anniversary of massacre against them

subhy — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:27:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi Christians, including Chaldo-Sirians and Assyrians, have commemorated on Sunday the 78^th anniversary of the so-called Summail

Massacre, carried out during the government of Rashid Aali al-Gailany’s government in the Royalist regime that ruled Iraq from 1921 to 1958.

“The Christian Chaldo-Sirians and Assyrians are commemorating today (Sunday) the 78^th anniversary of the Summail Massacre, stemming from their appreciation of their nationalism and patriotism,” the Christian Legislature, Khalis Isho’a told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Isho’a also said that “Iraqi Christians are demanding to site the said painful massacre in the Iraqi Constitution’s text, similar to other massacres, committed against the people of Iraq.”

The Summail Massacre took place in northern Iraq, through organized genoside operations during the regime of Prime Minister Rashid Aali al-Gailany, that was escalated between 8-11 August, 1933 in 63 villages of Mosul Province, that comprised the current Provinces of Dohuk and Mosul at that time, leading to the killing of large numbers of Christians.

“The Chaldo-Sirian-Assyrian people remember today (Sunday) the massacres of Summail, stemming from their appreciation of their nationality, for which they fought to achieve since 1915 massacres, along with the Summail Massacre of 1933 in 63 villages of Mosul Province and the massacres of 1969, along with the so-called Anfal Massacres, carried out against Kurds and Christians, until the current date, during which those people are still suffering,” Isho’a said.

He called “for finding out a real solution to stop such bloodsheds (against Christians) and to add the said painful massacres in the text of the Iraqi Constitution, having been carried out against a peaceful people, in a savage way.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Chaldo-Assyrian Students & Youth Federation, Caldo Ramzi, told Aswat al-Iraq that “the said commemoration represents a symbol for the struggle of that people for a pride life, being an advance of sacrifice to gain their nationalistic and patriotic rights,” burdening “the large political blocs in Iraq, without exception, for the sufferings of the Chaldo-Sirian and Assyrian) Christians during the past few years, along with the policy of their intensive marginalization, despite their high scientific and academic potentials.”

Ramzi said that “three festivals are being held now in Dohuk, Baghdad and Ainkawa township in Arbil on the said occasion, including theatrical shows, poems and songs, as well as different artistic activities,” pointing out that the activities have been organized by “the Chaldo-Sirian-Assyrian organizations and a number of Social Community organizations in Iraq.

SKH (FT)

Iraq’s Justice & Reform Movement expresses solidarity with Syrian demos

subhy — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:14:00 GMT

NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: The Secretary-General of Iraq’s Justice & Reform Movement has announced solidarity with the Syrian people on Monday, demanding the Iraqi Parliament to take a similar position in support of the unity of the Syrian people.

“At the time when we announce our solidarity and support towards our brothers of the Syrian people, against the atrocities against their peaceful demonstrations, detentions and killing of demonstrators calling for freedom, we confirm necessity for the unity of Syria and the protection of its people, their pride and homeland,” Sheikh Abdullah Humaidy Ajil al-Yawar told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“We are all gathered under the identity of one (Arab) Nation and the sufferings of our Syrian brothers reflects our sufferings as well; and we are surprised for the silence of the Iraqi Parliament towards the sufferings of our Syrian brothers, whilst the Parliament have taken a different position towards the protestors in Bahrain,” Yawar said.

Yawar, meanwhile, called on the Syrian protestors and demonstrators to be “vigilant against sneakers and terrorists, trying to distort the image of the peaceful demonstrations, demanding rights and freedoms,” warning against what he described as “the Iranian and Israeli agenda, trying to divide the (Arab) Region.”

Noteworthy is that a number of Arab states, including Syria and other Middle Eastern areas are facing a wave of popular protests, demanding democracy, political and economic reforms.

SKH (RT)

Young Activists grant Iraq PM Maliki’s government “last” chance to resign!

subhy — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:42:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Young Activist, Laith Mohammed Reza, has said on Wednesday that a group of Young Activists have granted the government of Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, what it termed as the “last” chance to present its resignation, due to “its sectarian policy, suppressing peaceful demonstrations and the press,” or else the Activists would “launch protest demonstrations, similar to the demonstrations of February 25^th last.”

“The ‘chance,’ the Youth have decided to grant Maliki and his government, is 30 days, beginning on Aug. 9^th and ending on Sept. 9^th,” Reza, Member of the so-called ‘Committee for Coordinating the Popular Move,’ said, adding that “in the event of the government’s non-response for the said ‘chance,’ granted for it by the demonstrators, the 9^th of September shall witness a huge demonstration, that will be a 2^nd copy of the great February 25^th demonstration.”

Reza said that “the September 9^th demonstration shall be organized with better organization and will carry a central demand, calling for the resignation of the government and its ministers, striving for power and representing all political blocs, to be followed by escalated steps, such as sit-in demonstrations and leaning to the International Organizations, in the event of the government’s non-response or attacking the demonstrations.”

Laith Mohammed Reza leads a gathering, calling itself “The Citizen’s Gathering for Iraq’s Students & Youth,” one of the forces, belonging to the “Commission for Coordinating the Popular Move.”

In conclusion, Reza called on the related International Human Rights Organizations, to “interfere in order to convince the government to allow the mass media to enter their direct-transmission vehicles, to cover the September 9^th demonstration, along with protecting them from similar violations to those carried out against demonstrators on February 25th.”

SKH (FT)

White Iraqiya Bloc vows to raise case against Parliament’s Chairmanship for preventing MP from its membership

subhy — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:37:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The ‘White al-Iraqiya’ Bloc has decided to raise a court case against the Iraqi Parliament’s Chairmanship, for its demand for al-Iraqiya Coalition’s candidate to read the oath, as substitute for the Legislature Jamal al-Battikkh, before waiting for a decision by the Federal Court, its Member, Qutaiba al-Jibouri said on Thursday.

“Something regretful had taken place in the Parliament on Wednesday, when its Chairmanship had called at 03:00 PM local time, one of the candidates of al-Iraqiya Coalition in Wassit Province, called Judge Ammar, demanding him to read the oath, as a substitute for Jamal al-Battikh, the Minister of State for Tribes Affairs,” Jibouri told a news conference, attended by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“This measure had been an individual act and was not included in the schedule of the Parliament’s session, thing that stood counter to the Constitution and the Parliament’s Internal System,” Jibouri said, adding that “the White al-Iraqiya Bloc had demanded the Parliament’s Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify, to restore Battikh to the Parliament, following his ministry’s coverage by the recent Cabinet trimming, and Nujeify demanded to wait for the decision of the Federal Court in this respect,” he said.

Jibouri stressed that “the response of the Federal Court had not arrived till now and the White al-Iraqiya Bloc shall raise a court case against the Parliament’s Chairmanship in the same Court to take a court decision in this issue.”

Noteworthy is that the White al-Iraqiya Bloc, led by Legislature Hassan al-Alawi, had split from al-Iraqiya Coalition, led by Iraq’s former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, and formed a new bloc in its new name, gathering about a dozen Legislatures for its membership.

SKH (RT)

Iraq’s Parliament discusses NCSP’s draft-law

subhy — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:06:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Member of Iraq’s Parliament for the National Coalition, Abdul-Hussein Abtan, has said on Thursday that the Parliament has began discussing the 1^st reading of the draft-law on the National Council for Strategic Policies (NCSP), expressing difficulty that the draft-law would be passed by the Parliament’s session.

“The Parliament began on Thursday morning discussing the 1^st reading of the NCSP’s draf-law, despite existence of objections by some Parliament members towards the draft-law,” Abtan told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“After I read the text of the NCSP’s draft-law, I found out that it contained huge and extensive authorities, exceeding the authorities of the President of the Republic, as the NCSP’s Chairman can meet the Three Presidencies of the country,” Abtan said, expecting that “the draft-law is very difficult to be passed by the Parliament.”

He said that “the opinion of the Parliament’s Legal Committee had been suggesting that the 1^st reading must have taken place, whilst the 2^nd reading would open the door for its discussion.”

The Leaders of Iraq’s Political Blocs had met on Aug. 2, 2011 at the residence of President Jalal Talabani, where several issues were discussed, among them the NCSP’s draft-law, which was suggested to be presented to the Parliament for its promulgation.

SKH (IT)

Iraq’s PM attends International Youth Day Festival, says Youth Country’s real fortune

subhy — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:04:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki has attended on Friday a festival, organized by the Youth & Sports Ministry on the occasion of the International Youth Day, taking place on Aug. 12^th, describing the Youth as the Real Fortune of the country.

“The Youth and their great size on the international map deserves a greater arena, because the image of the future, is reflected by their expected future role, that deserves all attention to help building the new state, Maliki said.

He confirmed his government’s readiness to support the Ministry of Youth & Sports, being the “Ministry in charge for helping to achieve the success of the change, carried out by the Youth.”

“The government does not want to celebrate this occasion in a formal way, but wishes to see a generation, helping to build the new state, and does not want such experience to fall down, similar to what happened in other states,” Maliki said.

SKH (IT)

Iraq’s National Coalition charges that NCSP’s draft-law includes 10 articles standing counter to Constitution

subhy — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:53:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A Member of Iraq’s National Coalition, led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, has said on Friday that the draft-law of the National Council for Strategic Policies (NCSP) “includes 10 items that stand counter to the Iraqi Constitution.”

“There are many objections against the NCSP’s draft-law that was presented to the Parliament on Thursday, because it stands counter to 10 Constitutional items,” Mohammed al-Sayhoud told Aswat al-Iraq news agency,” saying that “the NCSP shall represent a new authority, side-by-side to the Presidency and the Council of Ministers.”

He said that “the first reading of the NCSP does not mean that the Parliament would pass it, because it needs a second reading and a lot of discussion, before the voting takes place.”

The Parliament had held a session on Thursday in which it listened to the first reading of the NCSP’s draft-law, pending to listen to its second reading in the forthcoming sessions, amid several blocs that opposed its content, saying that they stand counter to the Constitution and must be adjusted.

The Leaders of Iraq’s Political blocs have agreed in a meeting on 2/8/2011 to send the NCSP’s draft-law to the Parliament for its approval, along with their agreement on nominating new candidates for the Defense and Interior Ministries.

SKH (IT)

Iraqi Journalist, prevented to attend Parliament’s session, to raise case against its security official

subhy — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 10:55:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Society for Defense of Journalists Rights has called on the Reporter, Khuloud al-Ziyadi, to raise a court case against the official in charge of security in the Parliament, due to her prevention to enter the Parliament’s building last Thursday, without giving any justifications, 2 days after the Parliament’s promulgation of its voting on the Law on Iraqi Journalists Rights.

“Our Society has expressed anxiety towards the first violation against a Journalist inside the Iraqi Parliament, that had passed the Law on the Right of Iraqi Journalists three days ago,” the Society’s Chairman, Ibrahim al-Sarraji told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Saturday.

Sarraji said that “the measure, taken against Journalist Ziyadi, working for the Baghdad International News Agency, is considered a clear and an open violation for the said Law, that had confirmed the punishment of anybody, who commits an aggression against a journalist.”

“Ziyadi has got the full right, depending on the Law on Journalists Rights, to raise a court case against the official in-charge of the Iraqi Parliament’s security, who had acted in an uncivilized manner, violating the International laws and norms, apart from being a violation to Article 38 of the Iraqi Constitution,” he said.

Ziyadi had stated for Aswat al-Iraq that the Parliament’s Security Official had prevented her to enter the Parliament’s building, without any justifying reason, after he withdrew her passage badge.

SKH (RT)

National Alliance's representation in NCSP less than 50%

susan — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:41:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Chairman of the Shiite al-Fadhila (Virtue) Bloc in the National Alliance, led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, has said that the Coalition’s representation in the National Council for Strategic Policies (NCSP) is less than 50 percent.

“The proposed representation for the political blocs in the draft-law of the NCSP does not abide by the constitutional balancing, as the National Alliance deserves more than 50 percent, whilst the total representatives of the Coalition in the proposed Council does not exceed 8 out of its 20 members,” Ammar Tu’ma said in a statement on Saturday.

The statement, as was received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency, stressed that “he, who demanded the Parliament to discuss the NCSP’s reading in its current session, had justified his demand by saying that the current phase was a transitional one and needed partnership and division of power.”

SKH (TS)/SR

”Electronic Protest March” on occasion of Iraqi Childs Parliament

subhy — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:43:00 GMT

MISSAN / Aswat al-Iraq: The so-called Iraqi Childs Parliament is planning to launch what it described as an “Electronic Protest March,” comprising sending sms messages for TV Satellite Networks, writing articles and viewpoints in the electronic sites, on occasion of the Iraqi Childs Parliament Day, taking place next week, according to its founder.

“The Iraqi Childs Parliament is striving to organize an ‘electronic protest march’, on the occasion of the Iraqi Childs Parliament Day, taking place next week,” Writer Mohammed Rashid told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Rashid said that the peaceful protest march would express Iraqi children’s call for the whole world, including the Arab League, the UNICIF, the Arab Children’s Council and thousands of other organizations, working for the children’s rights, to stand beside Iraq’s children and to practice the International Agreement for the Childs Rights, signed by Iraq in 1989.

“The Children’s protests shall be in the form of sms messages through the TV Satellite Channels, as well as messages, viewpoints and topics, to be published on the Internet sites, newspapers and magazines, in a respectful manner, reflecting the culture and vigilance of the Iraqi Childs Parliament, taking into consideration the fact that Iraq’s Parliament and the Council of Ministers have ignored several legitimate demands by the Iraqi children,” Rashid said.

He said that among those demands was “the legislation of a law for the Iraqi Childs Parliament, aimed at practicing the International Agreement for the Childs Rights, the approval of the Law on the Childs Protection, presented by the Iraqi Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs and the allocation of a suitable place for the Iraqi Childs Parliament.”

Noteworthy is that the Iraqi Childs Parliament was established in the city of Amara, the center of Missan Province, on 25/9/2004, by the Writer Mohammed Rashid, comprising a group of children, that are elected periodically, being a Civil Society organization in the Province, practicing activities all over Iraq, to demand the implementation of children’s rights.

Amara, the center of Missan Province, is 390 km to the south of the Iraqi Capital of Baghdad.

SKH (FT)

Parliament session adjourned due to clashes

susan — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:52:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Parliament has adjourned its session of today (Sunday) due to clashes inside the Parliament between members of the Sadrist Trend and the State of Law, about the General Amnesty Law and differences surrounding some of its articles, Aswat al-Iraq Correspondent in the Parliament reported.

“The Parliament’s session of today had been adjourned, due to adjourned, due to clashes that took place inside the Parliament by members of the Sadrist Trend and the State of Law Coalition, towards the General Amnesty Law and objections about some of its articles,” he stressed.

The Correspondent said that “the clash had forced the Parliament’s Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify, to adjourn the session for discussion and to convene it later.”

SKH (TS)/SR

Baghdad Governor demands representation of Iraq’s Provinces in the NCSP

susan — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:16:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Governor of Baghdad, Salah Abdul-Razzaq, has demanded the representation of the Iraqi Provinces in the National Council for Strategic Policies (NCSP), the same way of the representation of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region in the Council, according to the Governor’s office on Sunday.

“The NCSP is planned to lay the strategic polices of the State of Iraq and to draw its future plans,” Governor Salah Abdul-Razzaq said in the statement, copy of which was received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“Those policies also concern the Iraqi Provinces, because they would be practiced inside those Provinces, or that the impact of their results on the Iraqi citizens in all those Provinces,” the statement confirmed.

It stressed that “there must be a clear voice by the Provinces in the NCSP and that the representatives of the Provinces defend the interests and rights of their Provinces, similar to other constitutional or government institutions.”

“The simple presence of the leaders of the political blocs or the Three Presidential Chairmanships can’t compensate the presence of representatives of the Provinces, because they represent the Federal powers, that had always expressed the Central Government’s viewpoints,” the statement stressed.

“If the NCSP only represents the officials of the Federal Government, or the Three Executive, Legislative and Judicial authorities, as well as the political blocs, represented in the Parliament; why only the Kurdistan Region is represented in the Council, despite fact that it is a local authority, similar to the Provinces that are not organized in a Region?, and there must not be any difference between the Provinces and the Region, in their defense for the interests of their citizens,” the statement concluded.

SKH (TR)/SR

Difference between Sadrists and State of Law simple - MP

susan — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:09:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A Legislature from the State of Law Alliance has said on Sunday that the difference that broke out between his Alliance and the Sadrist Bloc’s representatives in the Parliament’s session during its discussion of the General Amnesty Law, had “been a simple difference in viewpoints,” confirming that the session had been lifted for half an hour only.”

“Everybody have agreed in-principle about the said Law, but it needs a delicate legal drafting, in such a way that it won’t cover those, whose hands were covered by the blood of Iraqis,” Mohammed al-Sayhoud told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, adding that the Parliament’s session had been lifted for half an hour, due to the misunderstanding that took place between the State of Law and some of the members of the Sadrist Bloc.

The Sadrist Trend had announced on March 27^thlast its presentation of a General Amnesty Law for all detainees and prisoners, with the exception of those, whose cases were related to the financial corruption or terrorism, whilst it had stressed that “the prisons dossier needs a revolution, which he had described as ‘courageous.’

Noteworthy is that Amnesty International Organization had reported in a report, issued on Sept. 12^th last year, that over 30,000 people are detained in Iraqi prisons, without the issuance of any court decisions against them, adding that they had been exposed for torture and maltreatment, along with the death of several detainees due to torture or maltreatment by investigators or prison guards.

SKH (TR)

Iraqi Legislature describes draft General Amnesty Law as “threat for Iraq’s National security.”

subhy — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:40:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Legislature of Iraq’s State of Law Coalition, led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Sami al-Askari, has described the draft General Amnesty Law, discussed by the Parliament on Sunday, as “threat to the country’s national security, encouragement for corruption, protection of terrorists, killers and thieves!”

“The current Law does not differ at all from the previous Law, according to which corruptors, criminals and leaders of terrorist groups, have been released,” Askari told reporters, warning that “the legislation of the new Law represents a threat for the national security, encouragement of corruption, protection of terrorists, killers and thieves.”

Askari said that the “new Law is the second of its kind, passed by the Iraqi Parliament, as the Parliament had passed an Amnesty Law in its previous session.”

The Parliament’s Legislative Committee had ended on Sunday the 1^st reading of the draft General Amnesty Law, aimed at granting opportunities for Iraqis, who had committed some crimes, to reform themselves and join social life, stemming from the spirit of pardoning and reform for those, who had missed the right course, to enjoy the amnesty, in order to enable all Iraqis to share in building their Homeland.

SKH (IT)

Iraq’s Sadrist MP warns from laying obstacles against journalists activity

subhy — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:07:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A Legislature from Iraq’s Ahrar (Liberals) Bloc has warned from the seriousness of laying obstacles in the way of the activity of journalists, confirming that undermining their activity represents a return back to the dictatorship and the power of a One Party, pointing out that the political process lacks the freedom of press.

“The political process lacks the freedom of press,” Awad al-Awadi was quoted to have said, according to a statement by the Political Commission of ‘Martyr Sadr’s Bureau.’

“Laying obstacles on the way of journalists is equal to laying obstacles in the way of the political process,” he said, adding that “Iraq is in great need that the political process becomes a successful process.”

SKH (ST)

Iraqi Christian Legislature says that Iraq’s explosions on Monday targeted all the country’s components.

subhy — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:58:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Leader of al-Rafidain Parliament Bloc, representing Iraqi Christians in the Parliament, Younadim Kanna, has described the explosions that took place in the country on Monday as having been targeting all components of the people, saying that “a certain political agenda stood behind those explosions, at a time when the American departure from Iraq had come closer.”

Kanna told Aswat al-Iraq news agency that “targeting a Christian Church on northern Iraq’s city of Kirkuk, as part of those targets, represented the targeting of Christians, being the weak part of the Iraqi people.”

“The weakness of the security bodies, especially the intelligence ones, and the postponement of the settlement of the dossier of the Security Cabinet Ministers, had been one of the main reasons for the security violation that took place on Monday,” Kanna said, calling for “necessity to strengthen the security body in Kirkuk, who is suffering from weakness as well.”

A series of explosions had rocked several Iraqi cities on Monday, being the first of their kind since more than 2 months, including Wassit, Karbala, Salahal-Din, Najaf and Kirkuk, killing over 60 people and wounding about 250 others, according to security sources.

A Kirkuk police source had reported on Monday that material losses were caused to a number of houses, surrounding a Christian, that was attacked in Kirkuk.

“An explosive charge blew off at 1:30 AM local time on Monday, behind the Christian Sirian Catholic Church in central Kirkuk, causing material damage for the Church and its surrounding houses,” the police source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

SKH (RT)

New Chairman elected for Basra Council

subhy — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:20:00 GMT

BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: A new Chairman for southern Iraq Basra Province’s Council, called Sabah al-Bazzouni, has been elected to succeed its former Chairman, Jabbar Amin, Aswat al-Iraq news agency Correspondent in Basra reported on Tuesday.

“Basra Province’s Council has held a meeting on Tuesday morning to name a new Chairman for the Council, after the resignation of Jabbar Amin from his post,” he said, adding that “Sabah al-Bazzouni had won the Council’s Chairmanship, after he got 26 votes out of the Council’s 27 votes.”

Bazzouni is one of the leaders of Al-Daawa Party – Iraq Organization and belongs to the list of the State of Law Coalition, led by Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, out of whom the Basra Council’s former Chairman, Jabbar Amin, had resigned, thing that made the List demand the post, that was won by Bazzouni.

SKH (ST)

Iraqi Parliament convenes with 240 MPs presence

subhy — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:37:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Parliament has held its normal session on Tuesday, under chairmanship of its Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify, and attendance of 240 out of its 325 members.

“The Parliament began its normal session, led by its Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify and attendance of 240 Members, to vote on the draft-law for the salaries of the Members of the Three Leading Chairmanships, and the hosting of the Chairman of the Haj (pilgrimage) Commission,” Aswat al-Iraq news agency’s correspondent reported on Tuesday.

He said that the “Parliament session’s schedule for Tuesday includes voting on the draft-law on the salaries and allocations of the Three Leading Presidencies, presented by the Parliament’s Financial & Legal Committees, along with the voting on the draft-law for the Education Ministry and the discussion of the government’s program with the Ministers of Labor & Social Affairs and the Municipalities & Public Works, as well as the hosting of the Chairman of the Haj (pilgrimage) Commission.”

The three leading Iraqi Chairmanships represent the Iraqi Presidency, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament.

SKH (IT)

Ninewa’s borders, “Red Line," Parliament Speaker says

subhy — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:08:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Parliament Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify, has called for necessity to protect the unity of north Iraq’s Ninewa Province, which he described as a “Red Line,” during his reception of a delegation, representing Ninewa’s Christians on Tuesday, a source close to his office reported.

“The territories of Ninewa Province are a “Red Line,” unity of which must be protected,” Nueifi told the delegation members, the source said.

On his part, the Delegation’s Member and the Political Advisor of Ninewa Governor for Minorities Affairs, Duraid Zoma, said that “the delegation had raised several issues of Ninewa Christians, including the opening of doors for Christians to join the Police and Army forces, and to find jobs for the unemployed people in the area.”

A statement by the “Chaldo-Sirian-Assirian” organizations in Ninewa Province had demanded few weeks ago the establishment of a “Province in Ninewa,” areas, comprising a Christian majority, the activation of Article 35 of the draft-law on Iraqi Kurdistan’s Constitution and the concreting of the Christian Community on the land of Rafidain (Two Rivers), to confront the challenges, especially the terrorist attacks and the immigration and the geographic transformation of the historic existence of Christians in the area.”

SKH (IT)

Iraq’s Parliament approves establishment of “Directorate-General for Christian Syriac Education.”

subhy — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:32:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Parliament has approved in its Tuesday session the establishment of a Directorate-General for Christian Syriac Education, to be included in the Education Ministry’s Law,” the Chairman of the Christian Rafidain Bloc in the Parliament, Younadim Kanna said.

“The Parliament has approved in its Tuesday session the establishment of a Directorate-General for Syriac Education, within the Iraqi Education Ministry’s Law,” Kanna told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, describing the approval as “an interpretation of the rights of the Chaldo-Syriac-Assyrian people, confirmed by the Iraqi Constitution.”

Kanna said the approval “shall support the Syriac Culture, considered as once of the most genuine cultures forming the Iraqi Culture, as well as teaching in the mother-tongue of that people, shall contribute in developing the Syriac schools and develop the students programs.”

The Legislature, Younadim Kanna, had demanded earlier the consideration of the Syriac Language as a third official language in the Iraqi Constitution, after the Arabic and the Kurdish languages, and the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year as an official holiday in Iraq.

SKH (IT)

Iraqi Kurdistan grants 1.4 million dinars for each of its political prisoners.

subhy — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:10:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The Council of Ministers of north Iraq’s Kurdistan Region has decided to grant about 1.4 million Iraqi dinars for each of its 262 political prisoners, according to the Media Director of Kurdistan’s Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Victims on Thursday.

“Kurdistan’s Council of Ministers has decided to grant each of the 262 political prisoners 1.4 million dinars, calling on them to report to the Ministry to complete the legal measures and receive their cheques,” Fuad Othman told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Kurdistan President, Massoud Barzani, has approved last Monday a draft-law on the Political Prisoners in Kurdistan Region, according to a media source in the Region.

“Barzani had approved the draft-law on the Political Prisoners in Kurdistan Region at the end of June last,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, pointing out that the draft-law was sent to the Parliament for approval, to become valid after its publication in the Official Gazette,” he said.

On his part, the Director of Kurdistan’s Department of Political Prisoners in Kurdistan’s Martyrs and Anfal Victims, Ahmed Rassoul, said that “the Law No. 11 of 2011 had been approved by Kurdistan’s Parliament and sent to the related offices in the government and the Parliament, pointing out that the number of political prisoners available in his Department is 2,300.”

SKH (IT)

Iraq’s Kurdish NGOs demand World Community to act to stop Turkish attacks.

subhy — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:37:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The Chairman of Iraqi Kurdistan’s Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) has demanded world governments and International Organizations to act for putting an end to the continuous Turkish aggressive attacks on Kurdistan territories.

“We demand the UN Security Council, the European Union and the United States of America to act for the stopping of the Turkish aggressions against Iraqi Kurdistan,” Adnan Anwar Beg told a news conference on Sunday, attended by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Anwar Beg also demanded the Iraqi Federal government to “implement its responsibilities towards the said violations, to keep away from ‘timid attitudes,’ and to strive to stop the Turkish bombardment and aggressive acts against the (Kurdistan) Region’s territories,” adding that the NGOs have demanded the Iraqi Parliament to “press on the Iraqi government to take a serious and firm position against Turkey.”

Noteworthy is that the Kurdistan Region’s government had expressed anger and protest against the Turkish air raids on Kurdistan Region, thing that forced large numbers of its inhabitants to desert their home villages that suffered from severe material damage.

The Kurdistan government pointed out that “the protection of the Region’s security can’t be achieved through individual acts and leaning to violence and crossing the borders, that stands counter to the International laws and principles of friendship, but through joint talks between the Federal government, the Kurdistan government and the Turkish government.”

Turkish warplanes have carried out several air raids on the areas of Saidakan, Qandil and the border villages of Warti and Qasri, along with other areas of Kurdistan, under the justification of chasing the anti-Ankara, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), taking refuge in those areas.

SKH (FT)

Human Rights in Iraq still fragile, UN report confirms

subhy — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:52:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A UN report about the Human Rights in Iraq in 2010 has warned that the armed violence acts and the “silent” violations of the human rights still harm large Iraqi communities, according to the report, issued by the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) and the UN Human Rights Commission on Monday.

The report, copy of which was received by Aswat al-Iraq News Agency, has covered a group of cases, related to Human Rights, including armed clashes and violence acts against civilians, along with detentions, the sovereignty of laws and the protection of rights of certain groups in Iraq.

The report also covered the conditions of the political rights in the country, including the right of meetings and free expression, pointing out that “despite slight improvement in some aspects, many challenges still exist.”

“The spread of poverty and economic deterioration, along with the absence of opportunities and environment failures, as well as lack of basic services, represent “silent” violations of human right, because they undermine the conditions of large parts of the people,” the report stressed.

Noteworthy is that Iraqi government and UN reports had pointed out that about 3,000 Iraqi civilians have lost their lives due to violent acts that continued during 2010 and carried out by armed and terrorist groups.

SKH (IT)

Demonstration denouncing Turkish bombing

susan — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:49:00 GMT

SULAIMANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: Tens of residents from Rania Qadha', in Sulaimaniya province, demonstrated against the bombing by Turkish jets of Kurdish border-zone areas.

A demonstrator told Aswat al-Iraq that that the demonstrations demand that the local government adopt a stern attitude against Turkey and pressure it to cease and desist these operations that led to some killings and material losses.

The Turkish jet fighters continued their attacks under the pretext of following up the PKK members, which led to the immigration of the people and heavy material losses.

Yesterday, the bombings resulted in the deaths of seven civilians in a village in the north of Sulaimaniya.

RM (TS)/SR

Iraq’s Integrity Commission demands PM to sack Chairman of Haj (Pilgrimage) Commission

subhy — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:06:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Deputy Chairman of Iraq’s Integrity Commission had demanded Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to sack the Chairman of the Haj (Pilgrimage) Commission, Mohammed Taqi al-Moula, under charges of corruption.

Ahmed al-Jibouri told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Monday that he had demanded the Prime Minister to sack the Chairman of the Haj Commission, charging him with corruption, adding that he had began collecting signatures to question the said official by the Parliament, according to the Iraqi Constitution.

“There are documents and dossiers, being studied since over one month by the Integrity Commission, that had agreed that the said official was involved in corruption,” Jibouri stressed, charging that he got his seat in the Parliament as part of a political deal, shared by several officials.

The Iraqi Parliament had voted on July 4^th last for the appointment of Mohamed Taqi al-Moula, for the post of Chairman of Iraq’s Haj (Pilgrimage).

Noteworthy is that several pilgrims from different Iraqi provinces had criticized the activity of the Haj Commission, charging that its services don’t cope with huge amounts it receives, describing its treatment of the pilgrims stems from “the logic of profit and loss, ignoring the real motive of pilgrimage.”

SKH (IT)

Kurdish NGOs denounce Turkish bombings

susan — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:13:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: A number of non-governmental organizations and federations in Kurdistan denounced today the Turkish bombings on the Kurdish border villages, at a time to prepare for demonstration due tomorrow.

Civil activist Bulent Mustapha, participating in the anti-bombing campaign, told Aswat al-Iraq that " a peaceful demonstration shall be organized tomorrow before the Turkish consulate in Arbil to denounce these actions".

The Kurdish bordering villages are suffering Turkish bombings for the last week, which led to killing eight Kurds.

Ankara said that the attacks were against PKK targets inside the Iraqi Kurdistan.

Kurdistan Students' Federation, affiliate to the Kurdistan Democratic Party, announced a campaign to collect signatures to be delivered to the UN Office in Arbil in protest for the bombings.

On the other side, the Kurdish NGOs Council , comprising 140 organizations and federations, called to boycott Turkish commodities and companies and demanding both Turkish and Iranian governments to compensate the damages.

RM (TI)/SR

50 NGOs demand Barzani stop Kurdistan’s bombardment

susan — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:29:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: About 50 Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have demanded the President of North Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, Massoud Barzani, to exert efforts to stop the Turkish and Iranian bombardment of the border villages in Iraqi Kurdistan, according to a Presidential statement issued in Arbil Province.

“The Kurdistan Region’s President, Massoud Barzani, had received a delegation representing the Civil Society Organizations, including 50 NGOs, that demanded he immediately request a cease and desist of the Iranian and Turkish bombardment of Kurdistan’s border areas,” the statement, as was received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency, reported.

It stressed that the delegation “had presented a coverage of the goals and activities of the campaign, acting in a civilized manner, to launch pressure on Iran and Turkey, to stop their military offensives on the border areas of Kurdistan, calling on its President to exert efforts to stop those offensives.”

On his part, Barzani had “condemned the Iranian and Turkish bombardment of the border areas of Kurdistan Region,” confirming that “his Presidency had continued to exert efforts, through political, diplomatic channels and through Regional and International Organizations, to stop the bombardment of the border areas.”

The Iranian bombardment of Iraqi Kurdistan’s border areas had continued since more than 2 months, whilst the Turkish bombardment entered its 2nd week, killing and injuring many civilians and causing damage for dozens of houses and agricultural fields.

SKH (TI)/SR

NGO demonstration in front of Foreign Ministry tom.

susan — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:59:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: An NGO demonstration shall be held tomorrow in front of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry to protest the violation of the country's sovereignty by neighboring countries.

The NGO Civil Initiative to Preserve the Constitution will organize the demonstration in response to the bombing of the Kurdish region by Turkish and Iranian forces under the pretext of pursuing anti-Turkish and anti-Iranian opposition members of the PKK and PJAK parties.

Activist Vian Sheikh Ali told Aswat al-Iraq that the participants shall include Iraqi intellectuals, media personalities and NGO activists.

"The aim is to press the Foreign Ministry to take its diplomatic actions to protect Iraqi interests according to international laws and accords against Turkish, Iranian, and Kuwaiti aggressions," she added.

The organization did not have the official permission for this demonstration, but activist Vian said that "the notice was given through the media."

The Civil Initiative to Preserve the Constitution is a collection of NGOs comprising 200 organizations of the civil society who are concerned with issues related to the Iraqi society.

RM (TI)/SR

1 million Iraqi women subsidize families

susan — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:48:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The head of the Red Cross organization in Iraq disclosed today that there are one million Iraqi women who subsidize their families, calling on the Iraqi government to assist them with the social security formations.

In a press conference, attended by Aswat al-Iraq, Magny Barh said that "Iraqi women are the most affected by the armed conflicts because they have to subsidize their families after their husbands were killed."

The Red Cross conducted a study on 119 women, in which results shown that 70 percent spend more than they earn and 40 percent of the families send their children to work.

"These women need governmental support through the social security programs, who cannot get due to complicated registration procedures," he added.

RM (TS)/SR

Special law for the handicapped - Mutlaq

susan — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:47:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Vice-Premier Saleh al-Mutlaq announced that there is an attempt to endorse a law for special handicapped persons that will protect their rights, stressing the importance of establishing a national authority to care for them.

In a statement issued by his office, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, Mutlaq expressed his readiness to extend all possible assistance after a meeting with a handicapped delegation.

He called that the special authority should take care for them, particularly those affected by terrorist attacks and military operations.

RM (TP)/SR

Center charges Barzani's bodyguards of atrocities

susan — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:01:00 GMT

SULAIMANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: Metro Center for Defending Journalists Rights announced today that some of President Masoud Barzani bodyguards attacked journalists during Barzani's visit to the Turkish and Iranian bombardment damaged areas.

In a statement, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, Metro center called for putting the bodyguards to justice according to Journalists' Law.

It added that Barzani visited the damaged areas, where some of his bodyguard confiscated the cameras of the journalists and erased all pictures.

"This contravenes with the Press Law signed by Barzani in 2008", the statement added.

The center called upon Barzani "to intervene and protect journalists rights".

During the last few weeks, the Kurdish border villages are under heavy Turkish and Iranian fires under the pretext of chasing the PKK and PJAK parties.

Hundreds of citizens demonstrated in protest for these bombings which led to tens of casualties and material losses in the region.

RM (TI)

Iraq’s President issues Law on Rights of Iraqi Journalists

subhy — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 09:14:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s President Jalal Talabani has issued three laws, including one on the Rights of Iraqi Journalists, according to his office on Saturday.

“President Talabani has issued 3 laws, including the Law on the Rights of Iraqi Journalists and the ratification of the Cooperation Agreement between Iraq and the International Organization for Immigration,” the statement reported.

“The Law on the Rights of Iraqi Journalists was legislated, stemming from respect of the Freedom of the Press and Expression, as well as guaranteeing the rights of Iraqi Journalists and their heirs, and their important role in concreting democracy in the New Iraq,” the statement reiterated.

As for the Law on the Ratification of the Cooperation Agreement between Iraq and the International Organization for Immigration, its law pointed out that it was legislated “stemming from Iraq’s willingness to grant the International Organization for Immigration a role to carry out its humanitarian missions, to implement its programs and render special services related to the issues of immigration and assistance to ease out the humanitarian sufferings of the Iraqi people, without any discrimination.”

SKH (IT)

Iraqi Journalists Syndicate’s Chairman wins majority of votes in its elections

subhy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 08:42:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Chairman of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, Mo’ayad al-Lamy has won the majority of votes in the Syndicates elections, after counting 40% of the votes till late Saturday night, according to Aswat al-Iraq news agency correspondent, who attended the elections.

“The counting of the results continued till late Saturday night, showing that Lamy would keep his post, after the counting that reached 40% of the votes, whilst his Assistants, Imad Abdul-Amir and Khalid Jassim, have beaten their competitors in the elections,” he quoted the committee in charge of the voting as saying.

He added that the counting of the elections results was expected to continue till Sunday morning, where 100 competitors were electing new candidates for the Syndicate that began early on Saturday.

SKH (ST)

Barzani orders sending defendants of attacks against demonstrators for justice

subhy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 09:42:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The President of North Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, Massoud Barzani, has ordered sending to justice of all persons, behind attacking demonstrators on February 27^th last, a statement by Barzani’s office reported on Saturday.

Mass demonstrators took place in northern Iraq’s Sulaimaniya, Kalar, Halabja, Rania, Koy-Sanjaq and other Kurdish areas, during which 8 persons were killed and more than 100 others were injured on Feb. 17^th last, with Barzani, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Kurdistan Premier Barham Saleh, had expressed support for the demands of the demonstrators.

“Barzani’s decision covered sending all defendants for the said incidents for justice, along with ceasing the chasing of anybody without legal decisions, as well as the allocation of financial support for the Kurdish opposition parties and the formation of a committee to settle the problems of the opposition parties and to stop chasing the activists of the Civil Society and the opposition supporters, who faced political punishments.

SKH (IT)

Mo’ayad Lamy wins 84.5% of votes as Iraqi Journalists Syndicates Chairman

subhy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:07:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Chairman of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, Mo’ayad al-Lamy has won the seat of its chairman in the elections that took place on Saturday, scoring 84.5% of the total votes.

“The results of the elections of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate that took place on Saturday had shown its Chairman, Mo’ayad al-Lamy, to have regained his seat, winning 1,107 out of 1,309 votes,” according to Aswat al-Iraq news agency, who attended the elections.

He said that “Imad Abul-Amir had also won the post of the First Deputy Chairman of the Syndicate, scoring 547 votes, with the 2^nd Deputy Chairman, Jabbar Tarrad, who won 378 votes.”

“The Syndicate’s Council Members were also won by Saadi al-Sab’ie with 431 votes, Nadim al-Rubei with 386 votes, Saad Muhsin – 369 votes, Hassan al-Iboudy – 368 votes, Rashid al-Hamdani – 397 votes and Fuad Ghazi – 249 votes,” he added.

The Iraqi Journalists Syndicate was established in 1959, when the late famous Poet, Mohammed Mahdi al-Jawahiry, the owner of al-Rai al-Aam Newspaper and 45 leading Iraqi journalists had met and elected a founding committee for the Syndicate, followed by several elections that continued till 2003, when its late Chairman, Shihab al-Tamimi was martyred in 2008, followed by the election of Mo’ayad al-Lamy for the Chairman’s post in 2008 and till this date.

SKH (IT)

Shiite Cleric, Sadr, expresses readiness to protect Mosques

subhy — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:51:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Leading Iraqi Shiite Cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, has expressed readiness to “protect mosques, in the event of the government’s failure to do that,” in the aftermath of the explosion that ripped off Baghdad’s Sunni Um al-Qura Mosque last Sunday and caused dozens of victims.

“Sayid Muqtada al-Sadr had expressed readiness to project all Mosques, if the government expressed failure to do that,” his al-Sadr Trend had confirmed in a statement on Thursday.

Noteworthy is that a suicide explosion had rippled off through Um al-Qura Mosque last Thursday, killing and wounding dozens of people, including the Legislature, Khalid al-Fahdawi, who was killed in the attack.

SKH (ST)

Hanaa Edward congratulated on International Peace Award

susan — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:25:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Two leading Iraqi Civil Society Activists have congratulated the Iraqi Human Rights Activist, Hanaa Edward, on the occasion of granting her the Sean McBride Peace Award, calling on Iraqi officials to take similar steps.

“Hanaa Edward deserves the greatest awards, but we had been wishful that a similar award would be granted by the Iraqi Civil Society Organizations and not from abroad, because Edward was the leading woman voice calling for the Iraqi Human Rights,” the Activist Najim Abed Deidan told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“She deserves the award, because she had worked in the Iraqi Civil Society since the early 1990s and till now,” Deidan said, adding that the award “should encourage all activists to follow her steps, because her voice to boost the activity of the Civil Society in Iraq couldn’t be ignored.”

On her part, the Iraqi Acivist Vian al-Sheikh Ali, said: “I am proud of the award the Activist Hanaa Edward got, being an award for all Iraqi women activists and the Iraqi Civil Society, though she deserves more than an award in this respect.”

“Hanaa Edward possesses a long history in this respect, as she had been awarded several international certificates and appreciation letters, highlighting her activity in Iraq; so, we weren’t surprised for granting her the said International Award,” she said.

“We hope that Iraqi officials would follow the same course of the International Organizations, though it had been better if the Iraqi officials themselves would appreciate the activity of Iraqi Women and awarding them ,” Vian Sheikh Ali said.

Noteworthy is that the World Peace Bureau had decided in its meeting, held in Paris on August 28th, to grant the Iraqi Human Rights Activist, Hanaa Edward the International “Sean McBride” Award for the year 2011.

Hanaa Edward, born in southern Iraq’s Basra city in 1946, had jointed the Iraqi Women Organization in her youth and was detained in 1963.

After that she managed to escape from prison to move to Germany, where she represented the Iraqi Women Organization in the International Women Federation in the 1970s, and then she flew to Lebanon and then to Syria, where she played a leading role in the struggler against the dictatorship in Iraq.

She then joined al-Ansar (Supporters) in Iraqi Kurdistan, after her formation of the Iraqi Al-Amal (Hope) Society in Damascus and moved to Iraq, where she stayed in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, till 1996.

After the downfall of the former Iraqi regime in 2003, she moved her main bureau to Baghdad, where she played a leading role in the establishment of the Iraqi Women Network, comprising 80 women organizations.

SKH (TF)/SR

Call for student demonstration on 9 Sept.

susan — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:08:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The General Students' Federation in Iraq called on all student representatives to protest in a mass demonstration on September 9 to demand their rights from the ministries of education and higher education.

In a statement, as received by Aswat al-Iraq, the Federation criticized the educational strategy as being "unclear," with intentional endeavors to limit the role of the students in decision making via preventing the work of students' organizations from work.

The statement demand equality irrespective of wealth, sex, nationality, religion, or political affiliation.

It called for better housing facilities, improving financial aid and grants available to students, and minimizing the cost of special and general services rendered to students.

The statement concluded the right of the students to establish their organizations, as well as the freedom of publications, demonstration, elections and protests.

RM (TI)/SR

Kirkuk official denies receipt of compensations by deported people in Province

subhy — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:05:00 GMT

KIRKUK / Aswat al-Iraq: The Chairman of the Fact-Finding Commission in northern Iraq’s Kirkuk Province and northeastern Iraq’s Khanaquin Office of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution has denied on Monday the receipt of any cheques to compensate deported people and those who returned to the City.

“Agreement has been reached with the Chairman of the Higher Committee for Article 140 to organize cheques for all offices in different provinces to receive the first payment for the current phase, including 1,200 cheques, along with Khanaquin’s cheques,” Mohammed Khalil al-Jibouri told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, adding that “no cheque had been written or received till now, in the event of which their arrival would witness their distribution in Kirkuk and Khanaquin.”

Jibouri, at his rank as the Chairman of the Technical Committee in Kirkuk, Member of the Higher committee for Article 140 and the Chairman of Khanaquin’s Bureau, has denied receipt of any cheque to compensate Khanaquin’s Bureau, as announced by media sources.

He said that the cheques would be distributed in Khanaquin, upon their arrival and the same would be published in the Iraqi mass media.

In conclusion, Jibouri said that the distribution of cheques had arrived its 27^th stage, as regards to the deportees and the 14^th stage regarding to the deported people, who returned to their home towns.

Kirkuk, 280 km to the northeast of Baghdad, is considered among the areas under-conflict between the Central Government in Baghdad and the government of Kurdistan Region in Arbil.

SKH (RT)

Press Society demands PM Maliki to release Iraqi Journalist

susan — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:04:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Society for the Defense of Journalists Rights has demanded the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces to uncover the fate of the Iraqi Journalist, Mohammed Ismail Mustapha, who was detained by a joint Iraqi-U.S. force in western Baghdad last week, for unknown reasons.

“The wife of the detained Journalist Mohammed Ismail Mustapha, a freelance reporter, notified our Society of his detention by a joint Iraqi-American Force last week from his house in west Baghdad’s Ghazaliya district. His press card and other credentials were confiscated, and the current location of his detention remains unknown,” Ibrahim al-Sarraji told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“Our Society demands the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Baghdad Operations Command to uncover the fate of the said detained Journalist and the reasons for his detention, stemming from the transparency, the freedom of opinion and the implementation of the Law on the Iraqi Journalists Rights that was recently ratified, taking into consideration that Mohammed Ismail Mustapha is a working member of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate," he said.

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, holds the position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces.

SKH (TI)/SR

Correspondents Without Borders condemns detention of Kurdish reporter

subhy — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:18:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The “Correspondents Without Borders” Organization has condemned the detention of the Editor-in-Chief of northern Iraq’s Kurdish “Levin” Magazine, Ahmed Mira, last Wedneday, according to the organization’s statement on Saturday.

“Our Organization condemns the savage attack and illegal detention by the Kurdish Special Forces of the Editor-in-Chief of ‘Levin’ Magazine, Ahmed Mira, in an illegal manner on Sept. 7^th in Sulaimaniya city,” the statement, copy of which dropped in Aswat al-Iraq news agency reported.

Mira told reporters after his release in Sulaimaniya city: “A security force had detained me and one of my brothers in a humiliating and an uncivilized manner, beating us before driving us to a police center.”

“I have raised a legal case against the said force, protesting on the way of our detention, that took place after a judicial case, raised by the Political Bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), under charges of defamation,” Mira said.

The KDP, on it part, has denied its “involvement in the said incident,” whilst the Kurdish Asayish (Security) had also denied that its Special Forces, assigned to fight terrorism, had any relationship with the said case.

Levin is an independent political and cultural magazine, issued in northern Iraq’s Sulaimaniya city, known to have been publishing articles against the Authority and Parties in Iraqi Kurdistan.

‘Correspondents Without Borders’ had expressed its “deep anxiety for the renewal of violence acts in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, saying that August 29^th had witnessed an attack against the Founder of the independent Awena (Mirror) Newspaper, Asous Hardy, for a “savage aggression” while leaving his office in Sulaimaniya that evening.

Another reporter, the Editor-in-Chief of a private “Halawaty” Newspaper, Asus Hardy and the Editor-in-Chief of Awena Newspaper, had been sentenced for 6 months suspended-imprisonment in 2005 in the background of publishing a passive report about Kurdistan’s Prime Minister at that time.

Hardy was granted the “Jibran Tweny” Award for Freedom of Press in the year 2009.

SKH (FT)

Demonstrations Activist released in Kut

subhy — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:43:00 GMT

WASSIT / Aswat al-Iraq: A civilian activist, charged with instigating citizens to demonstrate had been released in southern Iraq’s city of Kut, a Wassit police source reported on Saturday.

“The Police had released the Young Lawyer and Activist, Sajjad Salem, for a 5-million-dinar bale,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, adding that Salem was detained in front of his house in Kut on Sept. 8^th.

On his part, Sajjad Salem told Aswat al-Iraq that he was detained by a National Security Force in front of his house in Kut last Thursday, without a legal memo, after his application to the Security Bodies, demanding approval to demonstrate on Friday, 9/9/2011.

“The investigators have charged me with a series of accusations, such as my links to foreign states, leadership of youth and relations group, charged for instigation against the State, sharing in Baghdad’s al-Tahrir Square demonstration and challenging the security authorities by insisting to share in Friday, 9/9/2011 demonstrations,” he said.

Salem said that he was “sent by the Intelligence and National Security Forces to the Directorate General of Anti-Terrorism in Wassit Province, that decided to release him in an Investigation Judge’s order, by a 5-million dinar bale.”

Sajjad Salem is a lawyer and activist of the Civil Society Organizations, in charge of organizing a demonstration that took place on Friday and carrying the Identity of a Participant in the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate.

Kut, the center of Wassit Province, is 180 km to the southeast of Baghdad.

SKH (RT)

Dozens of Kut engineers on sit-in strike, demanding release of their Colleague

subhy — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:29:00 GMT

WASSIT / Aswat al-Iraq: Dozens of engineers of the Ministry of Housing in southern Iraq’s Wassit Province have began a sit-in demonstration on Wednesday, demanding legal projection for them and to release one of their colleagues, arrested by the Iraqi Integrity Commission, the Engineers Syndicate’s Chief reported.

“Dozens of engineers, working in the projects f the Housing Ministry in Wassit Province have started a sit-in demonstration in front of the Province’s Council,” Engineer Jassim Mohammed Redha told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

He said the engineers have demanded the release of their colleague, holding the post of Resident Engineer for a housing compound, 40 km to the south of Kut, Engineer Muhsin Mihbas, who was detained by the Integrity Commission in Baghdad, without giving the reasons for his detention.

“The sit-in demonstrators have also demanded a legal protection for them, through a parliamentary legislation that secures their protection and granting them rights for decent housing, similar to doctors and journalists,” he added.

Redha also demanded the Central Government in Baghdad, the Iraqi Parliament and the Supreme Judicial Council, to restore the case of the detention of their Colleague Muhsin Mihbas, after his release, adding that the Council’s Chairman had received the demands of the sit-in demonstrators, promising to implement them according to the law.

Noteworthy is that the Iraqi Engineers Syndicate had held a conference on 13/9/2011, in prelude for organizing their sit-in demonstration, in the background of the detention of their said Colleague by the Integrity Commission.

Kut, the center of Wassit Province, is 180 km to the southeast of Baghdad.

SKH (FT)

Workshop on Transparency by UNDP

susan — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:39:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) held a training workshop on the "transparency" in work and forming clear-cut policies in exchange of information and facilitate the procedures of Election Authority and its partners in the election process.

A statement issued by the UNDP, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, said that the workshop was held on 12-15 September 2011 comprising Election Authority cadres who work in the media sector.

The aim of the workshop is to introduce world models in the work of the Authority in order to reach the greater level of transparency, the statement added.

RM (TS)/SR

Call for formation of Union for Human Rights Defense Activists in Iraq

susan — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:28:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Human Rights Ministry’s Undersecretary has called on Tuesday for the formation of a Union for Human Rights Defense Activists in Iraq, in order to follow up human rights violations in the country.

“Defenders of human rights are facing intensive violations by extremists,” Abdul-Karim Shallal told a Conference for Evaluating Conditions of Human Rights in Iraq, held in Arbil on Tuesday, calling on “the formation of a Union for Human Rights Defense Activists in Iraq, being a step in the right direction.”

Shallal said that “the activists that would form the Union shall enjoy special training in the system of protection and observation, along with personal safety, in order to face risks.”

The Director of the UN Human Rights Office in Iraq had said in a speech at the conference that the state of Human Rights Activists in Iraq is “fragile and miserable,” as the defenders are facing a lot of challenges and difficulties.

About 80 civil activists from difference parts of Iraq and representatives of the UN Human Rights Organization in Iraq and Czekia are attending the 3-day conference, discussing the state of human rights in Iraq.

SKH (TI)/SR

Students' demonstration dispersed today

susan — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:51:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Security forces today dispersed a secondary school students' demonstration calling for a third annual exam.

It was decided that the Iraqi Parliament will discuss the third annual exam and send its recommendations to the Cabinet for approval.

The demonstrators said that the questions on the second annual exam were difficult.

84 MPs demanded this issue be discussed today.

RM (TS)/SR

IWPR endeavors partnership among media, law and human rights

susan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:34:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) held here today a one-day conference to achieve partnership between media, law and human rights.

The conference tackled better ways for cooperation among media institutions and those connected with human rights, director of the Institute in Iraq said to Aswat al-Iraq.

Ammar Shabander stressed the importance of informing the public the right and exact news in order to increase awareness in human rights fields.

RM (TP)

Concern on loss of 717 billion dinars - Tamouz organization

susan — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:33:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Tamouz Organization for Social Development stressed today the importance of implementing a national plan to combat poverty, expressing concern for the loss of Iraqi funds allocated by the Higher Strategic Commission to Minimize Poverty within 2012 budget, which reached to 717 billion dinars.

In a statement, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, directed to the three Iraqi Presidencies, the organization referred to the 19th Anniversary to Poverty Eradication Day, and the necessity to make a social insurance law, the continuation of ration programme, health insurance, decent lodging to the poor, combating unemployment and corruption eradication.

It added that the percentage of poverty in Iraq exceeded 23% according to official statistics.

RM (TP)/SR

Press Freedoms Observatory denounce attack on journalist's residence

susan — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:23:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Press Freedoms Observatory expressed astonishment with the attack on the residence of journalist Khalil al-Alwani without a court warrant, calling to resort to law and the constitution.

According to a statement issued by the Observatory, received by Aswat al-Iraq, Alwani said that a military force attacked his house and terrorized his family, while he was in the newspaper he is working with.

He added that Operations Command denied that any actions were on a personal basis.

Alwani attributed the move for having published news about Anbar province.

No other details were given.

On the other hand, a number of journalists gathered before Alwani's residence, mid of Fallouja, to denounce such move.

RM (TI)/SR

Over 22,000 Iraq’s Faili Kurds deported by former regime, Maliki says

subhy — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:26:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has said on Saturday that over 22,000 Faili Kurds had been deported from Iraq by the former regime, calling for the restoration of their rights.

“The Faili Kurds have been targets for harming, similar to other Iraqi communities,” Maliki said in a speech on the occasion of the 2^nd anniversary of the formation of the National Conference for Faili Kurds, attended by Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Saturday.

Maliki has called on this occasion “for the unity of Faili Kurds under a common tent, uniting them and organizing their activities, together with other Iraqi communities.”

“We shall support the rights of the depressed Faili Kurds, beginning with the restoration of their official documents and their presence in their homeland and ending with the paying back the funds that were confiscated from them (during the former regime),” Maliki said.

SKH (IT)

Arbil Conference of Human Rights Defenders concludes with call to cover all Iraqi forces

subhy — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:17:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The International Conference for Human Rights Defenders has concluded its works in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan city of Arbil on Thursday, with a call for expanding human rights activity to cover all Iraqi forces.

“The Conference has taken several recommendations, including the formation of a Federation for Human Rights Defenders, to cover all Iraqi forces,” the conference recommendations stressed.

They called for “expanding the Federation to cover academicians and media men in Iraq, along with the establishment of a partnership with the government, to activate the human rights status in Iraq and to achieve protection for all defenders of human rights.”

In a speech at the final session of the conference, Member of the Iraqi Parliament, Sadeq al-Labban, said that “everybody doubts that the Iraqi government does not support human rights, but they must understand that it worked for that and issued several decisions related to human rights.”

On his part, Iraq’s Human Rights Ministry’s Undersecretary, Abdul-Karim Shallal, said in a speech: “We must unify our address to serve human rights and look at the issue from an Iraqi sight and from our status quo, unify our activity and won’t make our selves busy with criticism only.”

The UNESCO’s local organization’s official, Dhia Subhy, said: “the UNESCO shall continue to render support for human rights projects and our future programs shall address the group, acting in defense of human rights.”

The 3-day Conference was attended by 80 civil activists from different parts of Iraq, with financial support by the European Union and supported by the UNESCO, UNAMI, the International Human Rights Office, the Zcech Human Rights Ministry and the Harikar Organization.

SKH (RT)

New Prisons to be built in Iraq - minister of justice

susan — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:12:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi minister of Justice Hassan al-Shammari announced today building new prisons in the province to meet human rights standards.

In a statement by the ministry, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, the minister received the Human Rights responsible at UNAMI Francesco Mota .

Minister Shammari disclosed that preparations were completed to build big prison in Babil province, instead of the present old one.

The capacity of this prison shall be 20.000 occupants, the minister added.

Mr. Mota praised the ministry's achievement in the human rights sector, which shall be included in his annual report.

RM (TP)/SR

Iraqi politicians are responsible for the explosions, CSF statement

zaidmjm — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:25:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Civil Society Forum (CSF) shouldered Iraqi politicians and the three presidencies the responsibility of the bloody explosion which hit Baghdad yesterday.

CSF regarded these explosions as a reflection of the failure of Iraqi opticians , following US forces withdrawal.

In a statement, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, the CSF said that "the explosions are an expression of the failure of administering the state and occupying themselves with their personal interests".

"When the US withdrew its forces, the situation exploded, but we call the military and security forces to have utmost vigilance to prevent recurring such crimes", the statement added.

It expressed an initiative to support the military and police forces at this stage to preserve security in order to pass this crisis.

NGO organizations hand letter of protest to Turkish consul

susan — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:49:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The Head of the Kurdish NGO organization said that "a letter of protest was handed to the Turkish consulate in Arbil denouncing the killing of Kurdish citizens due to the Turkish aerial shelling against the bordering areas".

Adnan Anwer Bey added that representatives of 20 NGO organizations gathered before the Turkish consulate who demanded to "put to trial those who committed the crime".

The Turkish consulate promised to deliver the message to the competent authorities.

RM (TP)/SR

POLITICS: Iraqi Kurds have land problem with Sunnis, Oil Fortune with Shiites, Opposition Leader says

subhy — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:59:00 GMT

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أصوات العراق / سياسة , اربيل

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The Leader of north Iraq's Kurdistan's Goran (Change) Movement,

Nowshirwan Mustapha, has said on Thursday that Iraqi Kurds have a problem of land with

Arab Sunis in Iraq, whilst they have another problem with the Central Baghdad Government,

led by the Shiite Coalition, which is the problem of the oil fortune and power.

"Arabs in Iraq are split between Sunnis and Shiites, whilst the Kurds are not counted on both

sects, because their identity is a nationalist identity, and their problems are considered to be

nationalist and not sectarian problems," Mustapha told the Kurdish KNN TV Satellite Channel

on Thursday.

Mustapha said that "the Kurds have their problems with both sides, as there are the problems

of the lands with the Sunnis in the areas-in-conflict, majority of which were not restored for

Kurdistan Region, and they are based in the provinces, inhabited by the Sunni Sect, such as

Ninewa, Salahal-Din, Diyala and Kirkuk."

The Leader of the Change Movement said "the Kurds are part of the solution, though they

are part of the problem as well," pointing out that "the Kurds can play the role of mediation

among the conflicting parties, though they are part of the problem as well, and it is supposed

that the problems of the Kurds be treated as being part of the Public Interest, we want to

achieve in Iraq."

"The Kurds have not achieved any benefit from their role as a mediator between others; but

on the contrary, some Arab parties in the political process have said that they Kurds have

exploited the current differences between the Sunnis and the Shiites, to serve their own

interests," he said adding that "the mediation have had a passive impact on the Kurds, by

some Arab circles in Iraq, instead of having a good impact on the Kurds," he said.

The Kurdish opposition has scored 25 seats in the 11-Member Kurdistan Parliament, with

the Change Movement leading the opposition, together with the Islamic Union and the Islamic

Group in that Parliament, whilst the 2 leading parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and

the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) posses 59 seats in the Parliament, along with other seats,

distributed among the small parties, the Christians, the Turkomen and the Armenians.

SKH (ST)

Regional Human Rights Planning Conference due next Tuesday in Arbil

susan — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:19:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The regional planning conference for human rights shall be held next Tuesday in Iraqi Kurdistan, Dr. Dindar Zebari announced here today.

Zebari, Assistant Responsible for Foreign Relations at the Kurdish region government, added that the meeting shall be attended by UN officials, international organizations working in the Kurdish region and diplomatic missions.

In a press conference today, he that the conference shall be held out of Kurdistan government of human rights, sovereignty of law, freedoms and women and children rights.

The regional planning conference will put a strategy for Iraq and the region in human rights till 2014.

RM (TS)/SR

Regional Human Rights Planning Conference opened in Arbil

susan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:23:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: The regional planning conference for human rights was opened today in Iraqi Kurdistan during a ceremony attended by UN representative to Iraq Martin Kobler, head of Kurdish Presidency Divan representing the Kurdish President Masoud Barzani, and a number of ministers and foreign consulates there, according to a statement issued here today.

In the opening speech, the head of foreign relations department at the Kurdish region government Falah Mustapha, said "the convening of this conference is a qualitative move in the field of human rights in the region and a step to build a democratic society".

The conference was prepared by Kurdistan government of human rights, sovereignty of law, freedoms and women and children rights, he pointed out.

The regional planning conference will put a strategy for Iraq and the region in human rights till 2014.

RM (TS)/SR

Call to compensate victims of ex-Iraqi regime - Minister

susan — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:46:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Human Rights Minister disclosed that the government will repay the victims of the previous regime, calling on the world community to recognize such move, according to a media statement released by the ministry today.

Minister Mohammed al-Sudani said at the ministry's conference on the internationalization of the violations of the previous regime, held in London, that "the aim of the conference is to call world community to recognize the crimes practiced against the Iraqi people, which were manifested by its downfall in an ugly way".

He added that the Iraqi government compensated them "in a small manner that will not compensate them for their sufferings".

The conference was held in mid London, 12-14 January 2012, with official and civilian participation by Iraqi and British establishments, as well as important personalities.

RM (TS)/SR

Maliki should restore plundered house of famous Iraqi Artist

susan — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:50:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: An Iraqi civil organization called on Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, to interfere to restore the house of the famous Iraqi Artist, Badri Hassoun Farid, that was confiscated by a group of armed men, and to order care for his deteriorated health condition and treatment, according to a statement on Wednesday.

"A report by al-Arabiya TV Satellite Channel had reported last week the deteriorated conditions of the great Artist, Badri Hassoun Farid, who had lost his house, after its confiscation by an unknown armed group, along with his bad health situation, getting close to lose his sight," the Da'imoun Gathering said in a statement, as was received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

"The Great Artist, Badri Hassoun Farid, had contributed in the Iraqi artistic march and had been one of the leaders of the Iraqi TV drama, whose works still remain in the memory of all Iraqis," the statement said

"It is so sad to see that great artist living in a small room he hired after the plundering of his house by an unknown armed group, along with the deterioration of his health and fear from losing his sight," the statement said, calling on the Iraqi Prime Minister to take 'urgent measures to save him from sickness and need, along with honoring him in a way that copes with his artistic reputation,' it concluded.

SKH (TS)/SR

Strategy to develop Iraqi women status received - statement

susan — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:45:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Ministry of State for Women Affairs received today the first draft of the Strategy to uplift the Standards of Iraqi Women from the UN Women Agency.

The draft strategy comes within the MOU signed between the two sides in mid of 2011, as stated by the ministry.

The statement, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, added that the "strategy aims at enabling the Iraqi women to participate in the long-term development and activate their role in comprehensive development process".

The strategy aims at finding a legislative and economic milieus to support women, establishments to provide rights for both sexes, halting violence against women, provision of health and educational environments and participation in establishing peace.

The statement added that the ministry will review and study the strategy, before submitting it to the government before the first season of this year.

A number of Iraqi and foreign experts took part in this study.

RM (TS)

Possibilities to form higher council for population discussed

susan — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:25:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Discussions were made to form a higher council for population in Iraq to deal with the demographic questions and population policies in the country.

In a statement issued by the ministry of planning, the suggestion will be submitted to the cabinet due to its importance and to be a base for planning withdrawing in population policies.

An expanded conference shall be held during the coming two months on the real status of population in Iraq, as well as discussing the general census which is of great importance for Iraqi development.

RM (TP)/SR

Better development in Iraqi prisons - Human Rights Ministry

susan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:53:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Human Rights Ministry Under-Secretary announced today that there are developments in Iraqi prisons and detention centers, expressing hopes for a better situation to reach the real human rights standards.

In a statement issued by the ministry, as was received by Aswat al-Iraq, Undersecretary Hussein al-Zihairi reviewed in a meeting on the reports of the prisons in Baghdad and other provinces.

He pointed out the developments occurred in this field and hoped for further better situations inside the prisons and detention centers.

The meeting was attended by representatives from justice, interior, defence, works, health and human rights ministries.

RM (TP)/SR

Parade for Iraq orphans in Baghdad

susan — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:57:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A group of NGO organizations decided to organize a parade for Iraqi orphans today with the participation of 1000 orphans with their families representing seven provinces in Baghdad.

In a statement by In Support of Iraqi Orphans Gathering, which includes 28 NGO organizations in Iraq, the parade shall be in busses to tour Baghdad and to be gathered in a club to organize a grand festival for the orphans.

The parade shall be silent, but carrying placards and slogans demanding the rights of the orphans in Iraq.

This is the first of its type, where UN and international assistance organizations were invited.

According to approximate NGO figures and official figures, there are about 4 million orphans in Iraq.

This gathering was formed at the beginning of 2011 to expose the question of the orphans in the country to the government and the world.

RM (TI)/SR

59% reject establishing new regions in Iraq

susan — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:14:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Two NGO organizations disclosed that a referendum was carried out in 9 Iraqi provinces which showed that 59 percent of the participants rejected the idea of establishing new regions in Iraq due to the unsuitable situation prevailing in the country.

Center of the Information for Research and Development and Tamouz Organization for Social Development exposed the referendum with the attendance of a number of university professors, academicians, media organs and NGO organizations.

The referendum included provinces like Baghdad, Arbil, Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, Diala, Anbar, Thi Qar, Missan and Basra.

There were a total of 1,808 participants in the referendum; 27,7 percent females and 72,3 percent males.

It pointed out that 28,5 percent of the sample believed that the reasons were sectarian, 24,4 percent believe it to be rejection of central government control; 30,4 percent for political ends and 16,5 percent for not giving provincial councils suitable authorities.

54 percent believed that the formation of the regions will not solve economic and security problems in the province, while 58,3 percent said that the formation of the regions will weaken the federal government.

56,7 percent expected that the political situation is not ripe for establishing the regions, while 61,3 percent expected that such a move is the start to divide Iraq.

40,4 percent said that the federal system has its negative and positive aspects, which could be implemented in Iraq in suitable time and circumstances.

RM (TI)/SR

Iraqi NGOs meet US counterparts to develop joint relations

susan — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:34:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: A delegation of Iraqi NGO organizations visited the USA to meet their counterparts, US administration establishments, the Congress and decision makers, to elaborate on the status of the Iraqi NGO system, as well as building strong ties among them.

A statement by the NGOs network in Kurdistan, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, said that the visit was upon invitation by US MCC and Human Security organizations.

Meetings were held with US NGOs wishing to work in Iraq in future, as well as having present status in Iraq.

RM (TP)/SR

UNHCR representative speaks on displaced families Sunday

susan — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:42:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Iraq Claire Bourgeois is holding a press conference on Sunday to give a briefing on the conditions of displaced family in the war-torn country.

According to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), although nearly 1.5 million internally-displaced persons (IDPs) returned to their original areas since 2003, still there are large numbers of them either unable or unwilling to return home.

Iraqi government statistics said that there are still 1.3 million IDPs who have been forced to leave their home areas after the year 2006, representing more than 22,000 families.

Iraq has witnessed several waves of internal displacement as a result of conflicts, sectarian violence and forced deportation of inhabitants linked to the former regime’s policies, the UNAMI report noted.

Sectarian strife that erupted in the aftermath of the February 2006 Samarra bombings caused large-scale displacement nationwide. Baghdad and central Iraq provinces have been the most harmed areas in the countries as more than 1.6 million Iraqis were rendered homeless during the period between February 2006 and September 2008.

AmR (TS)/SR

KRG receives remains of 542 Kurdish mass grave victims

amr — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:49:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The remains of 542 Kurdish victims of mass graves taken out from the cemetery of Mahari last year were officially handed over Wednesday to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) represented by the Ministry for Martyrs and Anfal Affairs, an Iraqi human rights ministry statement said.

“In the presence of Minister of Human Rights Muhammad Shia al-Sudani and Minister of Health Majid Hama Amin, the remains of 542 Kurdish victims taken out from mass graves after three months of work last year deep into the desert by human rights ministry teams were handed over to the KRG,” according to the statement as received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

The KRG will take DNA samples from the relatives of the victims and identify with the martyrs, it added, noting the ministry of human rights is acting out of national, human and moral obligations.

AmR (PT)

Civil society in Missan calls for improving ration cards

susan — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:42:00 GMT

MISSAN / Aswat al-Iraq: Civil society organizations in Missan demanded lawmakers and members of the local council in the province to guarantee the citizens' rights to get complete ration card items.

The organizations and human rights activists sent a document to the parliament and the Missan local council in this regard.

The document demands all officials to work to guarantee that all citizens in Missan will have a complete ration card items in order to fulfill their foodstuff needs.

The document was signed by a number of organizations participated in a meeting held at the Missan local council with the attendance of Abdulhussein Abdulreza, chairman of the Missan council, and Yusra Nagi, the human rights committee official.

SH (TP)/SR

VP hopes HR organizations concentrate on victims' rights

susan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:24:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi Vice President Khudier al-Khuzaai said on Thursday that Iraq respects human rights, expressing hope that some human right organizations would concentrate on victims' rights only not terrorists.
This came during his meeting at his office in Baghdad with France's Ambassador for Human Rights Francois Zimeray and the French Ambassador to Iraq Denys Gauer.
"Iraq hopes that some human rights organizations would concentrate on victims' rights not terrorists," the Iraqi official said.
"There are reports of some organizations that carry political not humanitarian message and aims to damage Iraq's reputation," he added.
"Woman's rights in Iraq have witnessed a new leap as women now participate in decision making through parliament and the government," he noted.
"The meeting dwelt with a number of issue of common interest," al-Khuzaai's office said.

SH (TS)/SR

March of solidarity with Syrian people in Arbil

susan — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:48:00 GMT

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Tens of youth federations and organizations' representatives met in front of the Kurdish Parliament today to express their "solidarity" with the Syrian people and their "denunciation of the killings taking place there."
The Aswat al-Iraq correspondent present at the gathering, said that the protestors called on "the international community to intervene to put an end to Syrian government's violations."
"We met to express our solidarity with the Syrian people, denouncing the killings, hoping their demands will be met and calling on the international community to intervene to end anti-human rights practices," the secretary of Kurdish Democratic Youths,Omeed Khoshnaw, said in a statement to Aswat al-Iraq.

RM (TP)/SR

IMS opens legal center to defend journalists

mjafferdawood — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:19:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: International Journalists Organization (IMS) openedits legal center to defend the journalists here in Baghdad.

Head of the center, Hassan Sha'ban told Aswat al-Iraqthat the center is financially supported by the international organization"to defend the honest word and the honor of media profession".

A number of NGO activists, lawyers and journalistsattended the opening ceremony to support this project.

It is expected that this center will be the legaldefender against who will try to prevent reaching the information.

Poor Christian families visited in Baghdad - statement

susan — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:44:00 GMT

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UN official calls to empower rural women, end hunger

susan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:25:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Michelle Bachelet, UN Women's executive director, on the occasion of International Women's Day, called to empower rural women and end hunger around the world.
This International Women’s Day, “I join women around the globe in solidarity for human rights, dignity and equality.”
“This sense of mission drives me and millions of people around the world to pursue justice and inclusion. Looking back at the first year of UN Women, I applaud every individual, government and organization working for women’s empowerment and gender equality,” she said.
“I promise the highest commitment moving forward.”
“The creation of UN Women has coincided with deep changes in our world—from rising protests against inequality to uprisings for freedom and democracy in the Arab world. These events have strengthened my conviction that a sustainable future can only be reached by women, men and young people enjoying equality together,” she added.
From the government that changes its laws, to the enterprise that provides decent work and equal pay, to the parents that teach their daughter and son that all human beings should be treated the same, equality depends on each of us.
“During the past century, since the observance of the first International Women’s Day, we have witnessed a transformation in women’s legal rights, educational achievements, and participation in public life. In all regions, countries have expanded women’s legal entitlements,” she continued.
“Women have taken many steps forward. More women are exercising leadership in politics and business, more girls are going to school, and more women survive childbirth and can plan their families.”
“Yet while tremendous progress has been made, no country can claim to be entirely free from gender-based discrimination,” she said.
“This inequality can be seen in persistent gender wage gaps and unequal opportunities, in low representation of women in leadership in public office and the private sector, in child marriage and missing girls due to son preference, and in continuing violence against women in all its forms.”
“Nowhere are disparities and barriers greater than in rural areas for women and girls. Rural women and girls comprise one in four people worldwide,” the UN official underlined.
They work long hours with little or no pay and produce a large proportion of the food grown, especially in subsistence agriculture. They are farmers, entrepreneurs and leaders, and their contributions sustain their families, communities, nations and all of us.
“Yet they face some of the worst inequities in access to social services and land and other productive assets. And this deprives them and the world of the realization of their full potential, which brings me to my main point on this International Women’s Day,” Bachelet noted.
"Every human being has the right to live in peace and dignity. Every human being has the right to shape their future and the futures of their countries.
"That is the call for equality that I hear wherever I go. For this reason UN Women will place special focus this year on advancing women’s economic empowerment and political participation and leadership.
“We look forward to continued strong partnership with women, men and young people and with governments, civil society and the private sector,” she added.
“On International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to women’s rights and move forward with courage and determination. Let us defend human rights, the inherent dignity and worth of the human person, and the equal rights of men and women,” Bachelet concluded.

SH (TF)/SR

Concern with anti-media practices - statement

susan — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:11:00 GMT

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraq Association for the Defense of Journalists expressed its grave concern for the future of media work in Iraq following the practices against the media organs and journalists, according to a statement.

Spokesman Nadhim Ikaili said that the authorities are now demanding legal authorization of field work.

He added that a number of TV Satellite teams were prevented from their duties on different occasions for not having such authorizations "which will lead to new controls against the work of the media."

Ikaili confirmed the Association's rejection of such practices, calling on specialized commissions in the Iraqi Parliament and Communications Authority to urgently adopt measures that will facilitate journalistic work and its freedom.

RM (TS)/SR

First independent human rights organization, historical accomplishment - UNAMI

susan — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:16:00 GMT

BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: The United Nations praised the move of Iraqi Parliament to appoint who will work in the first independent higher human rights commission in Iraq.

In a statement issued by UN representative in Iraq (UNAMI) Martin Kobler, he described this move as "historical" because it will defend all components of the Iraqi society irrespective of their national, ethnic, religious and social inclinations.

The selection of the commission's members lasted for one year by a specialized committee.

It consisted of 11 permanent members and 3 alternatives.

The committee received 3085 requests for nomination and ended its deliberations on 5 April, 2012.

RM (TS)/SR

Human Rights Ministry discusses protection of minorities

susan — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:03:00 GMT

BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Human Rights Ministry held its round table meeting to discuss the agonies and problems facing the minorities in Iraq.

According to a statement by the ministry, the conferees discussed means and ways to find solutions to these problems.

The meeting was attended by human rights directorates in the ministries of interior, defence, justice, municipalities, higher education, health, immigration, education and Shiite and Sunni Endowment departments.

The statement added that the ministry is continuously following the situation of the minorities and the problems facing them, as stipulated by the Iraqi constitutions and regulations.

RM (TP)

Conference on anti-human trading next week

susan — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:29:00 GMT

BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi and Italian NGOs, in cooperation with Italian foreign ministry, will organize, next week in Sulaimaniya an international conference to prevent trading with humans.

The conference will be attended by Iraqi officials from the central government and the Kurdish, as well as Italian, European and Iraqi activists.

Ex-Iraqi Minister for Human Rights Bakhtiar Ameen, head of the International Alliance for Justice (AIJ) said that the conference will study the mechanism to prevent trading with the humans and means to combat it locally, regionally and internationally.

The conference will be held on 21-22 May, 2012 in Dukan city, Sulaimaniya, Kurdistan region.

He added to Aswat al-Iraq that this conference will provide a good opportunity for legal discussions and dialogues.

Iraqi Parliament endorsed a law against trading with the humans in February 2012.

Iraqi-Italian economic and cultural relations witnessed greater development with Kurdistan, which has its autonomy since 1991, that led to opening an Italian consulate in Arbil last year.

The conference agenda will comprise five sessions on the two days.

RM (TI)