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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |
IRAQ: Violence mars civilian participation in political process
BAGHDAD, 13 Oct 2006 (IRIN) - The ninth in a series of IRIN stories examining the obstacles Iraq faces in implementing its government’s plan to reconcile different sections of Iraqi society.
Although a higher number of ordinary Iraqis went to the polls in Iraq’s 2005 elections than its 2004 elections, it has not lead to the greater day-to-day involvement of citizens in building Iraq’s democracy.
“We went to the polls and cast our votes under a deteriorated security situation with the expectation that as soon as the new government assumed its post, it was going to bring peace to Iraq,” said Salah Haydar, 56, a shopkeeper in the capital, Baghdad.
“But the opposite happened - violence has increased and become worse. The new reconciliation plan has not shown success yet, and every day more ordinary Iraqis are dying from this violence,” he added.
The national reconciliation plan proposed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and approved by parliament on 25 June aims to increase the political participation of all levels of Iraqi society.
The US-led multinational forces, the United Nations and the Iraq government have been trying to encourage civil society participation in the political transition of the country.
The reconciliation plan proposed community participation in helping to bring peace to the country through regular local meetings, an opportunity to denounce terrorism and show a spirit of loyalty to the nation.
Politicians and senior government leaders said that they have opened the doors for civil society to participate in the political process in a way that will guarantee democracy in the country.
“Meetings are being promoted within the community to receive their opinions and claims. Religious and community leaders are being invited to conferences and gatherings to discuss the problems in the country,” said Barek Dirar, an analyst for the Iraqi parliament.
“In the meantime [the government] is giving the chance for the Iraqi population to participate by giving their ideas and opinions and be part of the country’s development,” he added.
Community meetings
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s office organises the community meetings and has hosted at least 10 conferences since the reconciliation plan was launched. Hundreds of people have already participated and many views and suggestions have been passed on to parliament for discussion.
The main concern is security, a factor that hampers the level of attendance at the community meetings.
“Insurgents and gangs are targeting anyone who participates in this political transition, generating fear within the local communities,” Dirar said, adding that only about 50 percent of invitees participated at the meetings.
“I wish to help in the political process in Iraq, but today, whatever the side you take, you might be considered a betrayer by the other side and be killed,” said Ibrahim Ali, 59, a shopkeeper in Baghdad.
To Maruan Youssef, 35, a professor at the Biology College in Mustansiriyah University in the capital, the problem is more serious and far-reaching than that, because criminals control the streets and the government has done little to stop them, he said.
“I cannot participate and give my opinions, because sometimes you can suffer the consequences even with a friend or student when you have different ideas on politics than them,” Youssef said. “The politicians don't care about us. They are just taking our money and will leave.”
Insurgents kept out of politics
In addition to efforts by the government to increase civilian participation in the political process, the reconciliation plan also aims to increase the participation of fighters too.
“The main proposal of the plan is to give the chance for insurgent groups to express their ideas and opinions, giving the chance for a democratic political process,” Dirar noted.
Some small insurgent groups like Muhammad Followers Fighters and Fighters of God have accepted the plan and have begun talking with the government.
However, other groups, in particular the more powerful ones, still disagree with the plan because it only offers participation to those that are considered peaceful – that were not responsible for the killing of civilians or innocent people.
“For the plan to work, everyone should be able to participate and give their opinions and suggestions. Prohibiting some groups to participate will just increase their hate against the running Iraqi government,” said Abu Muhammad, a spokesman for al-Qaeda in Iraq.
As/ls/ed
[ENDS]
This material comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. All materials copyright © UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2006
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