Human rights, Kurds, and the future of Iraq

by Rowsch Shaweiss

from: Bitter Lemons

Human rights terminology was virtually non-existent in the political, social, and administrative dictionary of the former Iraqi regime. Human rights were casually violated on a daily basis. Genocidal acts occurred in many forms, from the north to the south of Iraq. Chemical weapons were used all across the northern Iraqi Kurdistan Region from the northwest near the Turkish border to the southeast near the Iranian border in dozens of locations. Halabja was but one of many incidents, and the most infamous.

This was all part of a campaign, the "Anfal Campaign," that saw the disappearance of over 100,000 civilians and the destruction of over 4,000 communities, including large towns of over 50,000 residents. Tens of thousands of families fled to neighboring countries, or were forcibly relocated to reservation-like, so-called "collective" towns away from their livelihoods. Thousands more families were forced off their lands in a process commonly called Arabization.

Not only the people of Iraqi Kurdistan suffered to the extreme. Other Iraqis were subjected to atrocities and other human rights violations.

The people of Iraq endured 35 years of oppression and atrocities that excelled in creativity and cruelty. Many of us have endured to see the downfall of one of the most brutal regimes in human history. There are many among us who were deliberately deprived of the opportunity to endure. Let us never forget them. Let us never forget the dozens of mass graves that continue to be discovered.

Iraq is a uniquely rich country, not only rich in oil and water, but especially rich in its human resources. We are an educated, highly skilled, and hardworking people. Iraqis work. But today, we are a country mostly in ruins, with enormous debt, struggling hard to reconfigure ourselves and rush into a new future where personal security and political stability are the norms of everyday life throughout the country.

The former regime not only flagrantly violated human rights, but was also instrumental in destroying the very fabric of Iraqi society. Economic hardship in a very rich country, with underpaid civil servants, led to widespread corruption in all aspects of life. The crimes of the former regime are incalculable.

The international community has a moral duty to expose and examine these atrocities and to help the Iraqi people in healing very deep wounds. The survivors of genocide need to be treated, notably those who have suffered the effects of chemical weapons. Their losses need to be examined and restitution made in order for justice to prevail.

We know we are an important country, not only because of our oil, but also because of our location and the strong characteristics of our people. With our wealth, our skills, our hardworking nature, with our energies channeled in constructive directions, we have the potential to become one of the leading countries of the region, a country that lives in peace within itself and with its neighbors.

We are the victims and survivors of yesterday's Iraq. Only, to survive is not our ultimate aim. We are also the visionaries and builders of tomorrow's Iraq where every Iraqi life is lived with dignity, in prosperity, with full respect for the very word "life."

The current transitional government of Iraq may be new, but very capable people are handling all portfolios. Among 25 ministers, 17 are PhD holders, which makes our cabinet perhaps one of the most educated in the world. Their capacities and determination to function under the current very difficult circumstances are strong signs of hope for Iraq's future. In addition to the 24 portfolios in the cabinet, a Ministry of Human Rights was formed in order to concentrate attention on this important issue at the highest level of authority.

There may well be certain circles that doubt the rate of success of the present Iraqi government and also believe democracy cannot be introduced to Iraq, and human rights, after years of violations, will not be respected. I have news for them: Iraq can be democratic and will be democratic.

The people of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, since 1991 only one step away from the everyday brutality of the former regime, managed to conduct an exemplary experiment in developing democracy. Successful elections were held at the regional level and at the municipal level. Democratic institutions continue to be developed, and the Kurdistan National Assembly, our parliament, enjoys healthy debates. In the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, we have 12 years experience in building democracy. We are secure and stable. We believe our experiment and experience can be very well replicated and reflected throughout the rest of Iraq.

We may have a long road ahead of us. But we have a long road behind us. We know how to endure and struggle on long roads. The first step has been taken. And it has been a giant step. We feel we are no longer lonely travelers. We want the world to travel with us throughout our very promising journey. We want the world with us every step of the way to help us rebuild Iraq as a country where we both will enjoy each other's company and enjoy its prosperity and well being and promise.

-Published 18/12/2003