Constitution Education Workshop

Mosul Workshop
June, 19, 2006

The Iraq Foundation held a constitution education workshop in the Northern Iraqi city of Mosul on June 19 th 2006. Approximately 70 civil society members attended the event, including representatives from organizations working for the protection of the rights of children, detainees, and women. Additionally, the workshop was attended by the mayor of Ninawa governorate, Mr. Amir Jihad Salih and the President of the Council of Judges, Mr. Ismael Ibrahim al Zobaydi, in addition to several other members of the council. Reporters from al Zaman, al Takhee, Zakroos, al Ithihad, Ninwa, and Dajla newspapers and representatives from al Iraqiya, Ninwa, al Sumaria, and Baghdad TV stations attended and covered the workshop. On June 20, 2006 Al Iraqiya TV station broadcasted a 45 minute show on the workshop.

The workshop was divided into three panels during which the panelists discussed their papers and viewpoints on the constitution to spread public awareness on the document and educate Iraqis on their rights and freedoms.

The first panel discussed Dr. Mahir al Abaedi’s paper on the role of the constitution in developing democracies and guaranteeing rights and freedoms. Dr. al Abadei, a practicing lawyer in Mosul also discussed the importance of separating the judicial, executive and legislative powers and the relationship of the executive and legislative branches in established democracies.

The second panel focused on the freedoms guaranteed in the constitution and the discrepancy between legislation and implementation of constitutional articles. Lawyer Faris Abd Al Sta’ar presented his work on this topic and stressed the important role that civil society and the constitutional court play in monitoring government practices and the implementation of laws.

Finally, Lawyer Abd al Gahaar Suleiman explained the role that civil society plays in established democracies and the challenges this community has been facing in Iraq. Dr. Suleiman also discussed article 43 of the constitution, which highlights the state’s role in

strengthening civil society and advancing Iraqi tribes while prohibiting the tribal traditions that contradict human rights.

The Iraq Foundation chose to hold the workshop in Mosul since little attention has been given to this governorate. A number of Mosul-based non governmental organizations expressed interest in cooperating with the Foundation in future activities.