Articles and Reports:

IDW Annual Report - in PDF Arabic & English (March, 2007)


IDW National Conference (December 1, 2006)


IDW’s report on the Armed Forces’ Violations of Freedoms and Rights in Iraq (English Translation - July 2006)


IDW’s report on the Armed Forces’ Violations of Freedoms and Rights in Iraq (Arabic - July 2006)


IDW’s report on the Democratic Process in Iraq (English Translation - July 2006)


IDW’s report on the Democratic Process in Iraq (Arabic - July 2006)


IDW’s report on the Delay of the Convening of Parliament (English Translation - April 2006)


IDW’s report on the Delay of the Convening of Parliament (Arabic - April 2006)


Democracy Watch Group Report in Al-Sabah News Paper (Article Delay in parliament convening - April 2006)


IDW’s report on Constitutional Amendments (English Translation - February 2006)


IDW’s report on Constitutional Amendments (Arabic - February 2006)


Democracy Watch Group Report in Al-Zaman News Paper (Article on Constitution Ammendments - February 2006)


IDW’s report on the Electoral Campaign (English Translation - December 2005)


IDW’s report on the Electoral Campaign (Arabic - December 2005)


Sabah newspaper on the Iraq Democracy Watch (Article on the Electoral Campaign - December 2005)

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Constitution Education Workshop

Sammawa
March 5, 2006

On March 5, 2006 IF held a constitution education workshop in the Iraqi Southern governorate of Sammawa. Some 50 NGO representatives, tribal leaders, Republican Guard officers, journalists, lawyers, and human rights activists attended the event which was aimed at:

  • raising public awareness
  • helping protect the rights and freedoms guaranteed under article two of the constitution
  • engaging civil society in promoting and consolidating democracy

The workshop was divided into two main panels:

First Panel: Rights and Freedoms in the Iraqi Constitution, Civil Society, and Tribalism

Panelists:

  • Dr. Ammar al Turki – Professor of Constitutional Law at ZiGar University
  • Mr. Rassol Radi Abu Hassna – Civil Society Activist

Dr. Turki pointed to the importance of the constitution in protecting individual freedoms and rights, and separating the powers of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Dr. Turki highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the constitution and praised the rights guaranteed under article two and six. Meanwhile, Mr. Abu Hassna focused on the role of tribalism in Iraq as defined under article 43 of the constitution. The panelist called for the necessity of revising and modernizing the traditional laws that have governed tribal affairs under previous Iraqi governments.

A lively discussion followed the two presentations in which the participants raised a number of questions with the panelists. The issues that were debated among the participants and the panelists included the status of the autonomous region of Kurdistan, women rights and their representation in parliament, and proposals on how to modernize the tribal community.

Second panel : Freedom of the Press and Article 39 of the Constitution

Panelists:

  • Mr. Nafa’ al Fartoosy – News Editor at al Sabah newspaper
  • Hossam Abd al Wahid – Professor of Law at ZiGar University

Mr. Fartoosy focused on how freedom of speech and the press could develop and consolidate democracy in Iraq. The speaker also addressed the challenges facing Iraqi journalists as they adapt to the new Iraqi environment that has emerged since the collapse of the Baath regime. Meanwhile, Mr Abd al Wahid presented a comprehensive comparison of constitutional article 39 and the personal status law of 1959.

After the panel concluded the participants debated the advantages and disadvantages of keeping or replacing the personal status law of 1959.

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