Press Release
November 16, 2011, Erbil, IRAQ “Another Iraq is Possible with Peace and Human Rights,” agree 250 representatives of civil society organizations who met October 8-9 in Erbil, Iraq.
A final declaration from their work together has been released this week in Arabic, Kurdish, French, Italian, and English and lays out a vision for social activists working to promote national sovereignty for Iraq.
The conference statement, issued six weeks before the final withdrawal of US forces, focuses on social justice, human rights, freedom, and self-determination for Iraqi citizens. Iraqi activists from trade unions, women’s and human rights organizations, youth programs, journalist syndicates and peace networks, joined together with over 100 international partners as the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI). Meeting since 2007, this year’s ICCSI agenda focused discussions on four vital sectors of Iraqi civil society.
- Iraqi trade unions in all sectors, seek the development of new labor laws to guarantee workers’ rights, especially the right to demonstrate and strike.
- Iraqi journalists demand freedom from government restrictions and protection from civil society organizations.
- Iraqi women insist upon full rights and equality under the law. Conference participants denounced all violence against women and all traditions that violate women’s rights and prevent them from reaching their full capacity.
- Iraqi youth, an important force for change and social progress, seek opportunities in education and employment; encouraging civil society and government to work together to develop Iraq’s young generations.
Expert panelists and the audience examined two critical issues:
1) the privatization of oil and 2) the devastation of Iraq’s environment and the increase in very serious health effects caused by the war.
Those present agreed that these issues require extensive study and immediate action by civil society organizations and activists within and outside of Iraq. Firmly committed to these goals, the international members of ICSSI committed their support to Iraqi NGOs as they take a decisive role in shaping Iraq’s future, addressing problems of unemployment, corruption, and lack of services. Solutions such as open dialogue, partnerships development, collaboration, advocacy and participation in the upcoming World Social Forums arose from numerous discussions. Members of the ICSSI will be working together over the next year to plan and carry out solidarity campaigns to advance specific goals that the ICSSI conference participants identified.
related documents: Final declaration 3rd conference ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (Arabic) Final declaration 3rd conference ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (English) Final declaration 3rd conference ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (French) Final declaration 3rd conference ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (Italian) list of NGOs and groups represented:
| Name of Attending Organizations at ICSSI Conference | Country |
| 3P Human Security | US |
| ACTED Iraq – Erbil | Iraq |
| AFO | Iraq |
| Akad Institute for Culture | Iraq |
| Al Izdihar Association | Iraq |
| Al Jeel Organization for Development | Iraq |
| Al-Mesalla | Iraq |
| Almumea Organization | Iraq |
| Alnass Organization | Iraq |
| Alshabiba | Iraq |
| Alternatives International | Canada |
| ArtRole | UK Iraq |
| Ashur for Development and Human Rights | Iraq |
| Asia Organization | Iraq |
| Azidi Solidarity and Fraternity Organization | Iraq |
| AZJ | Iraq |
| Baghdad Marathon | Italy |
| Baghdad TV | Iraq |
| Bund Fuer Soziale Verrteidigung | Germany |
| Bustan Association | Iraq |
| CCWF | Iraq |
| CDO | Sweden |
| CGIL-Modena | Italy |
| Civil Society Organization | Iraq |
| Council of Organizations of Salahadin | Iraq |
| DİSA, TİHV | Turkey |
| Elamiya for Women Rights | Iraq |
| Engineering Prof. Union – Electricity Section | Iraq |
| Federation of Trade Unions of Kurdistan | Iraq |
| Freedom Day | Iraq |
| Fuad | Iraq |
| Furat TV | Iraq |
| General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) | Iraq |
| General Union for Students in Iraq | Iraq |
| General Union for Students in KRG | Iraq |
| GVSIR | Iraq |
| Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (HCA) Turkey | Turkey |
| Hidden Theatre | Holland Italy |
| IKV Pax Christi | Netherland |
| IKNN | Iraq |
| Intilaq for Development | Iraq |
| IPAM | France |
| Iraqi Center for Research and Studies | Iraq |
| Iraqi Children’s Art | USA |
| Iraqi Democratic Future Network IDFN | Iraq |
| Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) | Iraq |
| Iraqi Federation of Salah al Deen | Iraq |
| Iraqi Institution for Development | Iraq |
| Iraqi Organization for the Dev’t of Sports | Iraq |
| IRD | Iraq |
| Istanbul Bilgi University | Turkey |
| Karibu Foundation | Norway/US |
| Kids and Environment Organization – Muthana | Iraq |
| KSC | Sweden |
| Kurdish General Workers Syndicate Union (KGWSU) | iraq |
| Kurdish Youth Empowerment Organisation (KYEO) | iraq |
| Laonf Non-Violence Group In Iraq | Iraq |
| Martyrs and Disappeared Persons | Iraq |
| Mennonite Central Committee | Iraq |
| Mercy Corps | Iraq |
| Nehorta Art Group | Iraq |
| NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI) | Iraq |
| NGO Resource Center at Dohuk | USA |
| Ninurta for Arts | Iraq |
| Organization of Women and Children | Iraq |
| Pax Christi | Netherlands |
| Peaceful Tomorrows, 121 Contact | USA |
| PIAM TV | Iraq |
| Professional Union – Health | Iraq |
| Rusul al Mahaba “Peace Association” | Iraq |
| Sala 1 Roma | Italy |
| Save the Children | Iraq |
| Save the Children / Kurdistan | Sweden |
| Sept. 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows | USA |
| Shiraa Organization | Iraq |
| South Youth Organization | Iraq |
| Students Union | Iraq |
| Sustainable Dev’t Capabilities of Women | Iraq |
| Tadamun Sport Organization | Iraq |
| Tammuz Organization for Social Development | Iraq |
| Together to Protect Human | Iraq |
| Un Ponte Per… | Italy |
| Un ponte per… Erbil Office | Iraq |
| Uptersport | Italy |
| Verso la Mesopotamia | Italy |
| War on Want | UK |
| Women and Children Organization | Iraq |
| Women for Peace | Iraq |
| Women Freedom – OWFI | Iraq |
| Women in Black (Madrid-Spain) | Spain |
| Women’s Alliance for Democratic Iraq – WAFDI | Iraq |
| World Without Wars and Violence | Iraq |
| Ya Basta | Italy |
| Yawm al Huria Organization | Iraq |
| Youth Gathering | Iraq |
Communiqué de presse
Erbil, Irak, 16 Novembre 2011. « Un autre Irak est possible, de paix et de droits de l’Homme » affirment ensemble 250 représentants de la société civile qui se sont rencontrés les 8 et 9 octobre à Erbil, en Irak. Une déclaration finale de leur travail commun a été publiée cette semaine en arabe, kurde, français, italien, et anglais et énonce une vision pour les militants associatifs qui travaillent à promouvoir la souveraineté nationale de l’Irak (voir : http://www.iraqicivilsociety.org ). La déclaration finale de la conférence, publiée six semaines avant le retrait définitif des forces américaines, se concentre sur la justice sociale, les droits humains, la liberté et l’autodétermination des citoyens irakiens. Des syndicalistes irakiens, des militantes des mouvements de femmes et des militants des organisation de droits de l’Homme, de jeunesse et des réseaux pour la paix ont formé avec plus de 100 partenaires internationaux l’Initiative de Solidarité avec la Société Civile Irakienne(Iraq Civil Society Solidarity Initiative – ICSSI). L’ICSSI se réunit depuis 2007. Cette année les discussions se sont centrées sur quatre secteurs vitaux de la société civile irakienne
- Les syndicats irakiens de tous les secteurs veulent de nouvelles lois du travail afin de garantir les droits des travailleurs, en particulier le droit de manifester et le droit de grève ;
- Les journalistes irakiens demandent la fin des restrictions du gouvernement et la protection des organisations de la société civile ;
- Les femmes irakiennes exigent leurs pleins droits et l’égalité devant la loi. Les participants à la conférence ont dénoncé toutes les violences contre les femmes et toutes les traditions qui violent les droits des femmes et les empêchent de se réaliser pleinement.
- La jeunesse irakienne, une force importante pour le changement et le progrès social, veut l’accès à l’éducation et l’emploi. Les participants à la conférence encouragent la société civile et le gouvernement à travailler ensemble pour développer les jeunes générations d’Irak.
Des experts et le public ont discuté deux questions essentielles: 1) La privatisation du pétrole, et 2) la dévastation de l’environnement en Irak et les problèmes de santé très graves causés par la guerre. Les présents ont convenu que ces questions nécessitent des études approfondies et une action immédiate des militants et des organisations de la société civile, d’Irak et d’ailleurs. Fermement engagés à atteindre ces objectifs, les membres internationaux de l’ICSSI ont confirmé leur appui aux ONG irakiennes alors que celles-ci prennent une place décisive pour construire le futur de l’Irak et résoudre les problèmes de chômage, de manque de services publics et de corruption. Des solutions telles que le dialogue ouvert, le développement des partenariats, la collaboration, le plaidoyer et la participation aux prochains Forums Sociaux Mondiaux ont surgi des nombreuses discussions. Les membres de l’ICSSI vont travailler ensemble au cours de l’année prochaine pour planifier et mener des campagnes de solidarité spécifiques pour faire progresser des objectifs précis que les participants à la conférence ont identifiés. documents liés : Déclaration finale de la 3ème conférence ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (arabe) Déclaration finale de la 3ème conférence ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (français) Déclaration finale de la 3ème conférence ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (anglais) Déclaration finale de la 3ème conférence ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (italien) liste des ONG et groupes representés :
| Name of Attending Organizations at ICSSI Conference | Country |
| 3P Human Security | US |
| ACTED Iraq – Erbil | Iraq |
| AFO | Iraq |
| Akad Institute for Culture | Iraq |
| Al Izdihar Association | Iraq |
| Al Jeel Organization for Development | Iraq |
| Al-Mesalla | Iraq |
| Almumea Organization | Iraq |
| Alnass Organization | Iraq |
| Alshabiba | Iraq |
| Alternatives International | Canada |
| ArtRole | UK Iraq |
| Ashur for Development and Human Rights | Iraq |
| Asia Organization | Iraq |
| Azidi Solidarity and Fraternity Organization | Iraq |
| AZJ | Iraq |
| Baghdad Marathon | Italy |
| Baghdad TV | Iraq |
| Bund Fuer Soziale Verrteidigung | Germany |
| Bustan Association | Iraq |
| CCWF | Iraq |
| CDO | Sweden |
| CGIL-Modena | Italy |
| Civil Society Organization | Iraq |
| Council of Organizations of Salahadin | Iraq |
| DİSA, TİHV | Turkey |
| Elamiya for Women Rights | Iraq |
| Engineering Prof. Union – Electricity Section | Iraq |
| Federation of Trade Unions of Kurdistan | Iraq |
| Freedom Day | Iraq |
| Fuad | Iraq |
| Furat TV | Iraq |
| General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) | Iraq |
| General Union for Students in Iraq | Iraq |
| General Union for Students in KRG | Iraq |
| GVSIR | Iraq |
| Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (HCA) Turkey | Turkey |
| Hidden Theatre | Holland Italy |
| IKV Pax Christi | Netherland |
| IKNN | Iraq |
| Intilaq for Development | Iraq |
| IPAM | France |
| Iraqi Center for Research and Studies | Iraq |
| Iraqi Children’s Art | USA |
| Iraqi Democratic Future Network IDFN | Iraq |
| Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) | Iraq |
| Iraqi Federation of Salah al Deen | Iraq |
| Iraqi Institution for Development | Iraq |
| Iraqi Organization for the Dev’t of Sports | Iraq |
| IRD | Iraq |
| Istanbul Bilgi University | Turkey |
| Karibu Foundation | Norway/US |
| Kids and Environment Organization – Muthana | Iraq |
| KSC | Sweden |
| Kurdish General Workers Syndicate Union (KGWSU) | iraq |
| Kurdish Youth Empowerment Organisation (KYEO) | iraq |
| Laonf Non-Violence Group In Iraq | Iraq |
| Martyrs and Disappeared Persons | Iraq |
| Mennonite Central Committee | Iraq |
| Mercy Corps | Iraq |
| Nehorta Art Group | Iraq |
| NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI) | Iraq |
| NGO Resource Center at Dohuk | USA |
| Ninurta for Arts | Iraq |
| Organization of Women and Children | Iraq |
| Pax Christi | Netherlands |
| Peaceful Tomorrows, 121 Contact | USA |
| PIAM TV | Iraq |
| Professional Union – Health | Iraq |
| Rusul al Mahaba “Peace Association” | Iraq |
| Sala 1 Roma | Italy |
| Save the Children | Iraq |
| Save the Children / Kurdistan | Sweden |
| Sept. 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows | USA |
| Shiraa Organization | Iraq |
| South Youth Organization | Iraq |
| Students Union | Iraq |
| Sustainable Dev’t Capabilities of Women | Iraq |
| Tadamun Sport Organization | Iraq |
| Tammuz Organization for Social Development | Iraq |
| Together to Protect Human | Iraq |
| Un Ponte Per… | Italy |
| Un ponte per… Erbil Office | Iraq |
| Uptersport | Italy |
| Verso la Mesopotamia | Italy |
| War on Want | UK |
| Women and Children Organization | Iraq |
| Women for Peace | Iraq |
| Women Freedom – OWFI | Iraq |
| Women in Black (Madrid-Spain) | Spain |
| Women’s Alliance for Democratic Iraq – WAFDI | Iraq |
| World Without Wars and Violence | Iraq |
| Ya Basta | Italy |
| Yawm al Huria Organization | Iraq |
| Youth Gathering | Iraq |