Dr. Al-Qaddo Participates In International Workshop

Iraq towards the New Elections

Dr. Hunain Al-Qaddo was invited to participate in an international workshop on the 4th-5th December in Como , Italy . The workshops main headlines were "Iraq towards the New Elections". Dr. Al-Qaddo discussed alot of his own points of view and solutions and presented a paper in this international workshop:-

In 2003, Iraqs minorities made up as much as 14 percent of Iraqs population. This includes Armenian, Christian, Mandeans, Shabak, Turkmen, Yazidies and other minorities. Five years later, most of Iraqis minorities have fled or hope to flee the country due to lack of security, the absence of constitutional protections and legislation and Kurdifying attempts by main Kurdish political parties.
Divided and weak representation at regional and federal levels of government is another challenge encountering the existence of minorities in Iraq. <

Minorities have become victims of extremism and fanatic agendas, criminal groups terrorists and the Kurds Kurdifying process. Therefore, since 2003 a dramatic exodus of Iraqs minorities has taken place. We fear about the very existence of some of Iraqs minorities which over the centuries, they have made major contributions to the nation and are part of the historic fabric of the Iraqi society.

Without taking an appropiate action (legislative and executive) by the Iraqi government, Iraqs minority population will remain in flux.
We would like to outline a range of potential actions that could stop the exodus of minorities and protect their very existence.

Provide support where possible, to Iraqi human rights organisations that follow minority issues.
Reestablish the Iraqi Minorities Council as an independant (Iraqi Government supported) institution to ensure a slow, consultative and cohesive approach to improve the situation of minorities.
Broadening the constitutions recognition of some minorities excluded from article 125 such as Shabak and Armenian.
Establishing Minority committee in the council of Representatives to develop nondiscrimination and minority legislation for Council Representatives.
Reserve permanent seats at regional and central level for minorities that cannot reach the threshold to achieve seats provided that the seats will be reserved for independant candidates only for the specific minority. In other words candidates who are members of a larger political parties are prohibited from competing on those seats.

Dr. Hunain M.A. Al-Qaddo.
Member Of the Iraqi Parliament