The seventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq
The seventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq was greeted with a deafening silence in the British media.
This suits the political establishment of this country who wish to draw a line under the UK’s involvement in Iraq and move on, especially as we enter the general election season.
Unfortunately for the Iraqi people, they cannot move on. More than 5 million of them are displaced internally and externally, with no adequate strategy for their safe return. The human rights situation is dire - arbitrary arrests, detention without charge or trial and appalling torture are all practised with impunity.
Iraqis are living without all major services, in a failed state, under unprecedented corruption and a divisive political process.
Iraqi women and children continue to be in the front line of victims of this war and occupation.
Iraqi women suffered a catastrophic setback in their struggle for freedom and equality. They constitute 70% of the 2 million Internally Displaced Persons. Iraqi children constitute 50% of the 3 million ‘refugees’.
Women and children continue to get caught up in the violence brought about by the occupiers, the Iraqi government forces, militias, criminal mafias and the competing politicians.
The UK, as a vital party to the illegal war and occupation bears legal obligations that will not end by the publication of the Chilcot Inquiry’s report.
We continue to call for the UK’s total withdrawal from Iraq, including their special forces and the British private security companies. However, Britain cannot turn a blind eye to the consequences of their involvement in the destruction of the Iraqi state. The UK cannot walk away from the consequences of its decision to be part of the occupation of Iraq; itself is a breach of international law, while ignoring its international obligations.
We demand Justice for Iraq.
1. An immediate end to the US and UK-led occupation of Iraq, and the annulment of any security and strategic agreements enacted under occupation.
2. Urgent action to fully address the current humanitarian crises facing Iraq’s people, including help for the more than three million refugees and similar number of displaced persons inside the country;
3. An end to all foreign interference in Iraq's affairs, including its oil industry, so that Iraqis can exercise their right to self-determination;
4. Compensation and reparations from those countries responsible for war and sanctions on Iraq;
5. Prosecution of all those responsible for war crimes, human rights abuses, and the theft of Iraq's resources.
Women Solidarity for an Independent and Unified Iraq
http://solidarityiraq.blogspot.com
Iraq Occupation Focus
