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Yemenat
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yemenat
Conflicts and Violations
During my time at the military academy, I was a disciplined and committed student, to the point of anxiety. I did not take violations lightly, nor did I wish to commit them; I only did so out of forgetfulness, confusion, or for a justifiable reason. My infractions were minimal and exceedingly rare, if not nearly nonexistent. They ranged from the tip of my boot straying from the line of tiles, to a light dusting on my uniform, a minor error in drill movements, or a delay in formation—amounting to no more than a handful of instances over two years. I never missed a single day or class throughout my entire academic tenure. The most significant violation I committed during those two years went unpunished. While our squad was running drills, my classmate Habish, known for his frequent infractions and chaos—who seemed inseparable from punishment—made an offhand remark to a fellow student in our squad named Omar, a university graduate and a member of the Iraqi Communist Party. All our classmates from the Iraqi Communist Party were university graduates, members of the party, and were aligned with the seats designated for the liberation movement. They embodied nobility, cultural richness, refined conduct, and served as admirable examples. Omar, in particular, stood out among them for his exceptional character and was a figure of inspiration. It is no small feat for a person to embody high awareness, cultural depth, righteous behavior, dignified interactions, and profound humility, yet Omar managed to encapsulate all this and more. His qualities consistently amazed and impressed me, making him worthy of my attempts to emulate him above all others. If all communists were like Omar, they would certainly deserve admiration. They were students of the remarkable Iraqi communist teacher, Fahd, who once proclaimed, as he faced execution by hanging: 'Communists are stronger than death and higher than the gallows.' In Omar, I saw a glimpse of prophecy, a Sufi asceticism infused with a touch of divinity, and a great leader who captivates hearts. My disorderly classmate's condescension towards Omar provoked me, stirring my moral indignation before any other sentiment, and I rushed at him with vigor and fury, surprising everyone, including the offender, who did not anticipate such a reaction. We engaged in a fierce altercation, and our peers intervened to break up the fight, transforming our orderly drill into a chaotic scene. Once the confrontation was resolved, the matter was contained amicably without notifying the authorities. In another instance, I faced compounded punishment. Upon hearing the formation whistle, I would rush like a Spanish bull to the yard, determined to avoid being caught by the duty officer. I was astounded and quick on my feet, pushing aside those who lagged before me. In a heavy jest, while I was resting beside the bed waiting for the formation whistle, some of my roommates played a trick on me by tying my belt to the bedpost without my knowledge. As soon as I heard the whistle, I bolted with the force of seventy horses, toppling the bed, which crashed to the ground amidst a flurry of scattered items. I hurried to try to fix what I could, but time was not on my side, and chaos reigned. I was punished twice that day: first for being late to formation, and second for the chaos that ensued with my bed and the scattered belongings around my room. Consequently, my roommate on the upper bunk also faced repercussions, but for him, it hardly mattered. He was infamous—if my memory serves me right—by the number 71444; we memorized his name due to his daily infractions, as he rarely escaped punishment. His number echoed every day over the loudspeaker during the afternoon formation, announcing his penalties or additional drills. * * * Perseverance and lack of sleep sometimes drained my strength. I remember a particular moment in the 'Vehicle Training' class; as the instructor was engrossed in explaining the workings of the car's pistons, I collapsed to the ground. I fell hard, as if a sudden seizure had overtaken me while I stood. When my classmates rushed to see what had happened, they were astonished to see me spring back to my feet. Even more surprising was my nonchalant response: 'Nothing happened, I just dozed off while standing.' Their astonishment grew, and laughter erupted, while the kind instructor allowed me to take a break. Nevertheless, I stubbornly continued to listen to the lesson. I remained committed during the night watches, despite my disdain for them, except when guarding one of the radar bases along the coast of Amran in Al-Shaab district in Aden, which felt more like a leisurely outing to me. During one of my guard shifts at the academy, while sitting in a chair with my rifle in hand, my head and neck suddenly dropped, and I almost fell. The knife fixed to the rifle's muzzle nearly struck my eye. It served as a harsh lesson that kept me alert during my subsequent shifts—I nearly learned at a great cost. * * * Yet, the infraction I cannot forget was when I left the buttons of my pants undone. The instructor, a short-statured Russian expert in reconnaissance, chastised me with an intensity that resembled a fit of passion, his words a blur I could not comprehend. However, his gestures and animated movements conveyed more than any punishment could; I was engulfed in shame, eliciting a storm of laughter from my peers. Today, in the Parliament, this scene and this forgetfulness recur without eliciting any reaction from anyone, to the point where it feels habitual and unremarkable. It seems I have been struck by a form of 'Alzheimer's.' Often, I or my colleagues discover that my zipper is down. Just the other day, my companion Nabeel Al-Hussam pointed it out, and in an animated response, followed by laughter, I retorted, 'I know… I'm heading to Parliament. It's customary for me to do this.' I conclude by saying that it is hardly surprising. The council has become a display of nudity, and I strive to maintain modesty as much as I can. What parallels this, and even exceeds it, deserves far more from me.
Shafaq News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Where is the justice?: Iraqi workers share struggles on International Labor Day
Shafaq News/ Iraqis marked International Workers' Day on Thursday with marches and public celebrations in various provinces, as labor advocates and officials called for stronger protections, fairer wages, and institutional reform to support the country's working class. International Workers' Day, observed globally on May 1, is a formal holiday in Iraq, meant to honor workers' contributions and renew advocacy for labor justice. In Baghdad, the Iraqi Communist Party organized a rally in the city center, drawing dozens of members and supporters. Participants held signs and chanted slogans in solidarity with workers' movements worldwide. 'This march is part of our annual celebration of International Workers' Day — a symbol of global struggle against exploitation and injustice,' said Mohammed Sadiq, one of the marchers. 'It reminds us of labor protests in the US that led to deaths but also paved the way for laws that protected workers, such as limiting working hours and ensuring fair wages.' Suhaila Al-Asam, another marcher, emphasized the need for meaningful action. 'We pay tribute to every laborer and employee in Iraq and abroad,' she said. 'This is a day of solidarity with Iraq's working class, who sacrifice so much to build this country.' She called for comprehensive wage reform and the full protection of workers' rights. Celebrations in Babil In Babil province, the city of Hillah hosted a large celebration organized by the municipality and the Directorate of Youth and Sports. Officials used the occasion to acknowledge laborers' contributions and renew pledges to improve their living conditions. 'Labor Day is a chance to spotlight the people who carry the burden of building this country,' said Hillah Mayor Ahmed Montathar. 'Despite their dedication, many still face marginalization when it comes to pay, benefits, and safety.' Babil Governor Adnan Fayhan visited a gathering of municipal workers, where he distributed cash bonuses and flowers. 'We believe that workers are the foundation of development,' he said. 'Today's visit was a symbolic gesture of respect, but we're also pushing for structural reforms, including adjustments to the national pay scale.' In a first-of-its-kind move, the Directorate of Youth and Sports joined the celebrations. 'We wanted to send a message that youth and workers are partners in building Iraq's future,' said director Nail Hussein. 'Work is the soul of life and the foundation of real progress.' Ongoing Struggles for Iraq's Workers Municipal workers attending the Hillah celebration echoed the need for change. 'We have been renting for over 13 years, and some of us have not received basic entitlements for 17 years,' said Qasim Kazem, a municipal laborer. 'We work long hours for just 350,000 dinars (about $265) per month, while others in similar roles earn millions. Where is the Justice?' Policy Action, Not Ceremonial Rhetoric Amid the celebrations, labor rights advocates warned that symbolic gestures must not overshadow Iraq's persistent labor challenges. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of Iraq's Strategic Center for Human Rights, called on the government and parliament to adopt a comprehensive national strategy to protect workers and improve working conditions. 'Workers in Iraq still face serious challenges, including low wages, lack of social protections, and unsafe conditions in the informal labor sector,' Al-Gharawi said. 'They suffer from weak enforcement of labor laws, insufficient government policies, and rising unemployment, which has eroded trust between workers and state institutions.' He urged lawmakers to revisit and update the Social Security and Pension Law for workers in line with international standards, particularly to include those employed in the private and informal sectors. He also stressed the need to empower trade unions and strengthen labor inspections. 'Iraq's labor laws—particularly Law No. 37 of 2015—are relatively advanced, but the real issue is poor implementation and oversight,' he said, calling for linking public contracts with local and foreign companies to compliance with international labor standards. 'Justice for workers will not come from ceremonial statements—it requires real legislative and institutional action,' he added, calling for national job training and integration programs to tackle unemployment among youth and graduates.
Shafaq News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Call for justice: Iraq's Communist Party demands Feyli Kurd rights
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, the Iraqi Communist Party called for the passage of laws to restore the rights of the Feyli Kurds, providing compensation for the injustices they have endured. In an official statement, the party expressed "pride and deep appreciation" for the sacrifices made by Feyli Kurdish citizens, particularly those who were victims of the brutal crimes carried out by the former regime. The group also honored the 'resilience' of Feyli Kurds on Martyrs' Day, stressing the need to restore their citizenship rights and compensate them for their suffering. The Feyli Kurds, an ethnically Kurdish and predominantly Shiite minority, were subjected to systematic persecution under Saddam Hussein's regime, particularly during the 1980s. Thousands were stripped of their citizenship, forcibly deported, imprisoned, and executed in what historians have described as a campaign driven by both ethnic and sectarian motives.
Shafaq News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurdish Presidency commemorates anniversary of Iraqi, Kurdish Communist Parties
Shafaq News/ Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday congratulated the Iraqi Communist Party and the Communist Party of Kurdistan–Iraq on their anniversary, commending their role in resisting dictatorship. In an official statement, the presidency highlighted the parties' national contributions, their 'struggle against tyranny,' and their engagement in political life. It also honored past communist activists 'who dedicated themselves to serving the nation and its people.' The statement paid tribute to 'the martyrs of the communist movement' and all those who sacrificed their lives for Kurdistan. The Communist Party of Kurdistan–Iraq (CPK), founded in 1993, emerged from the Kurdish branch of the Iraqi Communist Party.
Shafaq News
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Erbil Forum: Iraq's ICP declares state weak, unable to uphold sovereignty
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi state is too weak to assert itself on the world stage, the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP) said on Thursday, announcing plans to form a democratic civilian coalition for the upcoming legislative elections. Speaking at the third Erbil Forum, ICP Secretary Raed Fahmi said the state-building process is marred by corruption, leaving Iraq 'weak, bloated, and unable to deliver essential services.' 'The Iraqi state must be strong, with legitimate institutions that are not only legal but also socially recognized, and capable of delivering results," he added. 'However, these factors are currently absent.' The official also criticized the previous parliamentary elections, noting that less than 20% of citizens currently participate, making them legally legitimate but limiting their social legitimacy. 'Given these major issues, it seems the state is unable to maintain itself, protect the rights of Iraqis, or uphold Iraq's sovereignty,' he added. Notably, the official voter turnout was approximately 40%. Regarding the October elections, Fahmi stressed that they must genuinely and fairly reflect public opinion to serve as a step toward resolving Iraq's ongoing crises. 'If voter participation remains between 17 and 18 percent, with over 80% abstaining, Iraq would face a very serious problem,' he warned, emphasizing his party's commitment 'within the civil democratic project to advocate for a shift towards a citizen-state, moving away from a state of components, and implementing changes targeting the political structure and orientations.'
