Saturday 30 April 2016

Iraqi Communist Party statement on the latest developments - 30 April 2016

Statement of the Political Bureau of the Iraqi Communist Party

on the latest developments


Our capital Baghdad has witnessed today (30th April 2016) important developments with large numbers of demonstrators and protesters storming the parliament building.
It took place after the postponement of the session of parliament to the 10th of May, at a time when the masses of people in front of the Green Zone and Tahrir (Liberation) Square were waiting for the parliament’s session to be held today to resolve the cabinet reshuffle in accordance with their demands, so as to be the beginning of renouncing the sectarian-ethnic power-sharing system that was adopted by the ruling forces and blocs in setting up the structure of the political system and its administration.
The insistence of some of the dominant ruling blocs to stick to the policy of power-sharing, and resorting to more procrastination and reneging on promises and deadlines, was the direct cause of fueling the resentment and anger of the protesters, and pushing them to enter the Green Zone. This could have been avoided if there had been sincere intentions and a rapid response to the legitimate demands of the masses, and if serious steps were taken by the parliament and government that would have indicated a serious approach to move along the path of real and comprehensive reform.
While we hold the ruling groups responsible for the present situation in the country, with all the grave dangers it entails, especially at this critical time when our people and armed forces in all their formations are waging the battle against terrorism and Daesh, we warn that obstinacy and insistence on sectarian power-sharing threaten to produce other ominous crises.
We believe that it is now essential that an urgent meeting of the parliament is held, to approve the formation of the full new cabinet on the basis of competence, integrity and professionalism, away from power-sharing and allocation of posts, to be the first step in a comprehensive reform plan which must also include the independent bodies and special senior posts in government.
At this critical moment we call on the demonstrators and protesters to continue to adhere to the peaceful character of the demonstrations and to renounce any form of violence, and to protect public and private property and show high discipline, so as to deny anyone who wants to harm the peaceful, constitutional and civil character of the mass protest movement the opportunity to do so.
On the other hand, the stance of the security forces and their discipline and professionalism have played a major role in safeguarding life and property, and protecting the demonstrators and protesters and ensuring their safety, is worthy of recognition and praise.
Continued peaceful popular pressure is still required until there is full compliance with the just and legitimate demands of the demonstrators and protestors; for political and judicial reform, ending the sectarian-ethnic power-sharing, combating corruption and bringing the corrupt to account, the provision of public services, and alleviating the burden of the economic and financial crisis on the shoulders of the toilers and low-income people.
 Baghdad – 30th April 2016