Iraqi CP leader .. about recent developments and the sectarianism

Iraqi Communist Party leader:  Opportunities to build a democratic civil state will remain stalled as long as sectarian plague remains

Comrade Hamid Majid Mousa, the Secretary of the Iraqi Communist Party, attended the founding National Congress of the Tunisian Social Democratic Path (Al Massar) Party, held on 21 and 22 June 2014 in the Tunisian capital. He delivered a speech at the Congress which dealt with the recent developments in Iraq. The following are excerpts of his speech: 

 “The Iraqi people are living through very difficult days after the forces of terrorism and darkness managed to spread their control over few of our dear cities, establishing the rule of the Middle Ages and the concepts of backwardness and reaction in the name of religion, killing innocent people and wreaking destruction on the property and the cultural heritage of our people.

“You are probably aware that what has happened recently is not in isolated from what Iraq lived through in recent years. There has been a deep and total crisis caused by the legacy of long years of tyranny and dictatorship, the consequences of the U.S. occupation and the interference of regional powers. It has been exacerbated by the escalation of terrorist activity and the growing manifestations of political, administrative and financial corruption. This crisis has been further complicated by poor governance and the backward undemocratic mentality which is inherent in the behavior and policy of the political forces that are holding the reins of power in the country. What has happened recently cannot also be isolated from the infighting among the ruling forces over power, wealth and influence, and the struggle over shaping the political and economic present and future of the country. They have employed a lot of illegitimate means and mechanisms that contravene democracy and human rights in order to achieve their ends. As a result, the country has sunk over the past years into an abyss of chaos and social tension, uncontrolled violence and instability, hindered development and economic paralysis, and stagnation at all levels and in various fields; social, cultural and psychological.

“The biggest scourge that has laid the basis for all this deterioration, fragmentation and strife is sectarian bigotry, with its abhorrent manifestations evident in the sectarian – ethnic power-sharing system upon which the present political process in Iraq was built. This scourge was produced by domestic minds and interests and was enshrined by the U.S. occupation. The chances of building a modern civil democratic state, legitimate institutions and the rule of law, respect for the Constitution, effective combating of corruption, and thereby the eradication of the rampant phenomenon and practice of terrorism, will remain hampered as long as this plague remains entrenched in Iraq and its social structures and political system.

“The Iraqi experience provides an example and a lesson for all activists in the Arab countries and Islamic countries as they face the task of rebuilding their countries in line with the higher radical interests of their peoples, fighting against poverty, ignorance and disease, for achieving economic progress and social justice, ensuring freedom, the consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights, and ensuring independence and national sovereignty. It is a lesson that teaches them to be aware of and to avoid sectarian bigotry which some of the extremist forces of political Islam, and the forces of imperialism, seek to justify and promote to serve their interests and political aspirations for leadership and hegemony. This is the path that will only lead to strife among the people, splitting their ranks, fragmenting the bonds of their cohesion and sabotaging their national unity, thus perpetuating chaos, backwardness and the squandering of wealth through channels of corruption and organized crime and in sectarian – civil wars.

“The radical remedy for the problems of the country and its intractable crisis lies getting rid of the sectarian – ethnic power-sharing system, commitment to the values ​​of true democracy, with its political and social dimensions and institutions, and building the state in line with its principles. The means of administration and governance must ensure respect for human rights, politically and socially, to guarantee equal citizenship, social justice, independence and national sovereignty. It is the path for the establishment of a democratic civil state which provides all the necessary prerequisites for launching the process of sustainable economic, social, political and cultural development, utilizing the abundant wealth of the people and homeland for the good of its citizens and their well-being, happiness and civilized progress, lifting the homeland to the ranks of advanced modern states.

“As we resolutely confront terrorism and terrorists, and strive to defeat them and save the homeland from their evils with all legitimate means available, it is of utmost importance to strengthen the unity of the forces that support the democratic political process. Outstanding problems between them should be resolved through dialogue, political realism and flexibility, and by offering reciprocated concessions, to reach joint compromise solutions, away from intransigence and insistence on giving priority to the self-interests at the expense of the public interests. In addition, the best prerequisites must be provided to ensure the stability of the country, maintain its security, safety and free and dignified development, without foreign interference, both international and regional, which has only caused harm and crises and compromised our national security interests.

“The masses of our Iraqi people and their national and democratic forces possess a lot of potential and resources for rebound, as well as a long experience of struggle. If they draw the proper lessons, have good will and faith, put ahead the country's higher interests, and succeed in managing their affairs, rebuilding their relationships and organizing their ranks, they would be able to save the country from its setback, ensure whatever that helps to resolve its crisis, and secure its march toward building a civil democratic, free and independent Iraq; the homeland of all Iraqi men and women.”