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
