21 IMCWP, Statement of Solidarity with the Iraqi People

11/1/19 3:29 PM
  • En

We, the representatives of the undersigned parties meeting in Izmir, Turkey during the 21st IMCWP, express our solidarity with the struggle of the Iraqi people and support for the legitimate demands of their popular uprising against the sectarian power-sharing quota system and corruption, for a civil democratic state and social justice. 

We strongly condemn the bloody repression of the peaceful demonstrations that began on 1st October 2019 in Baghdad and other provinces, with participants mainly young people protesting against the corrupt political system, poverty and unemployment. The security forces fired live ammunition and also used rubber bullets and tear gas. More than 130 people were killed, 6000 injured and hundreds detained. 

We call for an immediate halt to the killings of peaceful demonstrators, the release of all detainees and an end to the campaign of arrests targeting activists. Those responsible for killing tens of young people must be brought to justice. An independent inquiry must be set up to investigate these crimes. All restrictions on the media must be lifted and the constitutional right to assembly and freedom of expression must be respected. 

We support the struggle of the Iraqi democratic forces for radical political reforms, putting an end to the sectarian power-sharing quota system and combating corruption. The legitimate demands of the protesters and Iraqi people should be addressed with urgent economic and social measures to tackle poverty and unemployment and improve health and education.

We reiterate our support for the Iraqi people’s struggle for a civil democratic state and social justice, which is fundamental to ensuring Iraq’s national sovereignty and true independence.

 

Signatories:

  1. Communist Party of Bangladesh
  2. Communist Party of Belgium
  3. Brazilian Communist Party
  4. Socialist Workers' Party of Croatia
  5. AKEL, Cyprus
  6. French Communist Party
  7. German CP
  8. Hungarian Workers Party
  9. Iraqi Communist Party
  10. Communist Party of Kurdistan-Iraq
  11. Communist Party of Israel. 
  12. Palestinian Communist Party
  13. Communist Party of the Russian Federation
  14. Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain
  15. Communists of Catalonia
  16. Communist Party of Uruguay