|
In one part of Iraq, democracy is not new |
|
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the
content of news information on this page |
|
In one part of Iraq, democracy is not new
22.6.2009
By Bashdar Pusho Ismaeel -
opinion
|
|
|
|
June
22, 2009
Much has been said about the advent of democracy in
Iraq, however democracy in one part of Iraq, albeit
not always in a perfect form, has been practiced
since 1992.
With the run up to crucial parliamentary and
presidential elections in the Kurdistan Region in
July of this year, it provides a gauge to determine
how far politics and democracy has evolved in the
region. KRG Head of the Department of Foreign
Relations, Falah Mustafa Bakir, hailed the upcoming
elections as a chance for people to make key
decisions and ensure the region is on the “right
track,” while strongly advocating as many
international observers as possible.
|
Bashdar Pusho Ismaeel, senior UK Editor |
From
fighting in the mountains to running in parliament,
fundamental achievements have been made since 1991
but democracy is still hampered by key deficiencies
and shortfalls such the judicial system, elements of
corruption and bureaucracy. According to Bakir, the
Kurds are witnessing a transitional phase in their
history and “have started to build the path towards
democracy but cannot claim to have a perfect
democratic experience yet.” However,www.ekurd.net
Bakir
stresses that his government has the political will
and the determination to “go to the end of that
road.”
Political opposition is increasing, and there are
signs that even the two dominant Kurdish parties,
Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic
Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are evolving under pressure
from changing times and increasing expectations of
the people. There is somewhat of a notion of a
conceptual battle between old schools of thought and
new liberal minds in Kurdistan.
According to Dindar Zebari, Special KRG
representative to the U.N., the Kurds have been
leading actors of democracy in Iraq, and believes
the upcoming elections “serve as another commitment
of Iraqi Kurds to the sovereignty and unity of the
country,” while urging more international support
for issues in Iraq and Kurdistan.
The KRG have perhaps been their worst critics at
times. According to Bakir, they have acknowledged
the need to highlight their deficiencies, seek
solutions and consult with others in bridging gaps.
Progression in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq
according to Bakir “needs patience, effort and
international support.”
Whilst it is easy to pick out failing in the Kurdish
democratic experience, one must judge a subject
within its context. With the exception of Turkey,
which houses many constraints of its own,www.ekurd.net
neighboring countries can hardly be classified as
model democracies. Democracy in Iraq itself is
flawed, with many constitutional stipulations voted
by millions, such as article 140 failing to attract
serious attention in its implementation
Although by their admission democracy in Kurdistan
is far from perfect, achievements in less than two
decades and particularly in the last six years have
been noteworthy. No democracy has ever flourished
without its pains and conflicts, and Kurdistan is no
different.
The Kurds have suffered immeasurably under
authoritarian Arab rule since the creation of the
artificial state of Iraq. Finally free from the
totalitarian grip of Saddam Hussein after immense
sacrifice, Kurds were able to decide their own
future and also showcase the virtue of
self-determination that they had been deprived for
so long.
And what better way to showcase your credentials for
statehood and self-rule than show the world and your
nemesis in the region that you are capable of a
democracy and a way of governance that not only
would be unique in Kurdistan as it would be a first,
but one that could also serve as a benchmark for the
rest of region.
Kurds have tried hard to implement a system of
tolerance to other religions and ethnicities that
they themselves have not received. Ever keen to
attract a positive view from the West, Kurds have
been keen to fight disputes such as over the city of
Kirkuk, in a democratic manner to legitimize and
bolster their experience.
In the time since its inception, the parliament has
passed a number of important laws, covering women
rights, press, economy, civil liberties and general
society. The improvements in freedoms and laws since
2003 have been noticeable, for example with
increasing rights for woman and increased government
tolerance to opposition.
However, although at times too general, reports from
human rights organizations have continued to
highlight shortcomings in terms of the application
of the rule of law, opposition and general freedoms.
According to Zebari, these reports are taking
“seriously” and the government has setup committees
and reinforced their desire to bring “human rights
to international standards”.
There is still an element of apprehension about
whether the parliament is really supporting and
serving the people. There is a general consensus
that parliamentarians have to be more attentive to
public concerns and demands. Accountability must
increase for this to be realized. For Zebari,
“elections will add to the legitimacy of the setup
of this region as elections always bring back
credibility, transparency and trust, from the
authorities to the people and vice versa.”
Moving forward, the Kurdistan parliament should work
to become a reflection of the will of the people,www.ekurd.net
and
there must be a closer correlation between both
sides. Politics must adapt to the people and
environment and not the other way around.
Copyright, respective
author or news agency,
Alarabiya net
About the Author
Bashdar Pusho Ismaeel is a London-based freelance
writer and analyst, whose primary focus and
expertise is on the Kurds, Iraq and Middle Eastern
current affairs. The main focus of his writing is to
promote peace, justice and increase awareness of the
diversity, suffering and at times explosive mix in
Iraq and the Middle East. You may
reach the author via email at: bashdar (at)
hotmail.com
You can contact Bashdar at freelance@bashdar.co.uk
or visit his personal site at www.bashdar.co.uk.
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
|
|
®
