The Iraq Freedom Congress: Working For a Democratic, Secular and Progressive Alternative

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IRAQ FREEDOM CONGRESS

Working For a Democratic, Secular and Progressive Alternative to both the US Occupation and Political Islam in Iraq

FOUNDING STATEMENT


We, the undersigned, hereby announce the formation of the Iraq Freedom Congress.

IFC is a broad organisation committed to establishing a free, secular and non-ethnic government in Iraq – a government based on direct sovereignty of people of Iraq, and committed to guarantying their right to freely and consciously determine the system of governance in Iraq.

IFC is independent, democratic, non-religious and non-ethnic.

IFC has been formed to encounter the civil abyss in Iraq. Presently, the fabric of the civil society in Iraq has been torn apart under the US occupation and the domination of the Islamic, tribal and political gangsters. People of Iraq have been caught between the two poles of world terrorism of our time- the US state terrorism and the political Islam – forcing their mental and physical well-being to the verge of destruction.

IFC strives to establish the sovereignty of people of Iraq. The only way out of this abyss is to mobilise people to take the country, to whatever extent possible, out of the sphere of control of both the US occupiers and the Islamic currents, and establish their sovereignty.

IFC mobilises and organises people within its local and district organisations to establish the control and sovereignty of the people at every level and to any extent possible. IFC safeguards this sovereignty against any aggression. The sovereignty of the people in this context is the implementation of the demands stated in the manifesto of IFC as legislations.

Individuals as well as organisations (including political parties, trade unions, people’s councils, associations and institutions) who share the aims and objectives of IFC may join IFC, as stated in the IFC’s constitution, provided their programmes and policies do not breach that of IFC.

IFC’s operations and organisation are not restricted to Iraq. IFC endeavours to gain the support of all free-minded individuals, progressive organisations and institutions worldwide, whom share its aims.

IFC calls on all humanitarians to join its ranks.

18 March 2005.

Signatories:

Ali Abas (Secretary of the Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions of Basra), Professor Amer Fayad (Political Science University of Baghdad), Amjad Ghafoor (Secretary of the Congress for the Referendum for the Independence of Kurdistan), Arman Farakish (Chair of Iranian Civil Rights Committee), Asai Kenji (Chair of International Solidarity Committee of Movement for Democratic Socialism – Japan), Aso Jabbar (Representative Abroad of Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions of Iraq),Falah Alwan (Secretary of the Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions of Iraq), Faris Mahmood (Politburo Member of Worker-communist Party of Iraq), Fateh Sheikh (Chair of Worker-communist Party of Iran – Hekmatist Politburo), Hosein Haref (Secretary of Visual Artists Centre of Iraq),Houzan Mahmoud (Women’s Movement Activist – Iraq)Javad Aslani (Iranian Civil Rights activist), Kazem Aniran (Chair of the Democratic Al-Ahwar of Iraq), Koorosh Modarresi (Leader of Worker-communist Party of Iran – Hekmatist), Mazloom Abas (Communist Activist), Professor Meqdam Abdul Jabbar (University of Basra), Moayed Ahmad (Politburo Member of Worker-communist Party of Iraq), Mohamad Hassan Saleh (Chair of Organization for Social Equality – Iraq) Nadia Mahmood (Founder and Co-ordinator of Middle East Centre for Women’s Rights) Professor Namir Al-Khayat (University of Basra), Nasrin Jalali (Iranian Civil Right activist), Osama Ghaem (Literary Critique) Qasem Hadi (General Secretary of Union of Unemployed in Iraq), Rebwar Ahmad (Leader of Worker-communist Party of Iraq) Professor Riad Al-Asadi (Political Science Basra University) Salam Mansoor (Playwright and Artist), Sami Hassan (Deputy Secretary of Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions of Basra), Samir Adel (Chair of the Executive Office of Worker-communist Party of Iraq) Sato Kazuyoshi (President of Movement for Democratic Socialism – Japan), Shamal Ali (Politburo Member of Worker-communist Party of Iraq) Yanar Mohammad (Chair of Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq) Yasn Taha Yasen (Chair of Education Now Centre in Iraq) Dr Wusam Shakir

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The following appears to be a report on the founding meeting of just one new chapter of the Iraqi Freedom Congress. I assume that many chapters have been or are being set-up across Iraq.

Iraqi Freedom Congress/ Wasit Chapter Holds Its First Annual Conference in Azizya

On May 24, 2008 the first Conference of Iraqi Freedom Congress / Wsit chapter was held in the city of Azizya. The event was attended by 167 delegates represented the cities of Zubaidi, Azizya, Dabuni and Kut. Also a delegation consisted of, Abu Kifah secretary of the Central Council, Abdilhadi Alfatlawi and Salih Hadi and Mohammed Khalil representing the IFC leadership were among the participants as well as a number of guests.

The meeting was opened with a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of war and occupation. followed by a speech of Badraldin Jasim and a presentation on the political situation in Iraq and IFC standing and a detailed remarks regarding the IFC manifesto; by Abu Kifah.

In the end the participants elected 7 members to the leadership of the chapter and the are Talal Mohammed, Risala Latif, Suhad Mehdi, Mohammed Abood, Saad Hussien, Kamil Mahmood and Mohammed Mahmood.






http://www.ifcongress.com/English/index.htm

[Better Believe It]

1. Don't Know Much About The Iraqi Freedom Congress

Outside of some of the articles I have read at their website, I really don't know very much about the Iraqi Freedom Congress. However, it's the only Iraqi political organization (outside of labor unions) I'm aware of that is fighting for a democratic and secular Iraq.

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2. Does Anyone Have More Information On Iraqi Freedom Congress?

Pro or con?