Justice for Iraq conference
Justice for Iraq
A day conference
Saturday 19 July, London
Justice for Iraq is a call to action – a campaign that demands a complete policy reversal of those countries who have invaded and occupied Iraq since 2003. Ending the military occupation remains the most urgent priority. But Iraq will remain a broken nation without urgent measures aimed at delivering lasting peace and justice for its people and healing some of the wounds caused by this disastrous war.
Justice for Iraq will pressure Iraq’s occupiers to:
- withdraw their troops and privatised security forces;
- restore Iraq’s full economic, legal and political sovereignty;
- dismantle the Green Zone and the other occupation walls;
- clean up toxic and unexploded weapons of war;
- release and compensate detainees;
- assist refugees and displaced persons;
- help Iraq to relieve dire shortages in food, water, energy and medical supplies;
- agree to pay reparations for waging a war of aggression;
- ensure that war criminals face justice.
These demands do not represent a complete or final list. This campaign is in the process of emerging and we are reaching out to build a network of organisations and individuals who share a similar goal. Join us on 19th July to be a part of debating, building and launching this campaign.
Speakers confirmed so far:
- Hans von Sponeck, Former UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq
- Haifa Zangana, Iraqi writer and activist
- Sami Ramadani, Iraqi Democrats Against the Occupation
- Kamil Mahdi, Senior lecturer in Middle East economics at University of Exeter
- Mazin Younis, Iraqi League
- John McDonnell MP
- Greg Muttitt, PLATFORM
- John Hilary, War on Want
- Jehangir Jilani, Public Interest Lawyers
- Liz Davies, Iraq Occupation Focus
- Marion Birch, Medact
- Milan Rai, Justice Not Vengeance / Peace News
- Sarah Parker, Coalition to Stop Deportations to Iraq
11.00-17.00, Saturday 19 July 2008
United Reformed Church
Buck Street, Camden (close to Camden Town tube)
London NW1 8NJ
Entry by donation (suggested amount: £7/£5 unwaged)
Please see the Justice for Iraq blog for more details.
The demands see still see a friendly role for imperialism to help with food, energy and displaced people - it is a fantasy world that these demands come from akin to the world the AWL live in.
Comment by Chris S — 7 July, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
The demands still see a friendly role for imperialism to help with food, energy and displaced people - it is a fantasy world that these demands come from akin to the world the AWL live in.
Comment by Chris S — 7 July, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Is this a new or rival incarnation to stop the war?
Comment by TheSocialistVote — 7 July, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
1 & 2 (so good it had to be repeated) is just silly - demands for troop withdrawal just isn’t AWLworld.
#3 the various bodies have been going for a while, there’s a lot of overlap with STW, so I don’t think it can be seen as a rival - but it would be a mistake to just do what STW says. It’s played a brilliant role, even if it now seems to be entering a latent period, but it isn’t the be-all and and-all of the movement.
Comment by Matthew — 8 July, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Matthew you still did not answer why you see a role for imperialism post occupation in Iraq.
Comment by Chris S — 8 July, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
#5 As far as I can see this conference is very far from the AWL who oppose the immediate withdrawal of troops.
While it is unlikely that the imperialists will give aid to Iraq after they are kicked out, I think it is entirely appropriate for the anti-war movements in the colonial centres of power to demand that their government make reparatation, and also to make the British public aware of the broad consequences of our government’s actions on Iraqi society.
People are still dying from the effects of agent Orange in Vietnam, while it is unlikely that America will ever compensate Vietnam for devestating the country and economy, this is no reason not to campaign and try and put pressure on an occupying state.
Comment by Adamski — 8 July, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
I would please, please ask you to cast aside your cynicism and suspicions.
How can we move past the silly argument that rears its head in every public meeting about Iraq ‘if we withdraw the troops there will be chaos’, (that sometimes come from sincere quarters) if we do not present out vision for a just peace?
The anti war movement is accused of not providing alternative vision, just protesting. Well, HVS was invited in the STWC World against War conference and spoke about this campaign and was applauded.
All I know is this campaign is close to the hearts of the Iraqis I know, including myself of course.
Whatever your views, be there, air them and take part in the debate. Do not sit at home and moan!
Comment by Tahrir — 9 July, 2008 @ 8:42 am
In response to ChrisS (”it is a fantasy world that these demands come from akin to the world the AWL live in”) …
While it could be argued that many of these demands are ‘unrealistic’ in the current political climate, the same can be said of pretty much any progressive campaign in the UK or USA at the moment. Adding your voice to a demand for positive change does not entail being under any illusions about the likelihood of success.
I can at least assure you that this event has no connection with the AWL. And from what I know of those involved whether as organisers or speakers, I think most would be offended by the very suggestion.
Comment by Alex — 9 July, 2008 @ 5:38 pm