Women’s liberation newspaper interview with khayal Ibrahim on the Iraqi constitution draft

 

WL: In the current situation in iraq, the conflict on constitution is hot and different political currents want to fit their policy and measures on it. How do you see this process? Do you think passing the constitution solve different problems the country face?

 

Khayal Ibrahim: In my view this situation points to a conflict of interests between the different factions and political parties. This conflict has nothing to do with the interest of the people of Iraq. For example, in this conflict between these tribal and religious factions there is no representation of the interests of women nor the workers or toilers of Iraq. It is obvious that the institution they are quarrelling about is sectarian and Islamic. The proposed constitution has been designed to serve the interest of the ruling class because it wants to maintain that the society in Iraq is Islamic and that Islam is the main source of legislation. This is truly against the interests of the people as Islam will establish Islamic Shari’a which discriminates against millions of women and deprive them of their basic human rights. Also this constitution was designed to introduce federalism which is a form of governance designed to fulfill the needs of Islamic and nationalist’s desires to segregate Iraq into cantons and conflicting regions. This is dangerous on the future of the Iraqi people.

 

WL: What are the effects of this constitution on the status of women?

 

Khayal Ibrahim: A constitution representing Iraq as an Islamic and Arab nation with Islam as the “main” source of legislation would be anti-women in every aspect. In fact women’s rights are not even listed on their agenda. By using Islam and nationalism and tribalism they want to keep women away from political sphere. They want to maintain women discriminated against and locked up. The problem against women in my view is the role they give to Islam and its Shari’a which we all know how reactionary and anti women it is. It is enough for us to look at the experiences of millions of women in Iran and Afghanistan for us to realize that any Islamic constitution would be a disaster on the women. In Iraq the Islamists and tribalists are working hard to suppress the people. They want to suppress women to maintain the most reactionary form of rule.

 

WL: What are the fundamental demands of women’s movement? What kind of government is demanded by women?

 

Khayal Ibrahim: Iraqi women are known to be egalitarian and liberated. It was clear when the previous Governing Council tried to pass a resolution to change the civil family law into Shari’a one, large sectors of women in Iraq protested against it. This was the resolution 137. The Governing Council with its dominating Islamic elements was forced to repeal that resolution. This was a victory for women and all the people. Iraqi women demand a secular society and government where women can be guaranteed full equality with men in all aspects. The Iraqi women movement is secular and it wants to stand up for its rights and fight the Islamic and nationalists and tribal reactionary trends. These trends want to put the women of Iraq down and consider them half humans. The liberating women’s movement is working to make sure that the attempts of Islamists and nationalists fail.

 

WL: How much the secular and equality movement in Iraq is powerful? Is this movement can stand against this situation and do not let to impose the Islamic and religious rule of the country?

 

Khayal Ibrahim: The secular and equality movement need to strengthen its ranks against the Islamic and nationalist movement. This however needs a change of the situation. In general Iraqi people are secular even if they were pushed by the US war and by the US-installed government to adopt Islam or tribalism. It is important for the world to know that Iraqi people want secularism and equality, unlike what this government is trying to promote. This government, as I said, does not represent the wishes and aspirations of the Iraqi people. It is obvious to all, that with the support of the US and its military power they try to suppress the progressive movement and kill the wishes of millions of women and workers. They will do that by imposing Islam on them. The problem is that people are living in a very dangerous situation in which they can barely survive with the terrorism coming toward them from all directions. It is very important that we work to end the dark scenario in Iraq. I am sure that the secular movement would be much stronger and able to face these marginal and reactionary trends head on. For the time being we should work to strengthen the secular and egalitarian movement and struggle against those trends wishing to humiliate women and pull the society back to the middle ages. I am hopeful that the secular movement will win.