Saddam's Genocide of the Kurds

Today was a harrowing day in Kurdistan, as we went to visit the Genocide Memorial in Halabja. This was the City that Saddam Hussein bombarded with mustard gas on 16 March 1988, as part of his plans to exterminate the Kurds (which had started in 1976).

Over 5,000 Kurds - men, women and children - died because of the chemical attack - and thousands more were injured and maimed for life.

After, we went to a special Memorial Garden with one of the survivors, which commemorated the dead.

The dignity of the Memorial Centre and Garden contrasted greatly with the barbarism of the Iraqi Baathists who had committed the genocide.

We came across another example of that barbarism as we later visited a former Saddam torture Chamber. The blood was still on the floor cells, the torture equipment still on the tables, the writings of the prisoners still on the walls. We were shown cells where Kurds were beaten, electrocuted and hung. One part had been called the 'party area' by the Baathist Guards. This was because it was by a women's Cell - whose inmates were used as raping meat by their tormentors. Outside there was an incinerator in which the Guards threw babies or foetuses to be burnt. This is not a place, I ever would like to see again.

There will be those who have strong views about the Iraq war. One thing is for sure: his removal, stopped the torture and genocide of the Iraqi Kurds. For that, all of us should say a blessing.

P.S. You can read more about the Halabja genocide here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halabja_poison_gas_attack

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Day Three in Kurdistan

An important day in Erbil today: here are a three important parts:

* In a meeting with the Kurdish Health Minister, he told our delegation that the Kurdish Government were not able to buy medicines direct from the drugs companies. They had to be purchased via an Iraqi Government sponsored Agent - who was a former Baathist (Saddamite). As one member of the delegation said, it is like asking the Israelis to buy drugs from ex-Nazis;

* A visit to a prison in Erbil: The pressures facing the Penal system in Kurdistan are enormous. Whilst the Prison Governor was reform minded, he showed us a cell - a medium size room, sardine-packed with over 120 male prisoners. Despite this, the prison did have reasonable rehabilitation facilities, including a computer room and clothes room, in which inmates were taught clothes-making/tailoring skills. The prison building - as you can see from the photograph - was a former railway station built by Britain in the early 19th Century.

* A meeting with the Governor of Erbil: After a long discussion as to the challenges facing Kurdistan, there was a melancholic moment. As we were leaving the building, the Governor showed us a large picture, containing a memorial photograph of a number of senior Kurdish political members: He told the story of how all had been murdered by an Al Qaeda suicide bomb in 2004. It was another reminder of the suffering of the Kurdish people.

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Kurdistan: Day Two

A Long journey today, to the city of Dohuk. Our first stop was a meeting with the Governor of the region. A Christian Priest, he spoke passionately about the rights of Christians in Kurdistan - and how - unlike in the rest of Iraq, they had equality before the law.

The next meeting was with the Womens Union to meet young Kurdish women, working to improve women's rights.

Although Kurdistan has female Ministers in Government, and women are very active in all walks of life, significant problems remain. Kurdistan is a deeply conservative society and old ways are still prevalent.

Polygamy was legislated against (de facto), just in 2008, and there are horrific levels of female genetic mutilation. Whilst women can initiate divorces - through the courts - they have few rights against their husbands.

Nevertheless, the Women's Union was a forward looking and campaigning organisation - a signpost to the future Kurdistan. Moreover - compared to other Islamic States, Kurdistan is more enlightened to its attitudes towards women,

Lunch followed - this time with the local Chamber of Commerce. Surprisingly, there were complaints that Britain is not pro-active enough when it comes to seeking commercial opportunities in Kurdistan. It was observed, that whilst the UK was one of the liberators of Kurdistan, it was the French, (opposed to the Iraq war), who were making the most of business that was on offer.

Back to Erbil (the capital city), a two and a half hour journey) to go to Salahdin University and meet a range of MPs from different ethnic groups. We listened to speeches from Turkmens, Christians, Assyrians (in the presence of the Trade Minister). One theme was common: compared to Iraq as a whole, in Kurdistan, they were freer and more equal than they had ever been. Free to practise their customs, heritage and religion and equal in the eyes of the law.

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Arriving in Kurdistan

I arrived in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq this afternoon, as part of a UK Parliamentary delegation (organised by the All-Party Kurdish Region Group).

Kurdistan is an independent State within Iraq and has its own Government. It achieved full independence in 1992 - after the first Gulf War (when Saddam invaded Kuwait). Despite a number of years of civil war - which ended in 1999, in part thanks to the efforts of American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright).
Since 1999, however, the State has made great advances in democratic development, educational achievement and economic success. Kurdistan has elections every four years, a Supreme Court in which the judges are picked by the President, but have to be approved by Parliament, and a free-press. The State is a secular Muslim nation, tolerant of other religious minorities - Christians in particular.

Incidentally, Kurdish MPs are elected on a PR List ballot. This is deemed to be unsatisfactory and is unpopular with the public. There is growing support for a First Past the Post/Constituency electoral system.

Tonight, I met with the Vice-Chancellor (and his senior staff) of the influential Salahdin University in Erbil (the Kurdistan capital). With 21,000 students, the University is at the forefront of developing the next generation of scientists and engineers.

It is going to be a very interesting few days.

P.S. You can read more about Kurdistan by clicking these weblinks:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdistan and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdistan_Regional_Government




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Blogging for the next few days

Its 02:00 am on Monday morning and I am on my way somewhere on a Parliamentary delegation. I don't know yet if I will be able to blog for the next few days.

If I can, I will be sure to let you know where I am.

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Some Favourite Pictures of 2010

With former Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion and Harlow young poets

In Conservative HQ campaigning with Harlow Tories

Dinner with friends from Exeter University

Meeting David Cameron with Linda Pailing and Coleen Morrison

Harlow Sheep at Attwaters Solicitors

Members Lobby in House of Commons

Outside Downing Street with Holy Cross School Children

 MP Pie fom Matching Tye

With volunteers from Harlow Foodbank

                    

 Meeting Apprentices at Harlow College

With Harlow Gymnast Club

                                      

With kids at Holy Cross School Fun Day

With Vanda at Gateway Christian Fellowship

Meeting Barak Obama's Step-Mother with Vanda

At Harlow Gymnastics Club

Playing some Bingo at Harlow Mecca Club