News update from Iraq

Women Seek Leadership Positions in Iraq
As the results of Iraq's parliamentary elections began to trickle in, one Washington-based group of Iraqi expatriates were more concerned with gender than with party or ethnic affiliation. "We want the recognition of women to be leaders, to be in the 'making decisions' positions," said Hanaa Edwar, an advocate for women's rights.
Read about it on
http://www.upi.com/InternationalIntelligence/view.php?StoryID=20060123-055826-6853r (Jan. 24. 2006)

Gold as the Payment for Temporary Marriages
A rise in the incidence of “temporary” marriages among Shi’ite Muslims in Iraq is causing concern among women’s rights activists.
“The poverty, especially for women who have lost their husbands in the years of war, is the main reason for them accepting such agreements,” said Salua Fatihi, head of two non-governmental women’s rights organizations in southern Iraq. “It’s an easy way to protect their children and put food on the table.”
Read about it on
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=51268&SelectRegion=Middle_East&SelectCountry=IRAQ (Jan 23, 2006)

Women’s Role in Islamic Countries is Critical
Women who have lived in a subordinate role in Islamic societies have the potential to speed both the economic and political process of these countries in a positive direction.
Read about it on
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0118/p09s02-cojh.html (Jan 18, 2006)

Iraqi Women’s Freedom in Jeopardy
Iraq’s civil courts are crucial for the preservation of women’s rights.
"Muslim women are going to suffer if the civil courts are completely abolished," said Annam Al-Soltany, a lawyer and a member of the Progressive Women's League, an Iraqi group lobbying for constitutional reforms benefiting women."
Read the whole story at www.newhousenews.com/archive/palmer011006.html
(Jan. 10, 2006)

Hussein’s Crimes against Humanity
The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies has placed on its website videos from inside Iraq of torture and murder, ordered by Saddam Hussein.
(Please note: Graphic material)
To view them, go to
http://www.defenddemocracy.org/about_FDD/about_FDD_show.htm

Iraqi Unity Sought by US
Iraq’s biggest Sunni political bloc committed itself to talk with Shi'ites and Kurds to form a government for national unity, but said its key demands, including changes to the constitution, have to be met. The United States is very eager to drive the political process in the direction of a stable agreement and wants the Kurds and majority Shi'ites, who dominated last month's elections, to form a government that includes minority Sunnis.
Read the whole story at www.kurd.org