Civil Administration and Civil Society

Civil Administration and Civil Society In each province of the south, councils have been established at the provincial, municipality and local level, supported by a direct electoral process in many cases. In the case of Al Basrah province, the provincial council has instituted numerous sub-committees to oversee aspects of the council’s work. The Governors of the provinces are: Al Basrah: Judge Wael Abdul Latif (also a member of the Interim Governing Council); Al Muthanna: Mohamed Ali Abbas Al Hassani; Thi Qar: Sabri El Rumaiadh; Maysan: Riath Mahoud Hatab. In advance of the return to sovereignty on 1 July 2004, a number of ‘town hall’ meetings are being held throughout Iraq to discuss the democratic process and the role of Iraqis in determining their future. The first such meeting was successfully held in Basra in late December, attended by almost 200 people representing different communities in the province. This meeting, like subsequent ones, was televised nationally. Thi Qar’s meeting took place on 17 February, and a similar meeting is planned for Maysan province. Students at Basrah University have begun a series of regular debates on subjects such as federalism and elections, attracting large audiences. Large numbers of political parties have emerged since the collapse of the former regime, covering a wide range of political and religious opinions. In advance of the return to sovereignty, some political groups have begun to show increasing maturity, organising lawful and peaceful demonstrations, building cross-party relationships, and evacuating public buildings in order to allow refurbishment before their return to public use. However, smaller, often fringe parties, have yet to accept the principle of the rule of law in their dealings with the general public, the civil authorities or with one another. In late January, a two-day Southern Women Conference brought together around 200 women from southern Iraq for the first time. The participants discussed a range of issues, including participation in the political process, women’s rights and the role of women in the economy. CPA South is also supporting the production of ‘Women’s Echo’, a national newsletter on women’s issues produced by Iraqi women. To promote the role of the Iraqi police and Iraqi judiciary system, CPA is: delivering training programmes for Iraqi police officers; supporting the recognition of the courts and their operational systems; and working to improve prison conditions and management throughout the south. Return to CPA South About CPA South Essential Services Trade, Industry and Commerce