The Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party issued the following statement on 3 February 2020:

Last Saturday, 1 February 2020, Mr. Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi was nominated, as a compromise candidate, to form the transitional government. In this regard, and in connection with the evolving developments and events, we state our position as follows:

First: The nomination was done in the same way, and not significantly different from that by which Mr. Adel Abdel-Mahdi and the previous governments came and was rejected by the masses of our people in the courageous October Uprising.

Second: It seems clear that this nomination came about with the blessing of the main ruling groups that are represented in the Parliament. It reflected the internal political balance and external influences, regionally and internationally, and intentionally omitted the large and most important actor in the current political situation, i.e. the protest squares and the masses of participants in the Uprising and their demands. This was soon reflected in the widespread rejection of the nomination, in protest squares and sit-ins.

Third: It is not surprising that the nomination has faced this rejection. It does not meet many of the criteria set by the popular masses of the Uprising, as well as those called for in the speeches of the Marjaiya. Foremost of these criteria is the independence of the candidate from the ruling political system: that he/she must not have been tried before, and also "not controversial". Mr. Allawi may not be controversial in the eyes of the ruling groups, but he is controversial in the eyes of the Uprising’s participants.  

Fourth: The main criterion that determines the stance towards any candidate for the post of prime minister at present is the extent of his/her merit and ability to accomplish the tasks assigned to the transitional government. The most important of these tasks is preparing for early free and fair elections at the earliest time, in addition to revealing the identity of those responsible for killing and suppressing the demonstrators and bringing them to justice, and acting on the biggest corruption files and sending the corrupt to court. Undertaking such tasks can only be done by a government that is formed away from the sectarian power-sharing quota system and the tutelage of the ruling blocs, that has the courage and ability to take decisions independently and in accordance with the supreme national interest, and enjoys the confidence and support of the masses of the Uprising.

Fifth: The ruling political blocs did not hide their concern about the Uprising and its legitimate demands that call for changing the failed political system holding the reins of power. They are fearful of the continued momentum of the Uprising, defying death and all forms of oppression imposed on it. Therefore, how can these political blocs support a prime minister who makes pledges to accomplish tasks that threaten their influence and spoils and subjects them to judicial accountability?

Sixth: The nomination of Mr. Allawi was not endorsed by any of the major ruling blocs. Rather, they were content to announce their approval or not to oppose him, while most of the Uprising’s participants rejected him. So, where will Mr. Allawi find the means and powers that enable him to implement the pledges contained in his speech of accepting the assignment?

Seventh: The country is going through a suffocating crisis for which the forces holding power bear the main responsibility. It is perpetuated by the devastating effects of their quota power-sharing policy, the brutal suppression of the Uprising, and the procrastination in implementing the legitimate demands of peaceful protesters. There is no real way out of this crisis other than comprehensive change and reform in the ruling system and the rulers through early elections, and other than adopting another approach to governance and administration based on the principles of citizenship, true democracy and social justice.

Eighth: One of the criteria for testing any new government is its stance towards constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and respect for human rights and protecting them from violations.

Ninth: We declare that we will deal with any new government in accordance with the aforementioned criteria and principles, and that our judgment of it will be based on its actions, not on its words and promises. We recall how many promises were lavished by previous PMs while the situation continued to deteriorate and the crises worsened.

Tenth: All the forces that have participated and contributed to the Uprising, and that have an interest in comprehensive change, are called upon today more than ever before to coordinate, unite, avoid taking decisions unilaterally and ensure the success of the Uprising and achieving its full objectives.

Eleven: The courageous Uprising and its glorious martyrs have turned a new page in the history of our country and raised hope once again in the possibility of change and in building a promising future for our people and all their constituents. We will, therefore, remain on the side of the Uprising and the legitimate issues and demands of our people. We will continue to support peaceful protests in all its forms, denouncing the repressive practices and attacks against them, regardless of their source and whoever is responsible for them.

Twelve: We must point out that violent practices and actions here and there by some of the elements connected to the Uprising do not serve it and harm its peaceful image and character.

Finally, the continuous momentum of the peaceful demonstrations and protests, expanding their ranks and consolidating them, is a condition that guarantees the implementation of the road map leading to the organisation of early, free and fair elections, which would correct the relationship between the people and the state's legislative and executive institutions, and restoring confidence in them.

We look forward, along with all our people, to providing security and stability throughout the country, and the return of normalcy to citizens. However, this will not be achieved by suppressing peaceful protests and circumventing the legitimate demands of the Uprising, but rather by speeding up their implementation to restore the citizens’ confidence in their homeland after being alienated from it due to the corrupt and those implementing unpatriotic agendas. Those who pin hopes on the glow of the glorious Uprising fading, or on aborting it, will be making a mistake.

Issued at a Press Conference held at its headquarters in Baghdad on 29th January 2020

Almost four months have passed since the eruption of the courageous popular October Uprising, and its basic demands remain unfulfilled. Procrastination and playing for time, along with premeditated killing and other repressive practices, is the policy pursued by the forces in power in order to end the broad peaceful popular movement rather than complying with its legitimate demands.

However, the recent developments have demonstrated that these hopes to end the protest movement are doomed to failure. The brave participants of the Uprising are becoming more coherent, determined and bold, despite the increasing numbers of martyrs and victims who fall in the confrontations and as a result of assassinations and direct targeting by the security forces and armed elements that are no longer unidentified!

The ruling forces are persisting with their intransigence, insistence on the same power-sharing quota system that produced the current deep crisis, and unwillingness to respond to popular demands. All this has led to a political impasse which, if it continues, poses grave dangers to the country. The most prominent of these dangers are the high levels of violence, the paralysis of state organs at the central and local levels, the decline of state authority in favor of outside players, as well as mounting human rights violations and breaches of international covenants by the Iraqi government.

This situation has been met with widespread popular rejection, while the voices of condemnation for the suppression of the Uprising have been rising worldwide from international human rights organisations, the United Nations, and finally the position expressed by a recent joint statement from ambassadors in Baghdad from 16 countries.

The continuation of the current crisis impacts negatively on the living conditions of our people, which had already deteriorated, and also deepens the gap between the people and the ruling political system. All of this has led to intensified popular anger which finds its expression in peaceful escalation by protesters in various provinces.

In the face of these dangers facing the country, which must be urgently averted, it is necessary to act as follows:

1. The President of the Republic must nominate, without delay, a popularly accepted personality to the post of Prime Minister, provided that he/she is granted exceptional support and powers to fulfil all the tasks and measures required, in preparation for early elections within a year.

Here, it must be noted that the nominations for the post of head of the government cannot be accepted while bloody repression of peaceful demonstrators continues, and without concrete measures to prosecute those responsible for attacking the sit-ins and killing protesters. This requires a clear and decisive position on the part of the Presidency.

2. To announce the results of investigations regarding the crimes committed against the demonstrators, and to prosecute those who stormed the sit-ins in squares, burned the tents of the protesters and fired live bullets at them.
3. To bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice to receive fair punishment.
4. To end the kidnapping and detention of peaceful protesters, which is carried out by security forces and groups acting outside the law.
5. To ensure that the security forces comply with their duty of providing protection for the peaceful protesters and their sit-ins.

Glory to the martyrs of the glorious Uprising .. Wishing speedy recovery for the wounded and injured.

29 January 2020

The Political Bureau of the Iraqi Communist Party issued the following statement on 25th January 2020:

The past few days have again witnessed the escalation of bloody repression by the security forces against the demonstrators in Baghdad and other provinces, which led to the death of more demonstrators and dozens injured.

In addition to repeatedly using live bullets, yesterday the security forces also attacked the sit-ins in squares in Baghdad and Basra and burned the protesters' tents, in a new attempt by the regime to end the peaceful protests by force.

Disregard and procrastination continue in dealing with the legitimate demands of the people. It is this stance which we have always warned against, and this is what has forced the protesters in recent days to take escalatory steps whilst maintaining a peaceful character.

The continuing acts of repression, intentional killings, assassinations, arrests, kidnappings, stifling and violating the freedom of expression will not help break the morale of the people and force them to return to their homes. Among recent victims of this campaign of repression was a Communist youth, the martyr Fahad al-Alyawi, who was treacherously killed yesterday on Muhammad al-Qasim Highway in Baghdad as he tried to reach his comrades who were protesting there, carrying food to them.

The authorities and the groups that are in charge of decision-making must spare the citizens further bloodshed by complying immediately with the will of the people and their demands to form a new government of competent and patriotic figures, away from the system of sectarian power-sharing and corruption. This government should provide the prerequisites for early elections, after enacting a fair election law and the formation of a truly independent Electoral Commission, away from power-sharing, corruption and those whose have the blood of the participants in the Uprising on their hands.

This is the solution, and the starting point on the path of salvation from another dark era which wasted 16 years of our people’s lives. 

We glorify the martyrs, and wish speedy recovery for the wounded and injured, and freedom for the detainees.

Το Πολιτικό Γραφείο του Ιρακινού Κομμουνιστικού Κόμματος εξέδωσε στις 8 Ιανουαρίου 2020 την ακόλουθη ανακοίνωση:

Για ακόμη μια φορά, η κυριαρχία της χώρας μας υπόκειται σε νέα παραβίαση και οι Ιρακινοί πολίτες μας είναι τρομοκρατημένοι, καθώς το Ιράν έχει εξαπολύσει πυραυλική επίθεση νωρίς το πρωινή κατά τις βάσεις στο Ain Al-Assad, Anbar και Harir και στο Erbil.

Αυτή η Ιρανική βομβαρδιστική επιχείρηση, καθώς και τα γεγονότα που προηγήθηκαν, εντείνουν τη δικαιολογημένη ανησυχία μεταξύ του λαού μας ότι το Ιράκ έχει στην πραγματικότητα καταστεί ένα πεδίο για τη σύγκρουση μεταξύ της Αμερικής και του Ιράν, με την κατάφωρη παραβίαση της κυριαρχίας του από όλα τα μέρη/πλευρές. Αυτός ο βομβαρδισμός υποδηλώνει και πάλι την απουσία ενός σημαντικού και συγκεκριμένου ρόλου για την Ιρακινή κυβέρνηση στο τερματισμό αυτών των καταφανών παραβιάσεων και τη διασφάλιση της προστασίας και ασφάλειας των Ιρακινών πολιτών.

Επιβεβαιώνουμε τη αποφασιστική μας στάση, υπογραμμίζοντας την αναγκαιότητα σεβασμού της κυριαρχίας της χώρας μας και του απαραβίαστου των εδαφών της, του εναέριου χώρου και των υδάτων της και την καταδίκη οποιασδήποτε παραβίασης στην οποία υπόκειται η χώρα μας από οποιασδήποτε πλευρά/μέρος. Είμαστε επίσης σταθερά εναντίον της μετατροπής της πατρίδας μας σε αρένα για το ξεκαθάρισμα λογαριασμών και την εκτέλεση επιχειρήσεων «οφθαλμός αντι οφθαλμού».

Οι τρέχουσες εξελίξεις καταδεικνύουν επίσης την απουσία σοβαρών προσπαθειών από την Ιρακινή κυβέρνηση και τις κυρίαρχες πολιτικές δυνάμεις για την σφυρηλάτηση μιας ολοκληρωμένης Ιρακινής εθνικής στάσης, κάτι που απορρέει από το υπέρτατο συμφέρον του λαού και της χώρας μας και τους προστατεύει από τη μάστιγα των διεθνών και περιφερειακών συγκρούσεων. Μια τέτοια στάση θα πρέπει να καταβάλλει προσπάθειες για την αποκλιμάκωση και επίλυση αυτών των συγκρούσεων με ειρηνικά και διπλωματικά μέσα, με το σεβασμό του διεθνές δίκαιο και κανόνων και την εξασφάλιση της ειρήνης και της ασφάλειας των λαών.

Όλα τα μέρη/πλευρές καλούνται να επιδείξουν συγκράτηση, σύνεση και σοφία και να αποτρέψουν τον λαό, τη νεολαία και τον πλούτο μας να τροφοδοτούν έναν πόλεμο με τον οποίο ο λαός μας δεν έχει απολύτως τίποτε να κερδίσει. Οι επιλογές του λαού μας θα πρέπει να γίνονται σεβαστές, να είναι ο αφέντης της δικής του μοίρας και με την ανεξάρτητη λήψη αποφάσεων του επι εθνικών θεμάτων, μακριά από εξωτερικές πιέσεις, απειλές και επεμβάσεις στις εσωτερικές του υποθέσεις.

Μπροστά στους αυξανόμενους κινδύνους που πηγάζουν από τις πρόσφατες εξελίξεις, οι οποίες συνιστούν μια μεγαλύτερη απειλή για την προστασία και την ασφάλεια του λαού μας και την ανάγκη να μπορέσει η χώρα μας να διατηρήσει την εθνική κυριαρχία και την ανεξαρτησία της στην Ιρακινή λήψη αποφάσεων, είναι απαραίτητο όπως ενταθούν σοβαρές εθνικές προσπάθειες που να αποσκοπούν στην ενδυνάμωση των στρατιωτικών θεσμών του κράτους, επιτρέποντάς τους να εκπληρώσουν το ρόλο τους σύμφωνα με το Σύνταγμα και να δημιουργήσουν τις κατάλληλες προϋποθέσεις για τον τερματισμό της ξένης στρατιωτικής παρουσίας στα εδάφη μας.

Ο λαός μας υπέφερε πολύ από τους πολέμους και τις κυρώσεις, καθώς και από την εξουσία των τυράννων και των δικτατορών, προσδοκά να μην επιστρέψουν εκείνες τις ημέρες γεμάτες από τραγωδίες και καταστροφές. Θέλει να χτίσει τη ζωή του μακριά από τη βία, το μίσος, τη διαφθορά και το σεκταριστικό σύστημα διαμοίρασμα εξουσιών, μέσα σε συνθήκες ειρήνης, ασφάλειας, γαλήνης, δικαιοσύνης, πραγματικής δημοκρατίας και σεβασμού των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων και πάνω σε σχέσεις που να βασίζονται στην ισότητα με όλες τις γειτονικές χώρες και τον κόσμο.