Showing posts with label change list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label change list. Show all posts
August 11, 2009
August 9, 2009
Program for Change
Now that 25% of the Kurdish people have given us the right to represent them in parliament, they want to know how Gorran is going to proceed from here.
In Gorran head quarter, conferences, meetings and discussions are held every minute since the election. We are planning that Gorran shall continue to work on the basis of a modern and active model instead of the party system that political work is usually based on.
Gorran is not a political party in the old meaning of the word. The word "party" has in Kurdistan taken the meaning of cheating, thieving and injustice. We will not form a politicical party with party members and hierarchy of a politburo. We are an organisation, an association of people that work for the same goal. We will work according to our program which will be based on the political platform we presented for the elections.
We will work actively among people, with the people. Our offices will be open for anyone. We want people to see us who work for Gorran as people working for the program - for the benefit of the people, not as party members working for a party and for the benefit of party members only. When people go to vote in the next election, they will vote for the program, not for a party.
We called ourselves Listi Gorran, the Change List, for the elections, and now we are in fact lacking a name for our organisation. We still are the Gorran, we still work for change in our program, so maybe we will call the organisation Program for Change.
In Gorran head quarter, conferences, meetings and discussions are held every minute since the election. We are planning that Gorran shall continue to work on the basis of a modern and active model instead of the party system that political work is usually based on.
Gorran is not a political party in the old meaning of the word. The word "party" has in Kurdistan taken the meaning of cheating, thieving and injustice. We will not form a politicical party with party members and hierarchy of a politburo. We are an organisation, an association of people that work for the same goal. We will work according to our program which will be based on the political platform we presented for the elections.
We will work actively among people, with the people. Our offices will be open for anyone. We want people to see us who work for Gorran as people working for the program - for the benefit of the people, not as party members working for a party and for the benefit of party members only. When people go to vote in the next election, they will vote for the program, not for a party.
We called ourselves Listi Gorran, the Change List, for the elections, and now we are in fact lacking a name for our organisation. We still are the Gorran, we still work for change in our program, so maybe we will call the organisation Program for Change.
Political Platform of the Change List
The Change List is a political entity that consists of a group of people sharing a common political agenda, and through fair competition for power and free democratic elections, seeking the trust of the people and to represent them in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s Parliament as well as in other representative bodies throughout Iraq and Kurdistan region, with the aim of implementing the List’s agenda through government institutions. The objectives of the entity are summarised in the following themes:
On the political and legal arena:
• Redraft the Kurdistan Region’s draft constitution that through decentralised and devolved powers ensures more rights and safeguard freedoms within the framework of a parliamentary democracy;
• Support the rule of law and enhance the principle of separation of the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary authorities while consolidating the independence of the judiciary;
• Activate the accountability role of Parliament to ensure the effective monitoring of government performance and withdrawing confidence from government officials when necessary;
• Defining the influence of the political parties and limiting their activities as political organizations that commands no militias, private secret services or business monopolies; recognising that parties have the duty to form cabinets and execute their programs, but they have no right to monopolise public funds, abuse public offices for party political gains, or resort to bribery and corruption, nor do they have a right to intimidate or discriminate against the citizens;
• Enhance the political, administrative and community roles of women and the youth in all spheres of life;
• Enhance and reform the Security Organisations in a direction that serves the rule of law and prevents violations of Human Rights and refrain from partisanship and narrow political or local bias;
• Demarcate the geographical boundaries of the Kurdistan Region, define the authorities that lies between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, and respect the supreme authorities of the federal government, resolve the outstanding issues between the two sides concerning the rights of Kurdish people and the status of the disputed territories with regard to the historic facts and according to the relevant articles of the Iraqi Constitution;
• Combat fanaticism, terrorism and extremism, and outlaw any discrimination against citizens on the basis of religion, ethnicity, ideology, gender, political affiliation or social standing.
On economic and administrative reforms:
• Ensuring the transparent disclosure of the Kurdistan Region’s budget by identifying the sources and details of the funds as well as the way funds are allocated to various sectors and provinces;
• Revitalize the government efficiency through streamlining government institutions and harnessing information technology to ensure more active administration;
• Salvage the economy and protect public wealth from abuse and corruption. Encouraging investment and improving productivity in the agricultural sector, enhancing the industrial base and animal husbandry;
• Draw up strategic plans to reform and modernize Education and Health Services;
• Hone plans for strategic construction projects in housing, electricity supplies, roads, railways, oil, gas, water, sewerage, dams and bridges;
On social justice and human development:
• Take action to address the crisis of poverty and unemployment within the society allocating 5% of the Region’s budget to this goal;
• Invest in the new generation to develop their physical, intellectual and technical abilities. Invest the sports sector and create job opportunities for young people in the private, public and voluntary sectors;
• Establish equitable healthcare and social security and pension systems for the population and citizens working in the private sector, as well as those affected by wars or by social, political, economic and health problems;
• Maintain a fair distribution in the reconstruction and development of Kurdistan provinces. Address the problem of inferior services in rural areas, residential compounds and remote areas, with prioritising the areas that sustain damage or contain natural wealth;
• Introduce reforms to rectify the injustices occurred in the Salary Scale, pensions, allowances and privileges. Setting up a maximum limit for the special privileges enjoyed by top government officials and their entourage, with the aim to establish greater social justice;
• Combat all forms of physical and psychological violence and discrimination against children, women, individuals with special needs, the elderly, the disabled and the marginalized segments of the community.
• Provide job opportunities and conductive work environment for business people, professionals, freelancers, workers, farmers and other productive segments of the community;
On civil, cultural and environmental domains:
• Support and encourage cultural, artistic and free media activities. Protect and restore ancient monuments and historical sites;
• Develop a culture of free, critical thinking and promote freedom of the media so as to ensure free access to information, unhindered by legal obstacles and unaffected by partisanship or political pressures.
• Protect civil society organizations, trade unions and non-governmental organizations from undue pressures;
• Protect the environment and promote the culture of environmental preservation to help tackling the risks of pollution in Kurdistan Region as well as global warming as a universal crisis;
• Protect natural forests, trees and wild life; and expand the green areas. Revitalize and modernize the tourist sector.
On the political and legal arena:
• Redraft the Kurdistan Region’s draft constitution that through decentralised and devolved powers ensures more rights and safeguard freedoms within the framework of a parliamentary democracy;
• Support the rule of law and enhance the principle of separation of the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary authorities while consolidating the independence of the judiciary;
• Activate the accountability role of Parliament to ensure the effective monitoring of government performance and withdrawing confidence from government officials when necessary;
• Defining the influence of the political parties and limiting their activities as political organizations that commands no militias, private secret services or business monopolies; recognising that parties have the duty to form cabinets and execute their programs, but they have no right to monopolise public funds, abuse public offices for party political gains, or resort to bribery and corruption, nor do they have a right to intimidate or discriminate against the citizens;
• Enhance the political, administrative and community roles of women and the youth in all spheres of life;
• Enhance and reform the Security Organisations in a direction that serves the rule of law and prevents violations of Human Rights and refrain from partisanship and narrow political or local bias;
• Demarcate the geographical boundaries of the Kurdistan Region, define the authorities that lies between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, and respect the supreme authorities of the federal government, resolve the outstanding issues between the two sides concerning the rights of Kurdish people and the status of the disputed territories with regard to the historic facts and according to the relevant articles of the Iraqi Constitution;
• Combat fanaticism, terrorism and extremism, and outlaw any discrimination against citizens on the basis of religion, ethnicity, ideology, gender, political affiliation or social standing.
On economic and administrative reforms:
• Ensuring the transparent disclosure of the Kurdistan Region’s budget by identifying the sources and details of the funds as well as the way funds are allocated to various sectors and provinces;
• Revitalize the government efficiency through streamlining government institutions and harnessing information technology to ensure more active administration;
• Salvage the economy and protect public wealth from abuse and corruption. Encouraging investment and improving productivity in the agricultural sector, enhancing the industrial base and animal husbandry;
• Draw up strategic plans to reform and modernize Education and Health Services;
• Hone plans for strategic construction projects in housing, electricity supplies, roads, railways, oil, gas, water, sewerage, dams and bridges;
On social justice and human development:
• Take action to address the crisis of poverty and unemployment within the society allocating 5% of the Region’s budget to this goal;
• Invest in the new generation to develop their physical, intellectual and technical abilities. Invest the sports sector and create job opportunities for young people in the private, public and voluntary sectors;
• Establish equitable healthcare and social security and pension systems for the population and citizens working in the private sector, as well as those affected by wars or by social, political, economic and health problems;
• Maintain a fair distribution in the reconstruction and development of Kurdistan provinces. Address the problem of inferior services in rural areas, residential compounds and remote areas, with prioritising the areas that sustain damage or contain natural wealth;
• Introduce reforms to rectify the injustices occurred in the Salary Scale, pensions, allowances and privileges. Setting up a maximum limit for the special privileges enjoyed by top government officials and their entourage, with the aim to establish greater social justice;
• Combat all forms of physical and psychological violence and discrimination against children, women, individuals with special needs, the elderly, the disabled and the marginalized segments of the community.
• Provide job opportunities and conductive work environment for business people, professionals, freelancers, workers, farmers and other productive segments of the community;
On civil, cultural and environmental domains:
• Support and encourage cultural, artistic and free media activities. Protect and restore ancient monuments and historical sites;
• Develop a culture of free, critical thinking and promote freedom of the media so as to ensure free access to information, unhindered by legal obstacles and unaffected by partisanship or political pressures.
• Protect civil society organizations, trade unions and non-governmental organizations from undue pressures;
• Protect the environment and promote the culture of environmental preservation to help tackling the risks of pollution in Kurdistan Region as well as global warming as a universal crisis;
• Protect natural forests, trees and wild life; and expand the green areas. Revitalize and modernize the tourist sector.
August 1, 2009
Post-election discussions
I am now back in Zakho after being in Sulaymaniya this week after the election. Gorran, The Change List, have been busy the last couple of days in conferences discussing how to proceed now after the elections. We are discussing the parliament seats and our future work to bring about change in the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government and for the Kurdish people.
We are also discussing how to proceed with legal actions concerning the election fraud. We will not let this pass and have had our lawyers look into our options.
Furthermore, we are having talks with the 4PartyList (Sevice and Reform List) about forming a joint opposition in parliament. They can choose inclusion in government or staying in opposition. The governing parties, KDP/PUK, have made it clear that they will not tolerate any criticism of the government by joining parties.
We are also looking ahead to local elections within the upcoming Iraqi elections in about six months. These elections will have a more decisive influence on future developments of Gorran in the Behdinan area. In Zakho and Duhok we will work for making a difference, a change, for the Behdinan which have for too long been neglected by the KRG.
We are also discussing how to proceed with legal actions concerning the election fraud. We will not let this pass and have had our lawyers look into our options.
Furthermore, we are having talks with the 4PartyList (Sevice and Reform List) about forming a joint opposition in parliament. They can choose inclusion in government or staying in opposition. The governing parties, KDP/PUK, have made it clear that they will not tolerate any criticism of the government by joining parties.
We are also looking ahead to local elections within the upcoming Iraqi elections in about six months. These elections will have a more decisive influence on future developments of Gorran in the Behdinan area. In Zakho and Duhok we will work for making a difference, a change, for the Behdinan which have for too long been neglected by the KRG.
July 30, 2009
The Kurdish Election - a Triumph for Gorran
If anyone has won these elections, it is Gorran - the Change List. We are not an established political party, but an assembly of independent and neutral people who saw the need for change for the people of Kurdistan. We are a political organisation only two months old. And still we managed to get 25% of the votes in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Even though the governing parties have tried to hinder us in any way they could, we cracked their ruling power. We came through even though they have prevented us from campaigning by not letting us set up offices, hold meetings, set up flags and posters, or use media freely. Even though they have harassed, threatened, cheated, bribed, and used violence against us, we now are in the parliament to prevent any further misuse of power by the KDP and PUK.
Because we have the support of our people. These crimes against us and terrorism by the KDP/PUK, did not pass unnoticed by the people. If we had been given a fair, democratic and free election we would have won the bigger part of the votes. But instead of being the number one, we are the second biggest party in parliament. That is still a remarkable triumph for Gorran!
We will continue to fight for the democratic rights of our people and will take our complaints to court all the way to the Supreme Court of Iraq. We will do this even though we do not expect fair trials or independent judges. We will not let us be intimidated because we know we are doing the right thing.
I am asking all Gorran supporters to be happy for Gorran's achievement and to be proud over the people that relentlessly kept on working for your rights in Erbil and Dohuk even though their lives were at risk.
Even though the governing parties have tried to hinder us in any way they could, we cracked their ruling power. We came through even though they have prevented us from campaigning by not letting us set up offices, hold meetings, set up flags and posters, or use media freely. Even though they have harassed, threatened, cheated, bribed, and used violence against us, we now are in the parliament to prevent any further misuse of power by the KDP and PUK.
Because we have the support of our people. These crimes against us and terrorism by the KDP/PUK, did not pass unnoticed by the people. If we had been given a fair, democratic and free election we would have won the bigger part of the votes. But instead of being the number one, we are the second biggest party in parliament. That is still a remarkable triumph for Gorran!
We will continue to fight for the democratic rights of our people and will take our complaints to court all the way to the Supreme Court of Iraq. We will do this even though we do not expect fair trials or independent judges. We will not let us be intimidated because we know we are doing the right thing.
I am asking all Gorran supporters to be happy for Gorran's achievement and to be proud over the people that relentlessly kept on working for your rights in Erbil and Dohuk even though their lives were at risk.
July 29, 2009
A Statement from the Change List in reference to the tensions and complications of the night of 26/07/2009 in Erbil and Duhok:
It was with great anticipation the people of Kurdistan awaited the day of 25/07/2009 so that they could vote in a free and fair election which would determine the nature of the forthcoming parliament and presidency. We hoped that these elections would take the KRG out of the black list it was placed in after the elections of 2005. However, with great regret after 3pm on the day of the election the governing powers began election rigging in a systematic and widespread manner in the cities and surrounding areas of Erbil and Dohuk with the intention of preempting victory. This undemocratic step completely changed the result of the elections to benefit the governing powers.
From:© 2009, Assyrian International News Agency. http://www.aina.org/news/20090728062638.htm
On the day of the election at 9pm under the guise of celebrations the KDP, governmental, intelligence, and armed forces, attacked the offices of the Change List in the cities of Erbil and Dohuk. A proportion of them were looted and taken over, whilst the others were fired upon. This was most extreme in the city of Dohuk where KDP forces attacked the homes of Change List supporters (reformists), intimidating and harassing them. This included the residence of a candidate of the Change Gorran List (Abdul Wahid Yasin Saed) who at 4am 27/07/2009 for the safety of his family was forced to leave the city of Dohuk for Suleimaniyah. In addition to these acts in these two cities KNN offices were surrounded by armed forces who proceeded to fire gun-shots at the offices in attempt to intimidate, scare and provoke KNN staff.
Up until the writing of this message, the aforementioned party is ongoing in pressurizing; provoking the Change List and the other opposition groups, and in an attempt create a tense atmosphere and environment of fear in those two governorates.
We place the responsibility of those tensions on the President of the KRG, the government and the interior ministry whose role it is to protect the lives and freedoms of its citizens.
The Change List, through all lawful possible means of dialogue and negotiations has endeavored to maintain a peaceful environment as such we hold responsible the president of the KRG for any possible tensions and troubles which may occur in the region.
In this regard we call upon you to put necessary pressure on the governing powers of Kurdistan to mitigate the tensions that the KDP forces have created, and place the necessary pressure on the Independent High Electoral Commission in Iraq to exclude the fraudulent votes.
Note: The KDP have committed fraudulent acts in ten different forms, for which we have evidence and have filled official complaints.
The head of the Change List for the parliamentary elections in Kurdistan,
Nawshirwan Mustafa. 27/07/2009 [Translated from Kurdish to English].
July 28, 2009
Gorran from Behdinan left their homes due to death threats
Today Gorran (Change List) held a conference at Gorran headquarter in Sulaymaniya where we discussed recent events, election results and planned for the future.
We also talked to twentyfive of our people from the Behdinan area who have left their homes. They had all received death threats from KDP members and are afraid of being listed on their "death list."
These threats are now been reported to the police and we expect the justice system to deal with them. We have asked them all to return to their homes in Aqrah, Sersink, Khadish and Duhok and put their trust in the legal system to protect them. They have agreed to do that except for Abdul Wahad, parliamentary candidate for Gorran, whose house and family were attacked this sunday. Also Lazgin Zelman was not willing to go back in fear of those who have threatened him.
We also talked to twentyfive of our people from the Behdinan area who have left their homes. They had all received death threats from KDP members and are afraid of being listed on their "death list."
These threats are now been reported to the police and we expect the justice system to deal with them. We have asked them all to return to their homes in Aqrah, Sersink, Khadish and Duhok and put their trust in the legal system to protect them. They have agreed to do that except for Abdul Wahad, parliamentary candidate for Gorran, whose house and family were attacked this sunday. Also Lazgin Zelman was not willing to go back in fear of those who have threatened him.
July 26, 2009
Waiting for official results
While waiting for official results we can give you the preliminary results on participation ratio: For Kurdistan 78%. In the three provinces: Sulaymaniya 74.5%, Duhok 85.2% and Erbil 79%.
Preliminary counts on votes for Gorran (Change List) in Behdinan area: 14600 in Duhok province. Of these Zakho, with 115 000 registered voters, Gorran counts for 2605.
We are very disappointed of the results in Duhok governate, Behdinan area. We are collecting all complaints which are being sent to IHEC. We are then going to wait for IHEC to analyze these and also wait for official results of the polls. In my personal view, not speaking for Gorran, I belive that Gorran would have reached 65-75% if the election would have been executed free and in democratic order. This I say through experiencing this election from the inside and through seeing what I have seen.
We are happy for the preliminary results in Sulaymaniya which will be 54-60% giving Gorran 25-30 seats in parliament. Preliminary results for Kurdistan from KurdistanOnLine: 50% for the Kurdistani List, 28% for Gorran and 21% for the 4 Party List. We in the Change List are now in the position of making a change for Kurdistan.
Preliminary counts on votes for Gorran (Change List) in Behdinan area: 14600 in Duhok province. Of these Zakho, with 115 000 registered voters, Gorran counts for 2605.
We are very disappointed of the results in Duhok governate, Behdinan area. We are collecting all complaints which are being sent to IHEC. We are then going to wait for IHEC to analyze these and also wait for official results of the polls. In my personal view, not speaking for Gorran, I belive that Gorran would have reached 65-75% if the election would have been executed free and in democratic order. This I say through experiencing this election from the inside and through seeing what I have seen.
We are happy for the preliminary results in Sulaymaniya which will be 54-60% giving Gorran 25-30 seats in parliament. Preliminary results for Kurdistan from KurdistanOnLine: 50% for the Kurdistani List, 28% for Gorran and 21% for the 4 Party List. We in the Change List are now in the position of making a change for Kurdistan.
July 25, 2009
Cheating at polling stations
The Change List observers report foul play in several polling stations in Zakho. Our observer in Delal school in Room 2 observed the room supervisor accompany voters behind the curtains to "help" them to vote. One woman objected, but he said "but you cannot read and write so I will help you" and followed her behind the curtains despite her objections. We told this official that this is illegal and he said he is just helping the illiterate people. The observer were not allowed to go in and observe in room 1 at all. When we went to talk to the IHEC contact for this polling station, Delal Ismael Abdullah, she refused to give us the complaint form for reporting this incident to the IHEC.
From the polling station at Zin shool our observer reported that the room officials at the doors and the supervisors in the rooms urge people to vote for the Kurdistani List no.54.
From the polling stations at Jwan school and Zagruss school observers report seeing the same people vote several times and that others are turned back because they are not on the lists. Also from several polling stations observers notice that elder people accompany their young ones behind the curtains to "help" them vote.
We will file complaint on all incidents we see to the IHEC. We need to do this for the Kurdish people who deserve a fair election and in order to develop the democracy of Kurdistan. We were hoping to get the eyes of the world from international observers to help us, but here in Zakho they are absent.
From the polling station at Zin shool our observer reported that the room officials at the doors and the supervisors in the rooms urge people to vote for the Kurdistani List no.54.
From the polling stations at Jwan school and Zagruss school observers report seeing the same people vote several times and that others are turned back because they are not on the lists. Also from several polling stations observers notice that elder people accompany their young ones behind the curtains to "help" them vote.
We will file complaint on all incidents we see to the IHEC. We need to do this for the Kurdish people who deserve a fair election and in order to develop the democracy of Kurdistan. We were hoping to get the eyes of the world from international observers to help us, but here in Zakho they are absent.
July 24, 2009
Change List got 61.7% of the votes in Sulaymaniya
We have just heard the results of yesterdays voting of the security personnel, hospitals, prisons etc. in Sulaymaniya. The Change List - Gorran - received 61.7% of the votes. We have not yet heard results from the other districts. These results fill our hearts with optimism before the coming election day tomorrow.
We in the Change List in Zakho are prepared for the elections tomorrow. There will be observers in all the polling stations. We hope that the election will procede in a calm, respectful and democratic way. We hope this day will be a day full of joy for all the people of Kurdistan and that we will show the world that we are able to hold an election that is democratic and free.
We in the Change List in Zakho are prepared for the elections tomorrow. There will be observers in all the polling stations. We hope that the election will procede in a calm, respectful and democratic way. We hope this day will be a day full of joy for all the people of Kurdistan and that we will show the world that we are able to hold an election that is democratic and free.
July 23, 2009
Verbal assault on Gorran official by the illiterate general Osman Qasem
The Change List election poll observers have reported the voting today the 23 of July as being calm and with no signs of foul play. But there will be several complaints filed on voters being armed, carrying weapons openly. This has been reported from most of the polling stations.
We are also filing a complaint to the Independent High Electoral Commision (IHEC) on behalf of Dindar Yusef, the Change List official in Zakho. At 5.40 PM today when he was in the polling station at Raman school, general Osman Qasem, the head of peshmerga (Supa), Zakho, threatened him. He told him to "remain calm or else...". He answered "you be calm" and then Qasems guards showered him with curses as they passed him. Osman Qasem did not answer them to avoid a conflict. He also feared that they were armed, although he did not see any visible weapons.
The Change List in Kurdistan have filed hundreds of complaints on the Kurdistani List breaking the IHEC rules during the campaign period. Some of them have already been fined. In order to develop a democratic procedure for future elections we need to report all incidents and all breaching of rules. We will learn this way, and hopefully the attitudes of all will grow into the democratic way of thinking eventually.
We are also filing a complaint to the Independent High Electoral Commision (IHEC) on behalf of Dindar Yusef, the Change List official in Zakho. At 5.40 PM today when he was in the polling station at Raman school, general Osman Qasem, the head of peshmerga (Supa), Zakho, threatened him. He told him to "remain calm or else...". He answered "you be calm" and then Qasems guards showered him with curses as they passed him. Osman Qasem did not answer them to avoid a conflict. He also feared that they were armed, although he did not see any visible weapons.
The Change List in Kurdistan have filed hundreds of complaints on the Kurdistani List breaking the IHEC rules during the campaign period. Some of them have already been fined. In order to develop a democratic procedure for future elections we need to report all incidents and all breaching of rules. We will learn this way, and hopefully the attitudes of all will grow into the democratic way of thinking eventually.
Preparing for the elections
The last two days here in Zakho there has been a hugh increase in the number of people that are coming to us at the Change List office or are calling us by telephone, telling us they will vote for us. But most of them ask us not to mention their names to anybody. They are afraid to loose their paycheck from the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) if they find out that they renounced the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party). This is widespread because in Kurdistan 1 of 4 has a job with a wage from the KRG. Most of these people are poor and they are disappointed in the KRG for neglecting their needs. But there are also some that enthusiasticly offer to work with us openly.
Today we also held a conference and discussed how our election observers should be organized. We will have an observer in every polling station during the elections. We will supervise the registration, voting, counting of votes until they leave in seeled boxes to Baghdad where the IHEC (Independent High Electoral Commision) will recount the votes. We hope that the international independent observers are present in as many polling stations as possible.
Wednesday 22 of July was the last of the campaigning days and now the election starts. No campaigning is allowed from now until election day. Thursday 23 of July all personnel within security, the police, the fire department, hospitals etc. will vote so that they can maintain preparedness over the elections. Hopefully this means that the Asayish (Kurdish security police) will leave us alone this day or will they follow us around anyway...
Today we also held a conference and discussed how our election observers should be organized. We will have an observer in every polling station during the elections. We will supervise the registration, voting, counting of votes until they leave in seeled boxes to Baghdad where the IHEC (Independent High Electoral Commision) will recount the votes. We hope that the international independent observers are present in as many polling stations as possible.
Wednesday 22 of July was the last of the campaigning days and now the election starts. No campaigning is allowed from now until election day. Thursday 23 of July all personnel within security, the police, the fire department, hospitals etc. will vote so that they can maintain preparedness over the elections. Hopefully this means that the Asayish (Kurdish security police) will leave us alone this day or will they follow us around anyway...
July 20, 2009
Change on its way in Zakho
Today we in the Change List notice a different attitude in people. More people are taking contact with us and they appear less frightened.They have heard that hundreds of people are abandoning the Kurdistani List parties.It seems that the Kurdistani List tactics are turning on themselves. People do not like what they see and hear. People are showing interest in our program and they actively take contact with us instead of the other way around. And they find us though we do not have an office in Zakho. We have made our own homes to offices and there are no flags and posters on our houses.
The word is however that many fear that the last days of the election campaign will be violent. But we are telling all supporters to keep calm. We will not seek conflict and will not provoke the Kurdistani List supporters by envolving ourselves in discussions with them. People do not see this as weakness. They see that we are strong and that we will not be intimidated. They see that we are here not for ourselves but for them. We are here because our people need a change.
The word is however that many fear that the last days of the election campaign will be violent. But we are telling all supporters to keep calm. We will not seek conflict and will not provoke the Kurdistani List supporters by envolving ourselves in discussions with them. People do not see this as weakness. They see that we are strong and that we will not be intimidated. They see that we are here not for ourselves but for them. We are here because our people need a change.
Visit at a poor family in Zakho
During our door-to-door campaign visits we were not invited in by one of the families we had planned to visit. This man have always supported the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and all his family have been lojal to them. But surprisingly he then called Halima A. Othman, posted on the Change List as no.48, and asked if the Change List would like to come for a visit. So we went to talk to him. He lives with his wife and seven children in a small concrete house with a roof made of mud and with very poor hygienic sanitation facilities. He has been unemployed for several years and struggles hard to support his family. He has no direct connections with the KDP but have tried over and over again to get their help in finding a job. He has applied many times to get a post at the Peshmerga (Kurdish police) in Zakho. He tries to make a living by selling parts for guns but he cannot earn enough to support his family. He is very disappointed in the KRG (the Kurdish Regional Government) and in the KDP for not helping the people in Zakho.
The unemployment rate in Zakho were 4% in 2001 and was the lowest in the Dohuk governate (9%). There are no official statistics for today but we know that the unemployment rate in Zakho has tripled since then. The unemployment rate for the Dohuk governate today is 20%. This is due to the KRG neglecting the whole Behdinan area. There are no strategic plans for reform or social development programs. There are no employment agencies to help our people to find work and many of the job opportunities are filled with imported labour force from Georgia, Pakistan, Sudan, Ethiopia etc.
There are many poor families like this here in the Dohuk governate. And people are disappointed in the KRG. The man we visited said that he hoped now that the Change List really can make a change for families like his and said that he would lay his vote for us in the elections.
Halima A. Othman,
posted on the Change List as no.48
The unemployment rate in Zakho were 4% in 2001 and was the lowest in the Dohuk governate (9%). There are no official statistics for today but we know that the unemployment rate in Zakho has tripled since then. The unemployment rate for the Dohuk governate today is 20%. This is due to the KRG neglecting the whole Behdinan area. There are no strategic plans for reform or social development programs. There are no employment agencies to help our people to find work and many of the job opportunities are filled with imported labour force from Georgia, Pakistan, Sudan, Ethiopia etc.
There are many poor families like this here in the Dohuk governate. And people are disappointed in the KRG. The man we visited said that he hoped now that the Change List really can make a change for families like his and said that he would lay his vote for us in the elections.
Halima A. Othman,
posted on the Change List as no.48
July 19, 2009
The KDP/Kurdistani List fear the Change List
The Change List would like to respond to a rumour the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) spreads about us. Or actually they personally confront friends and relatives to our supporters here in Zakho and Dohuk with these statements of "truth" in the warnings and threats they personally present.
According to the KDP we all are agents for Iran, Syria and Turkey. And we are being paid by these countries through Nouri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister of Iraq.
There are no evidence of any of the Change List high officials having connections with these countries. Nashirwan Mustafa cannot travel anywhere, he cannot even step outside his door without being watched by the KDP. Actually we are all being watched by the KDP in evey step we take. We suspect that they want people to turn on us and hurt us or even kill us by trying to undermine the trust people have in us. Or that they will use these accusations as being confirmed when someone of us has been arrested or killed. And if we were paid by anyone, how come we do not own any buildings to set up our campaign offices everywhere? Why do not all posted on the Change List and officials drive luxury cars and live like kings?
According to the KDP is everything we say in public media slander and the only reason for us to do this is to harass or provoke them. Our posters or flags are put up only to taunt them. Obviously the Kurdistani List has no understanding of the democratic framework. They do not know that if these elections should ever be viewed as democratic all sides must be allowed to voice their opinions publicly and without interventions or obstructions. There should be an open dialogue and mutual respect for each other's right to have different opinions and have their own candidates and representatives. The people have the right to hear all sides and then decide independently. But the KDP is doing everything to prevent the Change List from being heard or seen. This attitude explain though why you never see any of our posters or flags anywhere in the Behdinan area. They have been torn down as soon as we have put them up. They must really sting their eyes...
The Kurdistani List are exposing their fear of the Change List. By all the dirty tricks they pull they reveal that they really see the Change List as a threat to them keeping the power. They are showing the people that they are desperate and that they do not have any real arguments to counter with when we accuse them of corruption, nepotism and cronyism. How can you defend that you own everything in Kurdistan when people do not have jobs and food on their table? How can you defend that you and your family use the KRG money as your own and the people does not have electricity, water, roads, schools, hospitals, medicin? No, you cannot. That explains their fear and their exasperated attitude towards the Change List.
Change List flags torn down
According to the KDP we all are agents for Iran, Syria and Turkey. And we are being paid by these countries through Nouri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister of Iraq.
There are no evidence of any of the Change List high officials having connections with these countries. Nashirwan Mustafa cannot travel anywhere, he cannot even step outside his door without being watched by the KDP. Actually we are all being watched by the KDP in evey step we take. We suspect that they want people to turn on us and hurt us or even kill us by trying to undermine the trust people have in us. Or that they will use these accusations as being confirmed when someone of us has been arrested or killed. And if we were paid by anyone, how come we do not own any buildings to set up our campaign offices everywhere? Why do not all posted on the Change List and officials drive luxury cars and live like kings?
According to the KDP is everything we say in public media slander and the only reason for us to do this is to harass or provoke them. Our posters or flags are put up only to taunt them. Obviously the Kurdistani List has no understanding of the democratic framework. They do not know that if these elections should ever be viewed as democratic all sides must be allowed to voice their opinions publicly and without interventions or obstructions. There should be an open dialogue and mutual respect for each other's right to have different opinions and have their own candidates and representatives. The people have the right to hear all sides and then decide independently. But the KDP is doing everything to prevent the Change List from being heard or seen. This attitude explain though why you never see any of our posters or flags anywhere in the Behdinan area. They have been torn down as soon as we have put them up. They must really sting their eyes...
The Kurdistani List are exposing their fear of the Change List. By all the dirty tricks they pull they reveal that they really see the Change List as a threat to them keeping the power. They are showing the people that they are desperate and that they do not have any real arguments to counter with when we accuse them of corruption, nepotism and cronyism. How can you defend that you own everything in Kurdistan when people do not have jobs and food on their table? How can you defend that you and your family use the KRG money as your own and the people does not have electricity, water, roads, schools, hospitals, medicin? No, you cannot. That explains their fear and their exasperated attitude towards the Change List.
Change List flags torn down
July 18, 2009
Open threats by KDP-leader in Sersink, Dohuk
Six of our supporters informed us today at the Change List that they had been openly threatened by Fahmi Selman, leader of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) section 18, Sersink. Three of them wanted us to tell the story and publish their names. Sobhi Hassan Mustafa, known as Sobhi Boti, Lazgin Selman and Mohammed Saleh from Khadish, Sersink, stated that Fahmi Selman told them to renounce their support for the Change List. If they did not, they should expect an unpleasent visit by the KDP the 26 of July. He also promised Sobhi Boti a "special treatment".
Sobhi, Lazgin and Mohammed declare that "no threats can make us stop supporting the Change List. We will continue to be envolved in the campaign". They were upset and indignant over the threats but wanted everyone to know that they would not give in for any threats.
Sobhi, Lazgin and Mohammed declare that "no threats can make us stop supporting the Change List. We will continue to be envolved in the campaign". They were upset and indignant over the threats but wanted everyone to know that they would not give in for any threats.
July 17, 2009
Low-key Change List campaigning
The Change List have no other option than to act low-key and continue to spread its message in a very quiet way. To receive a permit for a public meeting is out of the question, our posters are being torn down, and people are afraid to approach our campaign office. Halima A. Othman, Senior Architect Engineer, Duhok, listed on the Change List and Idris Sheranshi, campaign manager and coordinator for the Change List in Zakho, are trying to keep the election campaign going on despite the obstructions of the Kurdistani List.
Yesterday we spent the whole day paying villages and other areas around Zakho a visit and talked to people door-to-door.
People were mainly positive to our arguments but were reluctant to say anything about their voting preferences openly. The fear for consequences is widely spread among the people. All we could do is to tell people to follow their hearts and their conscience on election day.
As we see it here in the Behdinan areas is that although we have our difficulties in campaigning freely we are full of hope. The Kurdistani List are actually doing most of the campaigning for the Change List. They are showing the people that we are right in what we say about them.
Idris Sheranshi and Halima A. Othman
Idris Sheranshi
Yesterday we spent the whole day paying villages and other areas around Zakho a visit and talked to people door-to-door.
People were mainly positive to our arguments but were reluctant to say anything about their voting preferences openly. The fear for consequences is widely spread among the people. All we could do is to tell people to follow their hearts and their conscience on election day.
As we see it here in the Behdinan areas is that although we have our difficulties in campaigning freely we are full of hope. The Kurdistani List are actually doing most of the campaigning for the Change List. They are showing the people that we are right in what we say about them.
Idris Sheranshi and Halima A. Othman
Idris Sheranshi
July 16, 2009
More dirty tricks from Kurdistani List
The Kurdistani List will not stop harassing our supporters. One of them who works for us in Zakho appeared on KNN, the TV network of the Change List, voicing his opinions on the KRG's (Kurdish Regional Government) injust treatment of the Behdinan areas. His eldest brother was immediately called from Dohuk to Zakho to meet with The Kurdistani List. They told him that his brother because of his links with the Change List now stands alone. They wanted him to understand that his brother now was at risk for anything (violence, accidents, murder...). So if he had any influence on his brother he should ask him to renounce his support for the Change List.
The Kurdistani List also puts in strong effort to spread the word that it is risky on the election day to vote for the Change List. There will be hiddden cameras monitoring even though you vote behind curtains. Also it will be meaningless to vote for the Change List because the votes will not be counted anyway.
The Change List are trying to assure the people that their vote is not dangerous or meaningless. We put our trust in the independent observers and media that will be present during the election process. We hope that EU and USA will help the kurdish people experience a fair election. But we understand the fear of the Behdinan people. Threats, arrests without reason, no trials, torture, murder is what we have been used to see all our lives...
The Kurdistani List also puts in strong effort to spread the word that it is risky on the election day to vote for the Change List. There will be hiddden cameras monitoring even though you vote behind curtains. Also it will be meaningless to vote for the Change List because the votes will not be counted anyway.
The Change List are trying to assure the people that their vote is not dangerous or meaningless. We put our trust in the independent observers and media that will be present during the election process. We hope that EU and USA will help the kurdish people experience a fair election. But we understand the fear of the Behdinan people. Threats, arrests without reason, no trials, torture, murder is what we have been used to see all our lives...
July 15, 2009
Dirty tricks in the Kurdish Election
The Change List here in the Behdinan areas, Duhok and Zakho, are not experiencing that people are feeling the same kind of excitement over the election as in Sulemaniya. People here are afraid. The Change List will not accept that people get hurt or loose their livelihoods in showing us their support. We are forced to work in diffrent ways. Instead of normal election campaigning our work is focused on spreading our message in a more quiet way than rallies and direct konfrontation with the Kurdistani List supporters.
The Change List are also trying to avoid being provoked by the Kurdistani List. We see that the Kurdistani List are using every dirty trick in the book. Not only are they trying to threat or bribe our supporters, they also are following us around, "spying" on us to see what we are up to and who are speaking to us. Another dirty trick is to provoke us in to making mistakes. When tomato throwing children were sent out to attack our caravan of cars July 13 large numbers of police were also waiting there for us. We have heard from a reliable source that the police were waiting for us to be provoked by these children. They were hoping that some of us should have jumped out of our cars. And they would have had us arrested on the spot.
But people are also getting angry now. The provocations of the Kurdistani List are not invisible for the people on the streets. When the Kurdistani List are trying to stop the Change List from campaigning in every way they can, they probably are digging their own graves...
The Change List are also trying to avoid being provoked by the Kurdistani List. We see that the Kurdistani List are using every dirty trick in the book. Not only are they trying to threat or bribe our supporters, they also are following us around, "spying" on us to see what we are up to and who are speaking to us. Another dirty trick is to provoke us in to making mistakes. When tomato throwing children were sent out to attack our caravan of cars July 13 large numbers of police were also waiting there for us. We have heard from a reliable source that the police were waiting for us to be provoked by these children. They were hoping that some of us should have jumped out of our cars. And they would have had us arrested on the spot.
But people are also getting angry now. The provocations of the Kurdistani List are not invisible for the people on the streets. When the Kurdistani List are trying to stop the Change List from campaigning in every way they can, they probably are digging their own graves...
Disillusioned people in kurdish elections
We in the Change List want to plead to the people not to loose their hope. During our campaigning here in the Behdinan areas we notice the bitterness and disillusion of the people. It seems as some of them have lost all hope for the future. Many see the Kurdistan Regional Government as just a new form of dictatorship. People tell us at the Change List that it is useless to try to work for a change. Also people express that they are afraid to voice their opinions and that they are not willing to put their family at risk. They are afraid of consequences like loosing their jobs.
But we in the Change List know that our people in their hearts are brave and proud. We know that our people have come through all our hardships with our souls intact and kurdish spirit unchanged. The Change List would like to address the people with this humble plea: Please use your vote.Which list is to get your vote is just between you and God.
The Change List aim at going through our campaign and the election without violence and dirty tricks. We strive for mutual respect and dialogue with our opponents. Let us show the world that the kurdish people are able to hold an election which is open, transparent and democratic.
But we in the Change List know that our people in their hearts are brave and proud. We know that our people have come through all our hardships with our souls intact and kurdish spirit unchanged. The Change List would like to address the people with this humble plea: Please use your vote.Which list is to get your vote is just between you and God.
The Change List aim at going through our campaign and the election without violence and dirty tricks. We strive for mutual respect and dialogue with our opponents. Let us show the world that the kurdish people are able to hold an election which is open, transparent and democratic.
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