Two articles from the Institute for War & Peace Reporting highlight a growing language gap between Arabs and Kurds in Iraq.
“Arabic is officially the second language of Kurdistan and the primary language of Iraq,” Najeeba Mohammed writes. “Though studying Arabic is currently compulsory in… Read more
Archive: iraq
13th September 2009
A shocking report in the Observer by Afif Sarhan and Jason Burke:
Sitting on the floor, wearing traditional Islamic clothes and holding an old notebook, Abu Hamizi, 22, spends at least six hours a day searching internet chatrooms linked to gay websites. He is not looking for new friends, but for… Read more
29th August 2009
Sometime soon the Iraqi parliament will be asked to approve a new protection law for journalists (the draft was approved by the cabinet at the end of July).
I have pointed out before that "liberated" Iraq, far from becoming a model for the region, is rapidly acquiring the negative characteristics… Read more
18th August 2009
Major news organisations (CNN, Washington Post, BBC) missed a key point yesterday in their coverage of the Human Rights Watchreport on sexual orientation and gender in Iraq, reducing the issue to one of attacks on “gay” men.
As I explained here yesterday, and as HRW goes to some lengths to make… Read more
17th August 2009
Iraq is a dangerous place for many if not most of its citizens but a report issued today by Human Rights Watch looks at a spreading campaign of violence against one group in particular: men who are suspected of homosexual conduct or considered not “manly” enough.
Murders are committed with impunity… Read more
13th August 2009
The Vienna-based International Press Institute has issued a statement criticising the Iraqi government’s draft media law.
I haven’t seen the full text (anyone who has a copy please sent it to me) but from what has been reported it contains the usual statements about protecting journalist, freedom… Read more
4th August 2009
It’s probably reassuring for Iraq’s neighbours that the “democratic” Maliki government is gradually acquiring the characteristics of a bog-standard authoritarian regime.
Its latest move, reported in the New York Times, is to ban websites “deemed harmful to the public, to require internet cafes to… Read more
3rd August 2009
The London-based Women Solidarity for Unified and Independent Iraq has appealed to Arab governments to help save the lives of nine women believed to be facing imminent execution in Iraq.
Amnesty International says Iraq's presidential council has ratified the death sentences and a number the women… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
