H. Res. 383
In the House of Representatives, U.S., 
July 27, 2005.
Whereas the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq systemati-
cally violated the human rights and fundamental free-
doms of the Iraqi people; 
Whereas on April 9, 2003, United States and coalition forces 
brought an end to the regime of Saddam Hussein; 
Whereas on June 28, 2004, an Iraqi interim government was 
sworn in after sovereignty was restored; 
Whereas in Iraq’s January 2005 parliamentary elections, 
more than 2,000 women ran for office and currently 31 
percent of the seats in Iraq’s National Assembly are oc-
cupied by women; 
Whereas women lead the Iraqi ministries of Displacement 
and Migration, Telecommunications, Municipalities and 
Public Works, Environment, Science and Technology, 
and Women’s Affairs; 
Whereas United States Government-sponsored programs are 
helping Iraqi women develop in multiple areas from lit-
eracy, computer and vocational training, to human rights 
education and election training; 
Whereas through grants funded by the United States Govern-
ment’s Iraqi Women’s Democracy Initiative, nongovern-
mental organizations are providing training in political
•HRES 383 EH 
leadership, 
communications, 
coalition-building 
skills, 
voter education, constitution drafting, legal reform, and 
the legislative process; 
Whereas a 275-member Transitional National Assembly, 
which is charged with the responsibility of drafting a new 
constitution, was elected to serve as Iraq’s national legis-
lature for a transition period; 
Whereas Article 12 of Iraq’s Transitional Administrative Law 
states that ‘‘[a]ll Iraqis [are] equal in their rights with-
out regard to gender * * * and they are equal before the 
law’’; 
Whereas Article 12 of the Transitional Administrative Law 
further states that ‘‘[d]iscrimination against an Iraqi cit-
izen on the basis of his gender * * * is prohibited’’; 
Whereas on May 10, 2005, Iraq’s National Assembly ap-
pointed a 55-member committee, composed of Assembly 
members, to begin drafting a permanent constitution for 
Iraq; 
Whereas in visits with legislators and officials of the Govern-
ment of the United States, Iraqi women have raised per-
ceived limitations on their rights in a current draft of the 
Iraqi constitution; 
Whereas the central principles of a true democracy, ‘‘liberty 
and justice for all’’, ‘‘equal justice under law’’, and ‘‘gov-
ernment of the people, by the people and for the people’’ 
apply equally to women; 
Whereas, in the words of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day 
O’Connor: ‘‘[s]ociety as a whole benefits immeasurably 
from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or 
gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, re-
•HRES 383 EH 
sponsibility, advancement and remuneration based on 
ability’’; 
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the com-
mitment and dedication of the United States to ensure 
that the full rights of women are granted in the Iraqi 
constitution; 
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the need to 
affirm the spirit and free the energies of women in Iraq 
who have spent countless hours, years, and lifetimes 
working for the basic human right of equal constitutional 
protection; and 
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the risks 
Iraqi women have faced in working for the future of their 
country and admire their courageous commitment to de-
mocracy: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) commends United States and coalition forces in 
liberating the Iraqi people from the repressive regime of 
Saddam Hussein and their ongoing efforts in support of 
the freedom and stability of Iraq; 
(2) recognizes the progress achieved by the Iraqi 
people toward the establishment of a representative 
democratic government; 
(3) recognizes the importance of ensuring women in 
Iraq have equal rights under the law and in society; 
(4) recognizes the commitment and dedication of 
the Administration to ensuring the full rights of women 
are granted in the Iraqi constitution;
•HRES 383 EH 
(5) strongly encourages Iraq’s Transitional National 
Assembly to adopt a constitution that grants women 
equal rights under the law and to work to protect such 
rights; and 
(6) pledges to support the efforts of Iraqi women to 
fully participate in a democratic Iraq. 
Attest:
Clerk.