natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Without minimising the fact that in certain areas (especially in Sunni areas South and West of Baghdad) polling stations remained closed or deserted, it seems that, according to the 179 international observers on the ground and to the Independent Electoral Commission, the 275 Members (out of 7000 candidates) of the Transitional National Assembly were elected in a free and fair manner, as much as this was possible under the difficult above-mentioned circumstances and bearing in mind the serious security problems in important parts of the country.
Without minimising the fact that in certain areas (especially in Sunni areas South and West of Baghdad) polling stations remained closed or deserted, it seems that, according to the 179 international observers on the ground and to the Independent Electoral Commission, the 275 Members (out of 7000 candidates) of the Transitional National Assembly were elected in a free and fair manner, as much as this was possible under the difficult above-mentioned circumstances and bearing in mind the serious security problems in important parts of the country.
The final results, announced two weeks after election day, reflect the clear victory of the clerical Shia list lead by religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani (48% of the votes), followed by the Kurdish parties (26%).
The final results, announced two weeks after election day, reflect the clear victory of the clerical Shia list lead by religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani (48% of the votes), followed by the Kurdish parties (26%).
The alliance list (non clerical Shia list) lead by interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi reached 14% of the votes and the Sunni list casted less than 2%.
The alliance list (non clerical Shia list) lead by interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi reached 14% of the votes and the Sunni list casted less than 2%.
The above-mentioned reconciliation process is more than ever a necessity.
The above-mentioned reconciliation process is more than ever a necessity.
The election schedule for the future includes two important events:
The election schedule for the future includes two important events:
- 15 October 2005: Possible referendum on constitution
- 15 October 2005: Possible referendum on constitution
- 15 December 2005: General elections for government
- 15 December 2005: General elections for government
The international community will have the duty to support the elected national assembly in monitoring the processes leading to these events.
The international community will have the duty to support the elected national assembly in monitoring the processes leading to these events.
Moreover, it will have to offer its contribution -through its expertise- in order to overcome the organisational shortcomings that have emerged during the January elections.
Moreover, it will have to offer its contribution -through its expertise- in order to overcome the organisational shortcomings that have emerged during the January elections.
Broader issues like the redrafting of the electoral law could also gain from the experience that various international bodies would be willing to share.
Broader issues like the redrafting of the electoral law could also gain from the experience that various international bodies would be willing to share.
As Election Day clearly shows, elections can in no way be considered as an end in itself.
As Election Day clearly shows, elections can in no way be considered as an end in itself.
The most urgent task now, both for the Iraqi government and for the international community, is to avoid that the already unstable political situation in the country transforms into serious civil unrest, which would clearly undermine any future possibility of democratic promotion and consolidation.
The most urgent task now, both for the Iraqi government and for the international community, is to avoid that the already unstable political situation in the country transforms into serious civil unrest, which would clearly undermine any future possibility of democratic promotion and consolidation.
EU Electoral Observation Mission
D. EU Electoral Observation Mission
It is a pity that, given the security situation, the EU could not organise a significant electoral observation mission on the ground, as this is usually the case for important elections.
It is a pity that, given the security situation, the EU could not organise a significant electoral observation mission on the ground, as this is usually the case for important elections.
The EU, and especially the European Commission, should make all possible efforts to have a credible number of EU observers on the ground to observe the December 2005 elections, preceded by a significant effort in financing electoral assistance.
The EU, and especially the European Commission, should make all possible efforts to have a credible number of EU observers on the ground to observe the December 2005 elections, preceded by a significant effort in financing electoral assistance.
The European Parliament should seriously consider to complement such EU election observation mission by an EP delegation, and seriously consider this option even in the absence of a broader EU mission.
The European Parliament should seriously consider to complement such EU election observation mission by an EP delegation, and seriously consider this option even in the absence of a broader EU mission.
Facing the security issue
Facing the security issue
As the holding of recent elections has shown, security remains the key-factor and the necessary precondition when dealing with the implementation of any single policy.
As the holding of recent elections has shown, security remains the key-factor and the necessary precondition when dealing with the implementation of any single policy.
The establishment of a satisfactory and reliable climate and feeling of security in the country and among the Iraqi population is therefore a fundamental forestep to any type of undertaking.
The establishment of a satisfactory and reliable climate and feeling of security in the country and among the Iraqi population is therefore a fundamental forestep to any type of undertaking.
A greater commitment of the United Nations in the political stabilisation process is necessary in that respect; monitoring and follow-up should be foreseen as well from the start.
A greater commitment of the United Nations in the political stabilisation process is necessary in that respect; monitoring and follow-up should be foreseen as well from the start.
What should reconstruction entail?
What should reconstruction entail?
The issue at stake is the reshaping of a whole society that was dismantled by war, taking into account all aspects of social life, and through a strategy of setting priorities together with the Iraqi authorities.
The issue at stake is the reshaping of a whole society that was dismantled by war, taking into account all aspects of social life, and through a strategy of setting priorities together with the Iraqi authorities.
The EU Assistance Programme 2005 sets out the strategy for the Community contribution to reconstruction in Iraq covering the activities to be undertaken from a total budgetary allocation of €200 million under Heading IV, including the involvement of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights programme.
The EU Assistance Programme 2005 sets out the strategy for the Community contribution to reconstruction in Iraq covering the activities to be undertaken from a total budgetary allocation of €200 million under Heading IV, including the involvement of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights programme.
Moreover, the National Development Strategy (2005-2007) developed by the Interim Government already provides a useful contribution to a response to the identified needs.
Moreover, the National Development Strategy (2005-2007) developed by the Interim Government already provides a useful contribution to a response to the identified needs.
The EU financial assistance to Iraq shall aim at the following objectives:
The EU financial assistance to Iraq shall aim at the following objectives:
a)- On the political front: the establishment of conditions allowing the true respect of universal human right standards, including the protection of minorities; the establishment of an efficient judiciary apparatus and the consolidation of the rule of law, in order to fight impunity and to prosecute in fairness and equity all those responsible for violations of human rights in the country;
a)- On the political front: the establishment of conditions allowing the true respect of universal human right standards, including the protection of minorities; the establishment of an efficient judiciary apparatus and the consolidation of the rule of law, in order to fight impunity and to prosecute in fairness and equity all those responsible for violations of human rights in the country;
b)- On the economic front: move from a centralised oil based war economy to a diversified post conflict peace economy based on a modern and performing but natural agriculture, services and industry, in adequation with the needs and wishes expressed by the Iraqi society;
b)- On the economic front: move from a centralised oil based war economy to a diversified post conflict peace economy based on a modern and performing but natural agriculture, services and industry, in adequation with the needs and wishes expressed by the Iraqi society;
c)- On the social front: reduce unemployment, poverty and the lack of economic opportunities in order to eliminate main sources of social tension and restore prosperity, whose absence is, in a naturally rich country like Iraq, against all logic;
c)- On the social front: reduce unemployment, poverty and the lack of economic opportunities in order to eliminate main sources of social tension and restore prosperity, whose absence is, in a naturally rich country like Iraq, against all logic;
d)- On the cultural front: fighting illiteracy, contribute to the training of various professional sectors of the Iraqi society, specific programmes aimed at women;
d)- On the cultural front: fighting illiteracy, contribute to the training of various professional sectors of the Iraqi society, specific programmes aimed at women;
e)- On the environmental front: international standards should be implemented from start in the reconstruction process;
e)- On the environmental front: international standards should be implemented from start in the reconstruction process;
The key challenge, however, remains on the institutional front , i.e. the establishment and consolidation of effective democratic institutions and the rule of law, as well as putting an end to insecurity in the country.
The key challenge, however, remains on the institutional front , i.e. the establishment and consolidation of effective democratic institutions and the rule of law, as well as putting an end to insecurity in the country.
The international dimension of the Iraqi future
The international dimension of the Iraqi future
The effective multilateralisation of the political process needs to be rethought in the light of a renewed transatlantic partnership on crisis management, as shared involvement does not go without shared responsibility and leadership.
The effective multilateralisation of the political process needs to be rethought in the light of a renewed transatlantic partnership on crisis management, as shared involvement does not go without shared responsibility and leadership.
EU policy towards Iraq should not be disconnected from the various EU policies already in place in the broader regional environment, and most notably the Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean and the Middle East launched at the European Council in June 2004 and which will be reviewed by the Euromed Council of Ministers later in May this year; Iraq should also become a consistent part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in the framework of the Euromed institutions and policy-making.
EU policy towards Iraq should not be disconnected from the various EU policies already in place in the broader regional environment, and most notably the Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean and the Middle East launched at the European Council in June 2004 and which will be reviewed by the Euromed Council of Ministers later in May this year; Iraq should also become a consistent part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in the framework of the Euromed institutions and policy-making.
The EU should consider to be a priority the strengthening of its relations with the Arab world in general and with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and other neighbouring countries of Iraq, mainly Syria, Iran and Turkey.
The EU should consider to be a priority the strengthening of its relations with the Arab world in general and with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and other neighbouring countries of Iraq, mainly Syria, Iran and Turkey.
Reconstruction should not be viewed as a process limited to mere logistics and engineering.
Reconstruction should not be viewed as a process limited to mere logistics and engineering.
There is indeed an absolute necessity to remedy first to the failure of the United States and its allies to understand the dynamics of Iraqi society ; the EU and its member states cannot ignore the importance of the transition process in Iraq and its impact on both one of their neighbouring regions and on international politics in general.
There is indeed an absolute necessity to remedy first to the failure of the United States and its allies to understand the dynamics of Iraqi society ; the EU and its member states cannot ignore the importance of the transition process in Iraq and its impact on both one of their neighbouring regions and on international politics in general.
Therefore, the priorities are:
Therefore, the priorities are:
-Ensure a stable transition process that would help the integration of all significant groups and prevent the re-emergence of a repressive authoritarian regime;
-Ensure a stable transition process that would help the integration of all significant groups and prevent the re-emergence of a repressive authoritarian regime;
-Preserve Iraq's unity while encouraging the establishment of a geographically decentralised government and participatory political system; -Foster the reconstruction of Iraqi civil society by supporting non-governmental organisations and offering training in democratisation, human rights, religious tolerance and civil conflict management;
-Preserve Iraq's unity while encouraging the establishment of a geographically decentralised government and participatory political system; -Foster the reconstruction of Iraqi civil society by supporting non-governmental organisations and offering training in democratisation, human rights, religious tolerance and civil conflict management;
Specific action to be taken by the European Union and specifically by the European Parliament: organisational and policy actions
Specific action to be taken by the European Union and specifically by the European Parliament: organisational and policy actions
Given its front-line legitimacy in democratic matters as the only directly elected institution of the EU, the EP could aim at the following objectives:
Given its front-line legitimacy in democratic matters as the only directly elected institution of the EU, the EP could aim at the following objectives:
-The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament should call for the creation of an ad hoc delegation for relations with the Iraqi interim Parliament in order to closely accompany the future evolution of the political transition (drafting of constitutional implementation of announced measures, preparation and taking place of the October referendum) and to prepare a possible electoral observation mission of the EP to Iraq in December 2005; this would be the forerunner of the creation -on the medium-term- of a permanent delegation for relations with Iraq;
-The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament should call for the creation of an ad hoc delegation for relations with the Iraqi interim Parliament in order to closely accompany the future evolution of the political transition (drafting of constitutional implementation of announced measures, preparation and taking place of the October referendum) and to prepare a possible electoral observation mission of the EP to Iraq in December 2005; this would be the forerunner of the creation -on the medium-term- of a permanent delegation for relations with Iraq;
-Get directly involved in the training of new Iraqi parliamentarians through the fostering of assistants' exchanges or even by welcoming observers on a short-term basis;
-Get directly involved in the training of new Iraqi parliamentarians through the fostering of assistants' exchanges or even by welcoming observers on a short-term basis;
-Recalling that the EP hosted the Convention leading to the European Constitutional Treaty, consider the possibility of hosting and organising preparatory/academic events linked to the drafting of the new Iraqi Constitution;
-Recalling that the EP hosted the Convention leading to the European Constitutional Treaty, consider the possibility of hosting and organising preparatory/academic events linked to the drafting of the new Iraqi Constitution;
-Reactivate the parliamentary dimension of the new Iraqi "Social Contract" by fostering a triangular dialogue between the Iraqi Parliament, the European parliament and the US Congress in the framework of an extended TLD;
-Reactivate the parliamentary dimension of the new Iraqi "Social Contract" by fostering a triangular dialogue between the Iraqi Parliament, the European parliament and the US Congress in the framework of an extended TLD;
-Encourage the EC to establish a delegation in Baghdad as soon as possible and foresee the necessary means for that purpose;
-Encourage the EC to establish a delegation in Baghdad as soon as possible and foresee the necessary means for that purpose;
Financing of EU policies in Iraq and EU strategy for action
Financing of EU policies in Iraq and EU strategy for action
Although the EP welcomes existing financial commitments, it is necessary to insist on the fact that -because of limited resources and financial deficiencies in heading 4- there is a constant difficulty in reconciling the traditional priorities of the Union's external action with a large number of new budget responsibilities resulting from crisis situation, among which the stabilisation and reconstruction of Iraq.
Although the EP welcomes existing financial commitments, it is necessary to insist on the fact that -because of limited resources and financial deficiencies in heading 4- there is a constant difficulty in reconciling the traditional priorities of the Union's external action with a large number of new budget responsibilities resulting from crisis situation, among which the stabilisation and reconstruction of Iraq.
This should be resolved more satisfactorily in the longer term, possibly by using the opportunity of the ongoing negotiations on the new financial instruments as well as the current redefining of EU external action instruments.
This should be resolved more satisfactorily in the longer term, possibly by using the opportunity of the ongoing negotiations on the new financial instruments as well as the current redefining of EU external action instruments.
Implementing EU policies in the field of democratisation, Human rights and cooperation with civil society (NGOs, Foundations)
Implementing EU policies in the field of democratisation, Human rights and cooperation with civil society (NGOs, Foundations)
As stated already throughout this report, the dramatic and constant worsening of the security situation leads to heavy breaches of fundamental rights and freedoms, among others torture, the kidnapping of civilians and lethal violence against women, which creates additional impediments on the road to democracy;
As stated already throughout this report, the dramatic and constant worsening of the security situation leads to heavy breaches of fundamental rights and freedoms, among others torture, the kidnapping of civilians and lethal violence against women, which creates additional impediments on the road to democracy;
The European Parliament welcomes the Iraqi decree (6 January 2005) stating that Iraq adopts the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court (ICC), but reiterates its call on Iraqi authorities to abolish death penalty in the country and to ensure appropriate detention conditions and equitable trial for prisoners; specific attention should also be paid to the case of disappeared people and be investigated adequately;
The European Parliament welcomes the Iraqi decree (6 January 2005) stating that Iraq adopts the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court (ICC), but reiterates its call on Iraqi authorities to abolish death penalty in the country and to ensure appropriate detention conditions and equitable trial for prisoners; specific attention should also be paid to the case of disappeared people and be investigated adequately;
In order to remedy to the rapid deterioration of women's condition, the drafting of the constitution should clearly stipulate non-discrimination against women.
In order to remedy to the rapid deterioration of women's condition, the drafting of the constitution should clearly stipulate non-discrimination against women.
Violence, attacks and murders of women must be properly investigated.
Violence, attacks and murders of women must be properly investigated.
k Evropské unii a Iráku – rámec pro angažovanost
on the European Union and Iraq – a Framework for Engagement
Výbor pro rozvoj vyzývá Výbor pro zahraniční věci jako příslušný výbor, aby do svého návrhu usnesení začlenil tyto návrhy:
The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
3. považuje za důležité, aby irácké volby sledovaly nezávislé mise volebních pozorovatelů z mezinárodních organizací a EU a vyjadřuje politování nad tím, že to při posledních volbách nebylo možné;
Considers it important that Iraqi elections be monitored by independent election observation missions from international organisations and the EU and regrets that this was not possible last time;
5. naléhavě žádá, aby EU zvážila poskytnutí všestranné podpory na posílení irácké justice a oblasti vnitřních záležitostí, včetně legislativní reformy; zdůrazňuje význam posilování demokratického procesu a účasti irácké občanské společnosti, kterou představují politické strany a různé organizace občanské společnosti a demokratické nevládní organizace;
Urges the EU to consider offering all possible support in the strengthening of Iraqi justice and home affairs, including the process of legislative reform; stresses the importance of strengthening the democratic process, as well as the participation of Iraq's civil society, represented by political parties, various civil-society organisations and democratic NGOs;
7. zdůrazňuje význam posilování demokratického procesu podporováním místních organizací a sdružení, které jsou projevem občanské společnosti, a činností v různých oblastech rozvoje, kultury a informací;
Stresses the importance of strengthening the democratic process, through the support of local organisations and associations, which are the expression of civil society, and by working in different fields of development, culture and information;
11. vyzývá, aby se Organizace spojených národů v souladu s různými usneseními OSN více zapojila do obnovy země a aby se mírové a mírotvorné operace převedly pod OSN, a to pod jasným mandátem Rady bezpečnosti OSN, čímž se posílí celosvětový multilateralismus;
Calls for the deeper involvement of the UN , in accordance with various UN Resolutions, in reconstruction, and for the transfer , under a clear UN Security Council mandate, of peace-keeping and peace-building operations to the UN, thereby strengthening world-wide multilateralism;