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WinConference : Ebtisam Georges
From Iraq with love
Ebtisam Georges
Aradhana: At times we are so absorbed in life around us that we are oblivious of what’s happening around the world. Let’s listen to Ebtisam Georges (Ex Iraqi parliamentarian) share her version of the state of affairs in Iraq and the hopes the future holds.
Q: What happened soon after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime?
A: After three long decades of dictatorship Iraq witnessed a unique and historical event with the final fall of the regime. The allied forces made their way into Iraq and there was a comprehensive and total collapse of the ministries of defense and information. Along with the toppling down of the former Iraqi government the former regime of Baath Party leaders were eliminated.
Q: How was it being a parliamentarian in democratic governance?
A: In the course of the changes towards adopting and embracing democracy the first national council (better know as a parliament) was formed. As one of the 100 members of the council we worked through transition and finally reached a crescendo with the announcement of general elections in Iraq. It was a matchless experience and I was one of those candidates nominated for a seat in the parliament that time.
Q: What is on the agenda for your party?
A: As a high-ranking member of the Bethnahrain National Party, a democratic party one of our primary goals has been to revive the ancient Assyrian civilization and secure the rights of our Assyrian, Chaldaean and Syriac people - the offsprings of the ancient Babylonian and Assyrian empires They still speak a modern version of the ancient Aramaic language that was the lingua franca of all the ancient Middle East during the time of Jesus. They still live in Iraq, the home of their forefathers but unfortunately do not enjoy equal rights with their fellow citizens in almost all aspects.
Q: How does the future look like?
A: My party has been working hard to secure these rights and have them stated in the coming interim Iraqi constitution for the first time in Iraq. We want to safeguard the legitimate rights of our people in the future government. There are big challenges but we hope we will succeed with the support of the new democratic government and the international community.
Q: Tell us about your W.I.N. experience?
A: I spend a lot of my time these days working with NGOs and am very much looking forward to attending W.I.N. 2005. It gives me immense pleasure to participate and acquaint myself with the new trends in the women’s issues arena through the discussion of the various discussions on the economic, political and other topics at W.I.N. There are lots of things and experiences that other leader women may perhaps be interested to know which I'd be happy to discuss and explain for I believe that women all over the world are interested in the political changes that may have a positive or negative impact on women and children's life.
Ebtisam Georges
W.I.N. Participant
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