WAITING FOR THE SUN. WHEN EVERY MEETING CARRIES LOSS
Civil society is considered a key actor in the democratisation and development process of countries. Covering a range of fields, civil society acts as a bridge between local communities and the authorities, facilitating citizens' participation in public life and providing basic services. Iraqi civil society is no exception. In Iraq, the origins of civil society date back to the 1920s. Despite its early emergence, long years of authoritarian rule and several conflicts affected the effectiveness and involvement of civil society in the life of the country. It was only after the military ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003 that civil society was finally able to flourish again. More than two decades after the US military invasion, Iraqi civil society is an important actor on the public stage, where it plays significant roles, including providing humanitarian aid to victims of war and violence, offering legal support to vulnerable and marginalised groups, promoting and consolidating the principles of peace, peaceful coexistence, human rights and justice, supporting women's rights, fighting corruption, monitoring parliamentary and provincial elections, and many more.
The role of civil society in Iraq is recognised by law, thanks to international treaties signed by Iraq and a series of national and regional laws adopted over the past two decades. In addition to these, a number of operational measures regulate civil society in the country.
After a first part on the origins of civil society and its role, the study presents an overview of the legal and operational framework governing civil society in central and southern Iraq, as well as in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. The study suggests a number of recommendations to local authorities to promote cooperation between civil society actors and institutions.
The research was carried out in the framework of the EU-funded project Mubadara - Fostering an Enabling Environment for Civil Society in Iraq, in partnership with Peace and Freedom Organisation and Ufuq Organisation for Human Development.
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