2005-08-28
Reject Iraq's Constitution
Iraq's new constitution can be found here. Here are my objections. I would vote against this constitution myself.
"Recognizing God's right upon us"
To an atheist, this may as well say that the Loch Ness monster has a right upon us.
"Article (2): 1st - Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation:"
This is religious discrimination in the constitution.
"(a) No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam."
What exactly are the undisputed rules of Islam? That Muslims aren't allowed to make friends with the Christians and Jews? So Iraq isn't allowed to form a Free Trade Agreement with a predominantly-Christian country such as USA?
"2nd - This constitution guarantees the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people"
The constitution somehow manages to prevent mass conversion to Hinduism, does it?
"Article (3): Iraq is a multiethnic, multi-religious and multi-sect country. It is part of the Islamic world and its Arab people are part of the Arab nation."
Starts well, but the last bit is horribly racist. It should read "Iraqi people of any race are humans and do not have a brotherhood with any other nation on the basis of race. Instead, brotherhood will be based on ideology, specifically all Iraqis are proud members of the free world". Also it should call on other members of the free world to help ensure that Iraq remains part of the free world forever.
"especially the Saddamist Baath Party in Iraq"
Don't honour this tyrant any more than necessary. Ensure Saddam's name doesn't appear in the constitution. Preferably delete the reference to the Ba'ath Party as well. The rest of the paragraph does enough to dissuage Saddam's old party. No need to name it explicitly.
"Article (8): Iraq shall abide by the principles of good neighbourliness and by not intervening in the internal affairs of the other countries"
Imagine if the west hadn't intervened in the internal affairs of Iraq! Scrap this article and replace it with "Iraqis, as victims of unimaginable human rights abuses, will actively seek to ensure the human rights of others, regardless of nationality.
"parents have the right to respect and care from their children, especially in times of want, disability or old age."
Say what? Children are free independent people. They do not have any obligation to their parents who they may happen to hate. This contradicts freedom of association.
"3rd - Forced labour, slavery and the commerce in slaves is forbidden, as is the trading in women or children or the sex trade."
This is not quite clear. Are you banning prostitution? Banning dirty movies? You're infringing on people's rights if you are. Learn from Australia.
"Article (36): The state guarantees, as long as it does not violate public order and morality:
1st - the freedom of expressing opinion by all means."
You mean I'm not allowed to express an opinion on something if it is "immoral"? Does that mean I can't say "I enjoy watching toads fuck each other"? What about "Gerbils make the best sex partners"?.
“I swear by God almighty to carry out"
I swear by the Loch Ness Monster again.
I didn't read through the way elections are carried out, but I advocate using Australia's preferential voting system such that votes cast for minority parties are not wasted - the next preference takes effect instead when the minor party is eliminated.
On the plus side, at least the constitution doesn't explicitly take away my right to blaspheme, e.g. "Mohammed was a Satanic pedophile".
|
"Recognizing God's right upon us"
To an atheist, this may as well say that the Loch Ness monster has a right upon us.
"Article (2): 1st - Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation:"
This is religious discrimination in the constitution.
"(a) No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam."
What exactly are the undisputed rules of Islam? That Muslims aren't allowed to make friends with the Christians and Jews? So Iraq isn't allowed to form a Free Trade Agreement with a predominantly-Christian country such as USA?
"2nd - This constitution guarantees the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people"
The constitution somehow manages to prevent mass conversion to Hinduism, does it?
"Article (3): Iraq is a multiethnic, multi-religious and multi-sect country. It is part of the Islamic world and its Arab people are part of the Arab nation."
Starts well, but the last bit is horribly racist. It should read "Iraqi people of any race are humans and do not have a brotherhood with any other nation on the basis of race. Instead, brotherhood will be based on ideology, specifically all Iraqis are proud members of the free world". Also it should call on other members of the free world to help ensure that Iraq remains part of the free world forever.
"especially the Saddamist Baath Party in Iraq"
Don't honour this tyrant any more than necessary. Ensure Saddam's name doesn't appear in the constitution. Preferably delete the reference to the Ba'ath Party as well. The rest of the paragraph does enough to dissuage Saddam's old party. No need to name it explicitly.
"Article (8): Iraq shall abide by the principles of good neighbourliness and by not intervening in the internal affairs of the other countries"
Imagine if the west hadn't intervened in the internal affairs of Iraq! Scrap this article and replace it with "Iraqis, as victims of unimaginable human rights abuses, will actively seek to ensure the human rights of others, regardless of nationality.
"parents have the right to respect and care from their children, especially in times of want, disability or old age."
Say what? Children are free independent people. They do not have any obligation to their parents who they may happen to hate. This contradicts freedom of association.
"3rd - Forced labour, slavery and the commerce in slaves is forbidden, as is the trading in women or children or the sex trade."
This is not quite clear. Are you banning prostitution? Banning dirty movies? You're infringing on people's rights if you are. Learn from Australia.
"Article (36): The state guarantees, as long as it does not violate public order and morality:
1st - the freedom of expressing opinion by all means."
You mean I'm not allowed to express an opinion on something if it is "immoral"? Does that mean I can't say "I enjoy watching toads fuck each other"? What about "Gerbils make the best sex partners"?.
“I swear by God almighty to carry out"
I swear by the Loch Ness Monster again.
I didn't read through the way elections are carried out, but I advocate using Australia's preferential voting system such that votes cast for minority parties are not wasted - the next preference takes effect instead when the minor party is eliminated.
On the plus side, at least the constitution doesn't explicitly take away my right to blaspheme, e.g. "Mohammed was a Satanic pedophile".
# posted by Paul Edwards @ 16:12 
