A delegation from the international campaign to remove article 7 of the Kurdistan constitution presented a petition and more than 4000 signatures to the constitution committee in Kurdistan Parliament!

On the 27th March 2007, a delegation from the international campaign to remove Article 7 consisted of Houzan Mahmoud, the campaign coordinator; Sozan Shehab, a member of Kurdistan parliament; and Stivan Shamzinani, journalist and campaign representative in Kurdistan visited the Kurdistan parliament in Erbil in order to present all the signatures, letters of support and a petition to demand separation of religion from state affairs.
The campaign delegates were greeted and met by Mr Forsat Ahmad, the head of the constitution committee, as well as Mr Shirwan Haidary, Mr Tariq Jambaz, and Mrs Pakshan Zangana, members of the constitutional committee. During the meeting, Houzan Mahmoud spoke about the idea behind the campaign to establish a secular constitution, and avoid imposing an Islamic and theocratic constitution on the people of Kurdistan. Houzan, in her speech, said that “We are here and represent masses of people and we would like to inform you that people don’t want Islamic Sharia Law and that they have already organised their lives according to secular values.” She added that it is this reality that has created the potential for changing Article 7.

Houzan Mahmoud speaking with the constitution committee
Then Mrs Sozan Shehab said that our campaign does not work to challenge religion, but the campaign’s aim is to separate religion from the state, therefore, we are working more to inform wider society about it.
Stivan Shamzinani stressed the importance of secularism in Kurdish society, and he mentioned his recent survey among different sections of society to record their views on secularism. The survey, which was conducted in different towns, villages, and cities among 600 people, found that 54% people were in favour of a secular constitution. He also said “if we had effective access to the media, we can easily reach a large number of people and attract them to secularism.”
Then Mr Forsat Ahmad welcomed the ideas of the campaign, and pointed out that the committee responsible for writing the constitution agree with the campaign’s aim and objectives. He said that they are only one party who is involved in drafting the constitution, and they will do their best to raise the campaign’s issues to the parliament for discussion. He said it would be good if the campaign contacts the political parties in power and persuades them to change Article 7.
Then he promised to hand over the petition to the parliament and to support it. He also said that the final decision is not in the hands of the constitutional committee, and that the parliament, political parties and a referendum will decide.
At the end Mr Ahmad assured the delegation that “we will take all your points on board and will take steps to change Article 7, as we have already brought another article which states that every individual is free to choose any religion or belief to follow”.
Then Houzan Mahmoud presented all the signatures, petition and letters of support to the constitution committee on behalf of the campaign, which raised the issue of Article 7 on a local and international level.
Afterwards, the campaign’s delegation held a press conference in the building of Kurdistan parliament. Many media outlets, including Kurdistan Satelite-Kurdsat TV, Zagross Radio, Komal TV, Azadi TV and Radio, Dijla News Agency, Payamner News Agency, Kurdistan for News, Hawlati, Media, The Kurdistan Report, Jamawar, Alai Azadi, Newand, and Ala, attended the press conference.

Sozan Shehab, Houzan Mahmoud and Stivan Shamzinani in the press conference at the parliament building
Houzan Mahmoud opened the press conference and welcomed the media, and then she introduced both Sozan Shehab and Stivan Shamzinani to the gathered reporters. Ms Shehab spoke about the campaigns aim and objectives, adding that we can not give up on secularism, and “that’s why we are here today”. Ms Mahmoud said that the meeting “of today was a positive step forward”. Mr Shamzinani said if Article 7 remains changed the campaign “will enter a different stage and we will continue with our campaign until we achieve our aims.” Ms Mahmoud, Mr Shamzinani then went on to take questions from the media.

Between the 24th and the 26th March, and prior to the close of the petition campaign, both Houzan Mahmoud and Stivan Shamzinani visited ordinary people, media outlets and civil society organisations. Both Houzan and Stivan gave several interviews with Kurdistan media, among them interview with the Renesans website, Azadi TV station, Zahmatkeshan TV station, Alai Azadi paper, Hawlati Paper, Newand paper, and Alla Paper.

Houzan and Stivan giving interview to Barzan Ahmad from Ala newspaper
Needless to say, the work and activities of the campaign will continue on local and international level to change Article 7.
12/04/2007

Report by Houzan Mahmoud coordinator of the international campaign to remove article 7

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