Law Concerning Members of Saddam’s Baath Party Undergoes Major Modifications

In response to the Sunni Arab rallies, the Iraqi cabinet has made amendments to the “De-Baathification Law” which now awaits approval from Parliament. The modifications made have posed certain benefits to Baath Party members such as pensions and the chance to enter public life. But there are also major limitations to Baath Party members who are blacklisted. They face a ban from public life. The Iraqi government revealed the reforms on Sunday.

Off to Parliament

Now that the draft amendment has been completed, the law faces another hurdle as it is discussed in Parliament, which convenes on Monday. Stiff opposition is expected before the law can be approved, particularly from Shiite lawmakers. During the Saddam regime, residents of Southern Iraq where the Shiite community come from suffered the most from the strong arm of the dictator.

Placating the Sunni minority

The Shi’ite authorities have been accused of being biased against the Sunni minority. Sunni Arabs held power during the Saddam regime. The Sunni community has been staging protests since December last year. They also cry foul for being targeted with anti-terror legislation.

This move serves to placate the angry demonstrators. The ministers have approved the draft amendments. The modifications give party leaders the opportunity to enter into public service once more. Firqa-level members will now have the opportunity to enter public service. Members of the Fedayeen Saddam will also be given pension payments. Thousands of Baath members who supported ousted former dicator Saddam Hussein during his reign are still in Iraq today.

Reforms needed

The main criticism of the law concerns disproportionate targeting of Sunni people. Others say that its scope is too broad and all-encompassing. According to Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlak the De-Baathification Law has prevented the Iraqi government from benefiting from the skills and talents of many of the Baath Party members.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish MP Mahmud Othman who is opposed to the De-Baathification laws calls it a punishment to people who were key players in the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Concrete steps towards reconciliation?

A professor of politics from Baghdad University, Ihsan al-Shammari considers the move a step towards a new phase. He says that it is a turnaround from the existing “phobia of the Baath party.” The professor adds that this is a good move for the government.

Othman further shared his viewpoint on the De-Baathification law, saying that for reconciliation to push through, it would not do to take everyone to court. And in order to create a unified Iraqi state, doors must be opened to non-allies and not treat them all as having committing a collective crime.

The sweeping reforms come at a critical time. On April 20, 2013 provincial council elections – the first polls to be held in the country since 2010, are scheduled to push through. Violence characterizes the upcoming polls as reports state that 12 candidates have already been killed. The Prime Minister of Iraq, Nuri al-Maliki is said to have been absent in critical parliament sessions that seek to decide on interventions for the security issues that currently beset the country.