Wednesday, April 17, 2019 - 10:15
The Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at AUIS hosted a symposium and panel discussion titled "Rebuilding the Iraqi State: Spotlight on Basra," co-hosted with the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) on Tuesday, April 16 in the AUIS Conference Hall.
"Over the last few years, Iraqis have chosen to make their views heard at protests rather than at the ballot box. In 2018, regular summer protests in the southern province of Basra escalated into an unprecedented degree of social unrest, which was met by violent repression from state and allied forces," said an IRIS announcement detailing the event. "Was this period in Basra a one-off, or does it suggest we are entering a new era of protests is emerging? How have relations evolved between the new government in Baghdad and the province in the last year? Has the new government effectively addressed grievances, or will the upcoming summer see more protests?"
The Iraq Initiative from Chatham House partnered with IRIS to convene the high-level panel of experts who explored the case of Basra and what it means for the ongoing process of re-building of the Iraqi state. Speakers included Renad Mansour (Moderator), Chatham House & IRIS; Jasim Al-Helfi, Iraqi Communist Party; Belkis Wille, Human Rights Watch; Ali Al-Madan, Basrawi Researcher & Writer; and Hanaa Edwar, Iraqi Al Amal.