Politics
Iraqioun Movement
A Draft Vision for Iraq’s Future
Cover issue
Mohammed Ragib
While the members of the “Iraqioun” Movement were discussing this document, the need emerged to formulate a profound and comprehensive vision that serves as a foundation for the movement’s policies and national stances. We realized that crafting a complete political doctrine, covering economic, social, developmental, diplomatic, and security aspects, requires time, effort, and in-depth studies—resources unavailable to us under the current circumstances.
Therefore, we opted for a practical and swift approach based on combining a realistic diagnosis of national needs with a future vision for Iraq. This effort is guided by two essential principles:
1. No compromise on the land.
2. No bypassing the will of the people.
Accordingly, this draft has been prepared to serve as a basis for discussion and to invite opinions and suggestions to refine and adopt it.
(2) Core Principles
The “Iraqioun” Movement believes in Iraqi national unity as a top priority and seeks to collaborate with all legitimate national entities—political, social, religious, media, or factional—to achieve and defend this unity.
We recognize that the post-2003 period has seen the emergence of extremist forces that threaten the national fabric and oppose civil society and social security. However, the spirit of national unity has remained intact, thanks to the values of the Iraqi people. The Tishreen Revolution serves as proof of this unity when the need arises.
The “Iraqioun” Movement believes in Iraqi national unity as a top priority and seeks to collaborate with all legitimate national entities—political, social, religious, media, or factional—to achieve and defend this unity.
We recognize that the post-2003 period has seen the emergence of extremist forces that threaten the national fabric and oppose civil society and social security. However, the spirit of national unity has remained intact, thanks to the values of the Iraqi people. The Tishreen Revolution serves as proof of this unity when the need arises.
(3) Terrorism
The movement rejects all forms of terrorism: military, security, religious, intellectual, political, and social.
Terrorism has left devastating impacts on the Iraqi people, causing immense human and material losses. We emphasize that combating terrorism is the exclusive responsibility of the state, which must adhere to the law and respect human rights.
The movement stresses the need to hold accountable any media outlets that contribute to disrupting civil peace and to address the misuse of anti-terrorism measures that have led to widespread injustices.
We also hold the occupation and foreign powers primarily responsible for the spread of terrorism, as terrorism entered Iraq due to the occupation and with regional and international complicity.
The movement rejects all forms of terrorism: military, security, religious, intellectual, political, and social.
Terrorism has left devastating impacts on the Iraqi people, causing immense human and material losses. We emphasize that combating terrorism is the exclusive responsibility of the state, which must adhere to the law and respect human rights.
The movement stresses the need to hold accountable any media outlets that contribute to disrupting civil peace and to address the misuse of anti-terrorism measures that have led to widespread injustices.
We also hold the occupation and foreign powers primarily responsible for the spread of terrorism, as terrorism entered Iraq due to the occupation and with regional and international complicity.
(4) Rejection of Occupation
The “Iraqioun” Movement rejects all forms of foreign occupation—political, economic, or intellectual—and affirms that full independence is a shared national responsibility.
We advocate for building international relations based on mutual interests while rejecting the imposition of realities through force of arms.
(5) Combating Corruption
The movement views corruption as a parallel state within Iraq that has flourished since 2003. Successive governments have failed to curb it, despite establishing bodies like the Integrity Commission.
We identify the causes of corruption as follows:
1. The U.S. occupation, which enabled Iranian influence to penetrate Iraqi institutions.
2. The protection of corrupt individuals by militias and a politicized judiciary.
To combat corruption, the movement proposes:
• Disbanding militias.
• Reforming the judiciary.
• Holding corrupt individuals accountable, both domestically and abroad.
• International cooperation to recover stolen funds.
The “Iraqioun” Movement rejects all forms of foreign occupation—political, economic, or intellectual—and affirms that full independence is a shared national responsibility.
We advocate for building international relations based on mutual interests while rejecting the imposition of realities through force of arms.
(5) Combating Corruption
The movement views corruption as a parallel state within Iraq that has flourished since 2003. Successive governments have failed to curb it, despite establishing bodies like the Integrity Commission.
We identify the causes of corruption as follows:
1. The U.S. occupation, which enabled Iranian influence to penetrate Iraqi institutions.
2. The protection of corrupt individuals by militias and a politicized judiciary.
To combat corruption, the movement proposes:
• Disbanding militias.
• Reforming the judiciary.
• Holding corrupt individuals accountable, both domestically and abroad.
• International cooperation to recover stolen funds.
(6) Judicial Reform
The movement believes that Iraq’s judiciary lacks the strength to achieve its goals.
We call for addressing sensitive issues, including:
1. The fate of the disappeared.
2. Corruption in ministries and smuggled funds.
3. Accountability for corrupt judges.
4. Pursuing countries and entities that contributed to Iraq’s occupation and resource theft.
(7) Armed Forces
We support the need to rebuild a strong, professional, and non-politicized Iraqi army dedicated solely to national defense.
Our priorities include:
1. Restructuring and organizing the army.
2. Prioritizing quality over quantity in its formations.
3. Equipping the army with modern defensive weaponry.
The movement believes that Iraq’s judiciary lacks the strength to achieve its goals.
We call for addressing sensitive issues, including:
1. The fate of the disappeared.
2. Corruption in ministries and smuggled funds.
3. Accountability for corrupt judges.
4. Pursuing countries and entities that contributed to Iraq’s occupation and resource theft.
(7) Armed Forces
We support the need to rebuild a strong, professional, and non-politicized Iraqi army dedicated solely to national defense.
Our priorities include:
1. Restructuring and organizing the army.
2. Prioritizing quality over quantity in its formations.
3. Equipping the army with modern defensive weaponry.
(8) Economic Independence
The movement believes that economic independence is tied to political sovereignty.
We advocate:
1. Reducing Iranian influence and strengthening ties with industrialized nations.
2. Reassessing all economic agreements made post-2003.
3. Improving the value of the Iraqi dinar.
4. Combating drought and building dams.
(9) Religion
We believe that Iraq’s religious and ethnic diversity is a source of strength if managed wisely.
The movement advocates for separating religion from politics and replacing religious education in schools with curricula that focus on ethics and teamwork.
Additionally, we propose regulating religious activities to ensure public order.
The movement believes that economic independence is tied to political sovereignty.
We advocate:
1. Reducing Iranian influence and strengthening ties with industrialized nations.
2. Reassessing all economic agreements made post-2003.
3. Improving the value of the Iraqi dinar.
4. Combating drought and building dams.
(9) Religion
We believe that Iraq’s religious and ethnic diversity is a source of strength if managed wisely.
The movement advocates for separating religion from politics and replacing religious education in schools with curricula that focus on ethics and teamwork.
Additionally, we propose regulating religious activities to ensure public order.
(10) Federalism
While we support federalism as one of the most successful systems of governance, we believe that Iraq’s current circumstances are unsuitable for its implementation.
We urge patience and deeper study of the federalism concept, emphasizing the importance of Iraq’s unity in confronting external and sectarian interventions.
(11) Foreign Policy
The movement calls for a foreign policy that takes clear stances against oppression and colonialism, while fostering relations with industrialized nations and building influential lobbies in major countries.
(12) Public Services
We affirm that public services are the backbone of any state’s progress, especially electricity, which is essential for the development of all sectors.
The movement proposes:
1. Reviewing agreements that make Iraq dependent on Iran.
2. Adopting new energy sources, such as solar and nuclear power.
3. Establishing specialized energy research centers.
While we support federalism as one of the most successful systems of governance, we believe that Iraq’s current circumstances are unsuitable for its implementation.
We urge patience and deeper study of the federalism concept, emphasizing the importance of Iraq’s unity in confronting external and sectarian interventions.
(11) Foreign Policy
The movement calls for a foreign policy that takes clear stances against oppression and colonialism, while fostering relations with industrialized nations and building influential lobbies in major countries.
(12) Public Services
We affirm that public services are the backbone of any state’s progress, especially electricity, which is essential for the development of all sectors.
The movement proposes:
1. Reviewing agreements that make Iraq dependent on Iran.
2. Adopting new energy sources, such as solar and nuclear power.
3. Establishing specialized energy research centers.
(13) Constitution
We believe that the 2003 Constitution contains critical flaws and that its application has been riddled with contradictions.
The movement calls for drafting a fair constitution that reflects the aspirations of the people, protects their rights, ensures balance between powers, and establishes the principles of justice and equality.
Conclusion
The “Iraqioun” Movement adopts a comprehensive vision for rebuilding Iraq, based on national unity, combating corruption, independent political and economic decisions, promoting justice, and reforming state institutions. We call on all national forces to rally around these principles to achieve a better future for Iraq and its people.
We believe that the 2003 Constitution contains critical flaws and that its application has been riddled with contradictions.
The movement calls for drafting a fair constitution that reflects the aspirations of the people, protects their rights, ensures balance between powers, and establishes the principles of justice and equality.
Conclusion
The “Iraqioun” Movement adopts a comprehensive vision for rebuilding Iraq, based on national unity, combating corruption, independent political and economic decisions, promoting justice, and reforming state institutions. We call on all national forces to rally around these principles to achieve a better future for Iraq and its people.
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