Read this article in:
5 March, 2007
Jawad al-Maliki
Prime Minister of Iraq
Brussels, 5 March 2007
Dear Prime Minister,
On behalf of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions, the Global Union Federation, representing 20 million workers in the Mine, Energy, Chemical and related Process Industries I wish to express to you my strong condemnation of the recent attacks on the head office of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) and I call on you to intervene as a matter of urgency in what is obviously an illegal and grossly irresponsible act.
The ICEM has been informed by the GFIW Executive that on 23 February, American and Iraqi forces raided the head office of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) and arrested one of the Union security staff.
This unprovoked attack resulted in the destruction of furniture, the confiscation of a computer and fax machine and the arrest of an employee who we understand was released unharmed later same day.
The same force repeated this unprovoked attack on 25 February and caused further extensive damage.
ICEM adds its voice to the demands of the GFIW which condemn this unprovoked attack and also calls on the occupation forces to issue a written apology, to return all the GFIW property and compensate for the damages they caused to the unions office.
These attacks are a clear violation of fundamental human and trade union rights. They are also a cynical attempt to not only harass the trade union movement of your country but to limit their ability to communicate with both their members and their international contacts. This is appalling, particularly at the present time. Genuine and democratic trade unions are a cornerstone of democracy and at the same time are a force for reconciliation, peace and stability in a society.
It is essential that your government upholds internationally recognised rights, including full respect for the fundamental human rights of workers. We urge you to order a thorough investigation into these attacks on the GFIW.
Yours sincerely,
Manfred Warda
General Secretary