5.3 m Iraqi children deprived of basic rights: UN

AFP report (November 21^st): More than five million children in Iraq are deprived of "basic rights," the United Nations said in a statement, calling for urgent action.

"One in every third child in Iraq, 5.3 million children, is still currently deprived of many of their fundamental rights," it quoted Marzio Babille, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Iraq representative, as saying.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5grBnRaTwDvC0MLURO4s7X3ZrPzHw?docId=CNG.5b372580b55d5f8675c9ded385dadbde.81

Protests

Hundreds workers demonstrate in Tahrir Square to demand their rights

NINA reports (November 17^th): Hundreds of workers protested in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, to demand their rights and prosecute corrupt officials.

The head of the General Federation of Trade Unions Qasim Al Shammari told NINA : "The goal of the demonstration is to eliminate corruption , prosecute corrupt officials , approval of the Unified Retirement Law, and enactment of the new social security system".

http://www.brussellstribunal.org/

Protest on the decision of cancelling the ration card starts

Shafaq News reports (November 12^th):A  Shafaq News reporter said that "more than 300 people came out today in a demonstration in front of Basra provincial council, demanding the federal government reverse its decision to cancel ration card items. The demonstrators held up banners saying that the government is targeting the poor people in this decision."

http://www.brussellstribunal.org/

A Legacy of the U.S. War in Iraq

Cathy Breen writes for Voices for Creative Non-Violence (November 4^th): If anyone thinks that the war is over in Iraq, I have only to open my “At a Glance” calendar where I have tried to note the number of Iraqi casualties each day over the last nine plus years: deaths due to explosions, bombs, assassinations.

More here http://vcnv.org/people-have-changed-a-legacy-of-the-u-s-war-in-iraq

Blair video

Blair says it would be 'tragic' if British businesses lost out in Iraq's reconstruction
The Guardian reports (November 5th): Former prime minister Tony Blair warns of a danger that UK companies will lose out to European competitors in rebuilding Iraq. Speaking at a conference in central London, Blair claims Iraq is 'set to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the world' over the next decade, noting that last month's oil exports of Iraq surpassed that of Iran over the same period.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2012/nov/05/tony-blair-british-businesses-iraq-video