may create a separate enclave or state affecting the social cohesiveness, national unity, and ability to – stability of the Kurdish minorities in Syria, Turkey, overcome sectarian violence. and Iran in the process. The scale and gravity of the abuses and the For example in Iran the calls for Kurdish and urgency of the situation demand a swift and robust Arab separatism have escalated with demands gaining response not only to provide humanitarian assistance – more media coverage than ever before. A potential to those displaced and otherwise affected by the Iraqi federal state has had a knock on effect in Iran conflict but also to ensure the protection of vulnerable – with ethnic grouping making stronger political communities who risk being wiped off the map of Iraq. demands than before. Therefore it no longer sufficient A quick resolution is unlikely and impossible, for Shiite demands to be neglected, with the Shiite in but an increased understanding of the regional scope power in neighboring Iraq it has raised the of these problems is an important step towards – bargaining power of Shiite communities in the Middle addressing them. In this case, as many experts East and made ruling regimes more willing to listen. underline, the U.S. should not follow withdrawal from So, the human rights situation facing minorities Iraq with disengagement from the region productive – in Iraq remains in dire straits on all levels: political, efforts with regional allies are still possible and will be civic, and cultural. ethnic and religious vital to preventing the further deterioration of an Iraq’s minorities, along with other vulnerable populations, already bad situation. It should be very clear that continue to face threats of violence, religious increasing sectarian polarization and violence is in the discrimination, exclusion, and denial of their property interests neither of the regional players and their allies rights. The consequences are far-reaching for nor the whole international community. Iraq’s 6/25/2016
may create a separate enclave or state – affecting the stability of the Kurdish minorities in Syria, Turkey, and Iran in the process. For example in Iran the calls for Kurdish and Arab separatism have escalated with demands gaining more media coverage than ever before. A potential Iraqi federal state has had a knock on effect in Iran – with ethnic grouping making stronger political demands than before. Therefore it no longer sufficient for Shiite demands to be neglected, with the Shiite in power in neighboring Iraq – it has raised the bargaining power of Shiite communities in the Middle East and made ruling regimes more willing to listen. So, the human rights situation facing minorities in Iraq remains in dire straits on all levels: political, civic, and cultural. Iraq’s ethnic and religious minorities, along with other vulnerable populations, continue to face threats of violence, religious discrimination, exclusion, and denial of their property rights. The consequences are far-reaching for Iraq’s social cohesiveness, national unity, and ability to overcome sectarian violence. The scale and gravity of the abuses and the urgency of the situation demand a swift and robust response – not only to provide humanitarian assistance to those displaced and otherwise affected by the conflict but also to ensure the protection of vulnerable communities who risk being wiped off the map of Iraq. A quick resolution is unlikely and impossible, but an increased understanding of the regional scope of these problems is an important step towards addressing them. In this case, as many experts underline, the U.S. should not follow withdrawal from Iraq with disengagement from the region – productive efforts with regional allies are still possible and will be vital to preventing the further deterioration of an already bad situation. It should be very clear that increasing sectarian polarization and violence is in the interests neither of the regional players and their allies nor the whole international community. 6/25/2016
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