A War Launched to Erase both the Culture and Future of the Iraqi people

International Seminar on the assassination of Iraqi Academics and Health Professionals

Madrid (Spain)

- Saturday 22 April, 2006: Public Session

- Sunday 23 April, 2006: International Meeting on Iraq Solidarity (organizations)

The Association of Iraqi Academics estimates that more than 180 academics from a wide range of academic and scientific fields of studies from all over the country have been killed or forced in to exile. Most of them were high-level academic staff members [1]. According to official Iraqi sources, an additional 311 primary and secondary teachers of both sexes have been killed in Iraq during the last four months alone [2].

Likewise, workers attached to the National Iraqi Medicare System--a model of civic compromise during the 15 years of sanctions, war and occupation--are being targeted for a mass campaign of extortion, threats and murders. Meanwhile, Iraqi hospitals and clinics are being attacked and systematically raided by US occupation forces.

The occupation is responsible for these killings. There is no doubt that this is a deliberate campaign of criminal acts committed by death squads and encouraged by those who want to erase all secular and qualified layers of Iraqi society: academics, scientists, professionals and intellectuals, women and men who would be the foundation in the rebuilding of a democratic and non-sectarian society in a free and sovereign State of Iraq after the end of the Occupation.

Within the framework of the conclusions of the World Tribunal on Iraq [3], the Spanish Campaign against the Occupation and for the Sovereignty of Iraq (CEOSI), The BRussells Tribunal and the US organization International Action Center (IAC, presided over Mr. Ramsey Clark), are calling for the International Seminar A War Launched to Erase both the Culture and the Future of Iraq, on the assassinations of Iraqi Academics and Health Professionals, which will be held in Madrid, on Saturday 22 April 2006.

On Sunday 23 April there will be an international meeting of both European and US organizations with the purpose of encouraging international solidarity with Iraq.

Four relevant Iraqi guests –activists, Academics and Medical Doctors- will participate in the public Session. They are currently documenting the dirty war in Iraq: Eman A. Khamas, Dr. Ali Abdulah, Dr Sami Wasfi (there was an assassination attempt on his life) and Dr Ghazwan Al-Mukhtar.

The international campaign will be introduced by Dirk Adriaensens (BRussells Tribunal, Belgium), John Catalinotto (IAC, USA) and Ian Douglas (BRussells Tribunal, UK).

As well, we are pleased to highlight the presence of two of the most eminent Spanish experts in the Arab World, Professor Mr. Pedro Martínez Montávez ("Occupation and Sectarianism in Iraq") and Joaquín Córdoba Zoilo, Lecturer at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid ("The Plundering of World Heritage in Iraq").

The meeting will be opened by the Chancellor of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ángel Gabilondo —introduced by Carlos Varea (national coordinator of the CEOSI)—, and it will be closed by Rosa Regás, Director of the National Library and by Pedro Martinez Lillo, Vice Chancellor for University Cooperation.

Organizers:

Spanish Campaign against the Occupation and for the Sovereignty of Iraq
http://www.iraqsolidaridad.org

BRussells Tribunal
http://www.brusselstribunal.org

International Action Center
http://www.iacenter.org

With the cooperation of

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)

and the support of

Escuela Julián Besteiro and the National Library

Place:

Escuela Julián Besterio, Calle Azcona, 53

[Subway/Metro: "Parque de Las Avenidas" (Line 7), "Diego León" (Lines 4, 5 and 6) and "Ventas" (Line 2). Buses from Callao Sq. (Nos. 21, 53 and 74) and Manuel Becerra Sq. (No. 48).]

Opening (Saturday): 10:30 h.

Entrance free /Simultaneous translation

Available information at:

iraq@nodo50.org

References:

1. The Spanish Campaign against the Occupation and for the Sovereignty of Iraq (CEOSI) has confirmed the names of 147 of academics killed (http://www.nodo50.org/iraq/2004-2005/docs/represion_11-11-05.html). The BRussells Tribunal has a confirmed a list of 218 killed Iraqi academics, doctors and professionals (http://www.brusselstribunal.org/academicsList.htm).

2. The Independent, 29 March 2006.

3. http://www.worldtribunal.org/main/?b=91.