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Sunday 25 December 2005 |
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MIDDLE EAST: Weekly round-up Number 26 for 10-16 June 2005[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]Key Humanitarian Developments in Iraq IRAQ: Journalists call for greater freedom Iraqi journalists called for greater press freedom and respect for their profession at a conference held in the capital, Baghdad on 14-15 June. The event was organised by the independent Iraqi National Communication and Media Commission (INCMC), following reported cases of abuse of journalists. The body was formed after the fall of the former government in April 2003. Full report IRAQ: NGO calls for greater facilitation for aid work The NGO Italian Consortium of Solidarity (ICS) has called for greater facilitation of humanitarian work in Iraq as well as guarantees of basic human rights for local people and aid workers during security operations. "Humanitarian work in Iraq has not been respected to any extent by the Multi-National Forces (MNF) [the US-led Coalition] and Iraqi security forces. Humanitarian work has been delayed due to unacceptable behaviour and the Iraqi population is suffering from this action," ICS spokeswoman, Catherine Dickehage, told IRIN from the Italian capital, Rome. Full report IRAQ: Internet exam results aid transparency Exam results for bachelor university degrees in Iraq will be released on the internet this year in an effort to increase transparency and because of continuing insecurity. "We are now in a democratic country and results on the internet will help to prevent students from getting extra marks and cheating as it will go directly from the correction room to the internet site with final approval from the ministry of education," general director of baccalaureate exams at the Ministry of Education (MoE), Sabah al-Jaffe, said. Full report IRAQ: New radio station for women goes on the air A radio station focusing on women’s issues has hit the airwaves in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Topics under discussion include the importance of women’s rights and the new constitution, the forthcoming general election, childhood needs and family problems. "The radio station is a voice for Iraqi women in the country, a voice to speak about her rights, her issues, her ambitions, her problems without hesitation," manager of the radio station, Majed Rahak, said. Full report IRAQ: Increase in TB cases worrying, doctors say Iraqi doctors say they are concerned over an increase in Tuberculosis (TB) cases in the southeastern city of Amarah, fuelled by a shortage of medicine and poor living conditions. The disease, which has been under control in the area for more than 50 years, has been rising steadily since the conflict in 2003. A survey of living conditions, released by the UN and the Iraqi government in May, stressed that standards had seriously deteriorated over the past two years with poor access to clean water or adequate healthcare. Full report SYRIA: Focus on HIV/AIDS Syria is a low prevalence-rate country for HIV/AIDS but in spite of this, efforts to tackle the issue are being stepped up. The aim is to try and prevent the disease spreading through lack of awareness, particularly among young people. "I do not want to die because of ignorance. I want to lead a better life. I am aware that inadequate information about the transmission of this disease and not receiving proper counselling could leave us to suffer in silence and not seek help," Suha, who only gave her first name, said as she took an AIDS test at a centre for counselling young people. Full report YEMEN: Polio vaccination “highly successful,? say the health ministry A nationwide polio vaccination campaign in Yemen to control a recent outbreak has been “highly successful?, according to health officials. The figures indicate good coverage, according to Dr Ali Al-Mudhwahi, head of family health at the Ministry of Health (MoH). Full report EGYPT: Focus on pro-democracy movement in referendum aftermath Pro-democracy and human rights organisations are holding weekly candlelight vigils in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to demand an official apology for violence during the constitutional referendum in May. A number of women said they were sexually assaulted when clashes broke out between supporters of President Hosni Mubarak and their opponents. Full report JORDAN: NGO’s reaffirm commitment to Iraq NGOs working in Iraq have agreed on the need for stronger advocacy and the need to create safe space for humanitarian work, following a conference held in the Jordanian capital, Amman. "We (NGOs) aim to provide independent and universal humanitarian and development assistance solely based on Iraqi people’s needs, rights and interests," Kasra Mofarah, executive coordinator of the NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI) said. Full report [ENDS]
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