The closing statement of the meeting of the Board of Directors of Peace and Freedom Organization

 Erbil - January 16, 2021

The Board of Directors of Peace and Organization held its first periodic meeting for 2021 in the presence of all its members, where the executive director of the organization was hosted in some of the meeting's paragraphs.

The meeting dealt with the reality of Iraqi civil society organizations and the basic rights and freedoms in the country in detail. Also, expressed their deep concern over the major interventions practiced by some parties in the work of civil society and the obstacles placed in front of the work of CSOs, and the continuing serious and dangerous violations against activists, demonstrators, and journalists all over Iraq. Officials in Baghdad and Erbil are required to end these interventions and violations, abide by the constitution, local legislation, and international obligations of the Iraqi state in the field of human rights, and expedite the development of a national plan to implement the recommendations of the comprehensive periodic review (UPR). In addition to the request of the official authorities to accelerate the legislation of trade union organizations law for workers and employees in Iraq according to the joint draft in which representatives of various federations and unions participated,

on the other hand, the meeting dealt with the internal situation of the organization, and each of the board Director, Executive Director and Financial manager presented reports on the programs and activities of PFO during 2020 and despite the press situation and the outbreak of COVID-19 and its health, economic and social effects, the organization had an important role and an effective contribution in implementing its programs in regions different in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and the meeting approved the activities and financial reports for the year 2020, the programs and activities for 2021 were discussed, and the plan was approved.

The meeting took a set of internal decisions on strengthening work and making some changes in the structure of the board of directors to serve the organization's work in the next stage, including the approval of the board director to resume his work, assigning the finance official to work within the executive body and approving the invitation of the reserve member of the board of directors to fill the vacancy. Existing in the Board of Directors after the resignation of one of the Board members was certified. The work of the Executive Director of the organization was evaluated and the Board approved the extension of the Executive Director’s contract for 2021.

The council also discussed the relationship with international organizations and their role in assisting local and national organizations. Emphasis was placed on the need to respect the independence of local organizations and build relationships in accordance with the principles of transparency, integrity, cooperation, solidarity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of local organizations.

Board of Directors

Peace and Freedom Organization