In the framework of the II Nonviolence Forum in Basra and the campaign Control PMSC, the Iraqi Civil Solidarity Initiative, Laonf Group and NOVACT conducted the first workshop in Iraq (20, 21, 22 of october) about the impact of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSC) in the Human Rights and how Iraqi civil society actors can engage in the international campaign to regulate this sector. During the workshop Iraqi lawyers, journalists, NGOs and activists proposed specific ways to raise awareness about this topic and especially how Iraqi civil society can advocate for an effective legal framework to readdress victims abuses, monitor and make PMSCs accountable for their activities in their territory. “Never Again” has been the slogan decided by the Iraqi participants to launch a national initiative coordinated with Control PMSC campaign for the regulation of PMSC.
The international program CANVI – Consolidation of Nonviolent Actors in Iraq intends to strength the capacity of the Laonf network in Iraq in cooperation with international partners such as NOVACT, in order to play a key role in the social and political arena in the country. The growing role of civil society, especially after the Arab Springs, seeks to create a peacebuilding process and social contract based on human rights, nonviolence and respect among the different religious and ethnic communities in Iraq. In this framework, the action is structured in increasing the capacities and work of the international and Iraqi civil society in the following areas: peacebuilding at grass-root level; analysis and research work; regional cooperation among nonviolent actors; and advocacy action.
The campaign Control PMSC resulted from the combination of the research The Privatization of Warfare, Violence and Private Military Security Companies and advocacy component of the above mentioned project supported by Barcelona Council.
Read what media says here
To know more about the campaign: www.controlpmsc.org
