Importance of People Power Through Nonviolent Resistance to End US Led Occupation of Iraq
(On 3rd Anniversary Iraqi invasion, March 20, 2006, at the US Consulate, Belfast)
by Mairead Corrigan Maguire
The US led coalition has military might, but no moral authority, and is therefore incapable of solving the Iraqi crisis. Only the Iraqi people, and their friends around the world, using nonviolent resistance to end the occupation and all violence, can begin to solve Iraqi problems, and many of the problems facing the human family. People power, and nonviolent resistance to injustice and war, in Baghdad, Belfast, Birmingham, or Bethlehem, is the only power which works, because it upholds human life and human dignity, and reminds us we are brothers and sisters who need both justice and each other.
On this 3rd anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq we gather together to remember all those who have been killed, and to call for an end to the US-led invasion and occupation. We call also for people to continue to mobilize and use nonviolent resistance to end the occupation of Iraq.
In initiating and waging a war of aggression, and violating international treaties, the US/UK governments are guilty of crimes against peace and war crimes. Their immoral, illegal and aggressive war and invasion of Iraq, breaches many international laws including, the Nuremberg Principles, the Geneva and Hague Conventions, the Treaty on Renunciation of War as a National Policy, and the United Nations Charter. There should be an enquiry into this in order to give justice to the Iraqi people and to safeguard the international community, lest the US Government attempt another preemptive war, air strikes, etc., against Iran, or elsewhere in the world.
The US-led occupation of Iraq in March, 2003, coming as it did upon 13 years of economic sanctions and military bombing, was inhuman and cruel, as the Iraqi people never committed any crimes against the UK or the USA. The human cost, mostly to Iraqi civilians, is testimony to military madness. Over 100,000 Iraqis, over 2,000 USA soldiers, and over 100 UK soldiers, all killed, and untold thousands injured. Also the illegal tactics of US troops and the policies of coalition forces are shameful and disgusting to the international community. The American forces have used cluster bombs, depleted uranium, white phosphorous and napalm on Iraqi civilians and their land. The torture of prisoners in US custody has and continues to constitute war crimes. Recently a SAS soldier (Ben Griffin) refused to fight in Iraq and left the British Army over such illegal USA tactics. For both moral and legal reasons, soldiers should refuse to fight and leave the Coalition Forces in Iraq.
In Iraq, the horrific reactionary violence from insurgency groups, and sectarian violence, is increasing daily. We appeal to these groups to stop their violence and enter into all-inclusive dialogue with all parties to the conflict in order to get justice and uphold human rights and international law. Iraqi people are demanding their right to determine their own political future and for the Coalition Forces to leave their country and this right must be respected. The vicious cycle of violence can be broken, and the following steps by the USA government will help begin a peace process: l)USA assuring Iraqis they no longer want to manipulate control over their resources; 2) immediate closure of US military bases in Iraq; 3) withdrawal of US troops; 4) canceling by IMF of Iraqis debts; 5) reparations for the suffering caused by 13 years of economic sanctions and military bombing; and 6) above all the USA/UK saying that they are sorry to the Iraqi people.
Mairead Corrigan Maguire received the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize and the 1991 Nuclear Age Peace Foundation Distinguished Peace Leadership Award. |
