العربية
- 20 يناير، 2025
Ufuq Organization for Development places the issue of statelessness in Iraq at the forefront of its priorities. As part of this effort, the organization has produced a series of ten videos within the “#Documenting_Statelessness_Stories” program. This series includes interviews with victims of statelessness, shedding light on their struggles, and features discussions by influential figures who emphasize the significance of the right to nationality as a fundamental prerequisite for justice and equality.
Statelessness is not merely a legal issue; it is a profound humanitarian crisis that touches the core of human dignity. Stateless individuals in Iraq face numerous barriers—they are deprived of access to education, healthcare, job opportunities, and even legal recognition. These challenges exacerbate their marginalization, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
In a diverse, multicultural society like Iraq, ensuring the right to nationality is essential for fostering social cohesion and stability. Through its work, Ufuq aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes the building of just and inclusive societies. The organization strives to raise awareness among the public and decision-makers about the importance of addressing this crisis through legal reforms that guarantee every individual their rightful legal identity.
Note: All videos include English subtitles.
The Series
Video 1 | What is Statelessness?
Despite the reported decline in the number of stateless individuals according to government statistics, Ufuq is actively documenting the stories of those affected by statelessness. This video highlights the importance of obtaining legal documents to secure a stable future and underscores the legal gaps that have exacerbated these individuals’ suffering.
Video 2 | A Conversation with Mr. Hisham Al-Dhahabi on Stateless Children
“The real tragedy is that children, the victims, are held accountable for circumstances beyond their control.”
This video features Mr. Hisham Al-Dhahabi, who shares stories of stateless children suffering from severe violations. Ufuq works to document these cases and raise awareness about the need to empower these children with their basic rights.
Video 3 | Is History Repeating Itself?
“I hope there will be legal safeguards to protect my children and grandchildren.”
In this video, Ms. Basma Fayli recounts her harrowing experience with forced displacement and the revocation of citizenship during the 1980s. The video stresses the importance of legal reforms to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
Video 4 | Rights Begin with Nationality
The video emphasizes the critical distinction between being an individual and a citizen, highlighting nationality as the legal foundation of rights. According to Article 18 of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution, everyone has the right to nationality. The video outlines Ufuq’s efforts to address this gap and advocate for reforms, featuring insights from Mr. Ali Bakht Al-Tamimi, Head of Ufuq Organization for Development.
Video 5 | What Are the Solutions?
“Invisible Wounds” encapsulates the silent suffering of thousands of stateless individuals. This video sheds light on their challenges and advocates for sustainable solutions to achieve justice and equality.
Video 6 | A Discussion with Journalist Rafif Al-Hafiz
Journalist Rafif Al-Hafiz discusses the legal frameworks that perpetuate statelessness in Iraq. This video explores the necessary legal reforms to bridge these gaps and ensure individuals’ basic rights are upheld.
Video 7 | The Plight of the Roma People
Mr. Khairi, a member of the Roma community in Iraq, shares his experiences of marginalization and statelessness. The video underscores the importance of granting legal recognition to such communities to ensure justice and equality.
Video 8 | The Forgotten Struggles of Assyrians
This video highlights the role of cultural diversity in fostering social cohesion in multicultural societies. Through a dialogue with Mr. Rajab Assi from the Yarsani community, he emphasizes the need for legal recognition and participation to combat statelessness and promote inclusion.
Video 9 | Statelessness Among the Yarsani
The video explores the challenges faced by the Yarsani community in Iraq due to statelessness. It emphasizes the need for legal reforms to ensure equality and safeguard their rights, shedding light on their marginalization and lack of legal recognition.
Video 10 | Stateless Children in Conflict Zones
“Invisible Wounds” delves into the suffering of children in conflict zones, focusing on the severe violations that lead to statelessness. The video highlights how the absence of nationality deprives children of essential rights, such as education and healthcare, exacerbating their vulnerability.
The journey to address statelessness in Iraq is one of shared responsibility. Through this series, Ufuq Organization sheds light on the profound challenges faced by stateless individuals and emphasizes the urgency of legal and social reforms. Every story documented in these videos is a call to action—for policymakers, civil society, and the public—to work collectively toward ensuring the right to nationality for all. Together, we can build a future where no one is left invisible, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and equality.