The article, entitled: “Iraq to hold first human rights film festival” and dated, “12:07 February 15, 2012”, was published on the Gulf News website (Gulf News). The article discusses news that the Iraqi Association for the Support of Culture and Independent Film & Television College, has released information about the first Iraqi film festival, devoted to the promotion of human rights, that will be held between February 26th and 28th. The festival will focus on films that discuss three central areas of interest: violence and discrimination against women, children’s rights, and freedom of thought and expression (Gulf News). It states that these films will each be followed up by discussion groups made up of people who include academics, experts in the field of Iraqi human rights, and researchers. It is clear that there is some intention to raise contentious issues concerning Iraq’s less than square record with human rights, as well as looking to the future, given the massive changes that the country has seen in the past ten years. The article states: “Organisers hope it will help Iraqis understand and claim their human rights” (Gulf News).
The article goes on to discuss how the festival has received support from serious main-players in the areas of human rights: People in Need, UNDP, Unesco, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (Gulf News), suggesting that the festival will hold a strong emphasis on progress and moving forwards from Iraq’s past. It seems prudent that this festival should be taking place now, given that the Washington Post reported, five days ago, that Iraq has already executed sixty-five people in 2012 so far (Associated Press). Clearly, there is still a significant proportion of the Iraq population and government who require education in the basic human rights that people should be able to claim. The article presents a strong view that the festival is a positive thing and, in the light of the Washington Post article, it is clear that it has its work cut out. The festival presents a positive approach to modern human rights and as such, it presents a modern Iraq which is ready to move forwards and away from its bloody past.
References
“Human Rights Watch: Iraq has executed at least 65 people in 2012, despite ‘flawed’ trials.” WashingtonPost.com. Associated Press. 9 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.
“Iraq to hold first human rights film festival.” Gulfnews.com. Gulf News. 15 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.
