Media – Parliament Members discuss draft-law on Journalists Protection in Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A number of Iraq’s Parliament Members, the Chairman of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, media members and lawmen, have discussed in a symposium in Baghdad on Saturday night, the draft-law on the Protection of Journalists in Iraq.   The symposium, attended by IraqiNews.com’s correspondent in Baghdad, listened to speeches by the Chairman of the Parliament’s Integrity Commission, Bahaa al-Aaaraji, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament’s Legal Committee, Amir al-Kinani, the Chairman of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, Moayad al-Lamy and the Chief of al-Sabah al-Jadid Press Institution, Ismail Zayir.   “The Journalists Syndicate had formed four specialized committees to carry out necessary adjustments on the draft-law, who were selected attentively, and who have completed their proposals and laid necessary adjustments to the said draft-law,” the correspondent noted.   The Chairman of the Iraqi Journalist Syndicate, Moayad al-Lamy, said in his speech that the draft-law had undergone several proposals and discussions, followed by amendments.  Al-Lamy noted that the number of journalists killed over the past few months increased, criticizing the former Parliament which he said had delayed the promulgation of the law.   Aaraji, for his part, said that the Parliament and political parties members were not behind the delay in passing the said law, charging what he described as “hidden hands, including the occupation forces,” with being behind the promulgation of the Journalist Protection Law.   The outstanding Legal Expert, Tareq Harb, said that the articles of the law had been written by Iraqi hands, including the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, supported by legal experts, Academy Members and leaders of media institutions.   SKH (TR)/SR 408