About NASUWT

1. About NASUWT • NASUWT is the largest trade union representing 285,000 teachers and headteachers in the UK. • The Union is led by the General Secretary Chris Keates. • Every year the Union holds Annual Conference to debate the issues affecting teachers’ working lives. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

2. NASUWT International Work • NASUWT officially supports trade unions in four countries: Burma, Iraq, Zimbabwe and Colombia • NASUWT is represented on the Executive Board of Education International, a federation of international trade unions • For further information go to www.nasuwt.org.uk/International NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

3. Iraq – Life Under Saddam Iraq was ruled by a brutal dictator for many years named Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi dictatorship brutalised and murdered people within their own country and denied them even basic human rights such as freedom of speech. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

4. Iraq – Key facts • Population: 34 million • Official Language: Arabic, Kurdish • Currency: Iraqi Dinar NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

5. The Iraq War Governments including those from the UK and the USA waged a controversial war against Saddam Hussein which led to his removal in 2003. NASUWT – Supporting TeachersAround The World

6. Post-War Chaos • Although the dictatorship was removed, this led to a civil war which British and American forces were unable to effectively deal with. • Many people continued to be killed during this period and democratic structures were difficult to develop both because of the previous dictatorship and because of the civil war. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

7. Human Rights & Democracy • Although the situation has improved in Iraq over the last two years, violent attacks are still common and basic structures including trade unions are still developing. • The NASUWT is involved in developing trade unions in Iraq and promoting human rights. In recent years this has included visits, donations, targeted protests, contacting politicians in the UK to remind them that these problems still exist in Iraq and inviting speakers to discuss their problems. • The NASUWT has been involved in regular training programmes with Iraqi trade unions including regular trips to the UK. Abdullah Muhsin: Iraqi teacher trade union representative NASUWT – Supporting TeachersAround The World

8. Women’s Rights In Iraq • Women were oppressed during the dictatorship under Saddam Hussein but unfortunately since the Iraq war the process of furthering women’s rights was not prioritised by the Coalition Forces. • This has meant that women are still, all too often, treated as second class citizens and are subject to discrimination and violence. • The United Nations, as a result of lobbying by women’s rights groups and other organisations such as trade unions, drafted a National Development Plan for Iraq which includes gender equality as an objective. It is clear, however, that despite this significant step, progress is slow for the achievement of true gender equality.

9. Activities You could: • Use the information and photos in the presentation to produce a fact file of the key issues in Iraq. • Use the information and photos you have researched to write a letter to your MP about the issues in Iraq. • Use the information and photos within the presentation and on the linked websites to produce a campaigning leaflet or poster identifying why people should support a campaign for human rights in Iraq. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

10. Links • For further information on the NASUWT’s campaigns visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/Iraq • To write a letter to your MP visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/ContactYourMP NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World