WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN IRAQ

That this House notes that, while women in Iraq suffered considerably under Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraq was a secular society in which they were also able to take up employment and participate in public life; further notes that the interim Iraqi Governing Council is considering changing the personal status code which was the legal basis for this; shares the alarm of Iraqi women's organisations at the prospect of retrogressive legislation being introduced; believes that women's full and equal participation in society is a necessary prerequisite for democracy; and supports the legitimate struggle of Iraqi women to defend and improve their human rights.