Security
The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces hosted the inaugural meeting of the Committee for Monitoring Sectarian Discourse of Ethnic and Racial Nature on Tuesday. The session saw the presence of the Director of the Office, First Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, Committee Chairman Lieutenant General Saad Maan, and representatives from various security agencies. This foundational meeting is a significant step within ongoing efforts aimed at solidifying social peace and preserving Iraq's national fabric by confronting inciting rhetoric that promotes sedition and division. During the meeting, the Director of the Commander-in-Chief's Office underscored the imperative to deal firmly and strictly with all instances of incitement and sectarian discourse, irrespective of the parties or entities responsible. Al-Shammari stressed that the application of law in this regard must be comprehensive, fair, and without exception, to ensure deterrence against those who seek to destabilize security. Al-Shammari further highlighted the committee's crucial role in enhancing security stability, fostering social peace, establishing coexistence, and safeguarding Iraq's national cohesion. This is to be achieved by moving away from rhetoric and practices that could ignite strife or deepen societal divisions. He clarified that the judiciary would serve as the decisive authority in taking legal actions and issuing judgments against promoters of sectarian discourse, in accordance with prevailing laws, thereby ensuring justice and protecting citizens' rights. First Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari also emphasized the necessity of organizing the committee's work efficiently. This involves a clear distribution of roles and responsibilities and the establishment of precise operational mechanisms to help accomplish assigned tasks and achieve intended objectives. For his part, Committee Chairman Lieutenant General Saad Maan affirmed the committee's commitment to carrying out its duties with high professionalism and responsibility. He explained that the committee would focus on monitoring and tracking rhetoric containing inciting sectarian, ethnic, or racial content, adhering strictly to approved legal frameworks. Maan commended the valuable directives from the Director of the Commander-in-Chief's Office, considering them a stable framework and methodology for the committee's upcoming work. This, he noted, would bolster its capacity to curb hate speech, support community security, and contribute to consolidating national unity.
