Iraq’s newly appointed government must listen to public concerns when shaping its policies, the UN envoy to the country, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said on Tuesday.
Mustafa Al Kadhimi was designated Iraqi Prime Minister last week after two earlier candidates failed to form a government.
Mr Al Kadhimi faces the daunting task of rebuilding Iraq's shattered economy, fighting the coronavirus pandemic and curbing corruption.
“The courageous conviction expressed by countless Iraqis in recent months; their hopes and demands remain burning issues and I hope they should guide the new government,” Ms Hennis-Plasschaert told the UN Security Council.
She said Iraq's challenges "did not arise overnight" and time was not on its side.
“I remain convinced that a more just, prosperous and resilient Iraq can emerge from the current compounded crises," Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said.
"But for that to happen, political will is fundamental."
Since assuming office, Mr Al Kadhimi promised to seek justice and compensation to relatives of people killed in last year's mass anti-government protests.
On Sunday, the Supreme Judiciary Council said it ordered the release of protesters detained since demonstrations erupted last October, in line with the prime minister’s call.
There is no indication that anyone has yet been released.
“The new prime minister’s worthy aspirations must be turned into action urgently," Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said.
"And let me emphasise that Iraq does not have the luxury of time, nor can it afford destructive petty politics."
Public trust in the political elite appears to be at "an all-time low" given the large quantities of "unfinished business", she said.
During the first wave of the demonstrations, security forces and militias were behind the killing of more than 500 protesters but dozens were also kidnapped by armed gangs.
Mr Al Kadhimi vowed to find the truth about what happened during the months-long demonstrations and promised to hold to account all those "who shed Iraqi blood".
Iraq has placed strict measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus since its outbreak. The country has 2,913 infected cases and 112 deaths.
"Necessary curfews have brought commercial activity to a near standstill, imperilling the already problematic livelihoods of many Iraqis who rely on daily earnings to feed themselves and their families," Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said.
She said decreased economic opportunities and continuing corruption brought the threat of more unrest.
Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said Iraq's lack of diversification has laid bare the depth of its economic vulnerabilities.
"Broadening the revenue base of the country must become a primary policy objective," she said.
Ms Hennis-Plasschaert urged Mr Al Kadhimi to take policies and action to ensure "the coronavirus threats do not reverse hard-won security and economic gains".
She said that although the new government faced many challenges, the opportunities were limitless.
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England XI for second Test
Rory Burns, Keaton Jennings, Ben Stokes, Joe Root (c), Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes (wk), Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jack Leach, James Anderson
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
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Anti-semitic attacks
The annual report by the Community Security Trust, which advises the Jewish community on security , warned on Thursday that anti-Semitic incidents in Britain had reached a record high.
It found there had been 2,255 anti-Semitic incidents reported in 2021, a rise of 34 per cent from the previous year.
The report detailed the convictions of a number of people for anti-Semitic crimes, including one man who was jailed for setting up a neo-Nazi group which had encouraged “the eradication of Jewish people” and another who had posted anti-Semitic homemade videos on social media.
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
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more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
