Launching the Iraqi Observatory for Monitoring Democracy from Al-Khuld Hall: From a Symbol of Power to a Platform of Accountability
- 16-09-2025
On the second day of the International Day of Democracy Conference, the launch of the Iraqi Observatory for Monitoring Democracy was officially announced from Al-Khuld Hall inside Baghdad’s International Zone—a venue historically associated with centralized power and closed decision-making circles. The choice of this location carried strong symbolic significance, transforming a space once linked to unilateral governance into a platform for launching a civil initiative dedicated to monitoring democratic performance and holding public institutions accountable.
The event was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, alongside more than 280 political, diplomatic, academic, and media figures, as well as representatives of civil society organizations—reflecting a symbolic transition of the venue from a memory of control to a function of oversight.
During this day, Al-Rasheed Development Center formally announced the establishment of the Iraqi Observatory as an independent civil entity aimed at monitoring democratic performance within legislative and executive institutions, promoting transparency, combating corruption, and supporting the building of institutions grounded in the constitution and the rule of law. The Observatory prioritizes contributing to legislative reform, reducing reliance on unconstitutional laws, strengthening public dialogue, protecting freedoms of thought and expression, safeguarding the right to peaceful protest, and supporting political pluralism beyond sectarian quota systems and patronage networks.
The symbolism of launching the initiative from Al-Khuld Hall lies precisely in this transformation: a venue designed to administer power now serves as a starting point for questioning and monitoring it. The shift from dialogue about democracy to concrete oversight mechanisms reflects the conviction that safeguarding democracy requires more than celebration—it demands independent structures capable of tracking performance, exposing deviations, and proposing alternatives.
The second day also included accompanying activities, such as closed-door sessions dedicated to international and foreign journalists. These sessions featured meetings with Iraqi officials who addressed questions regarding the country’s security and political situation, reflecting an openness toward information exchange and the strengthening of communication channels with international media.
