On team during this period were Rosemarie Milazzo and Chihchun Yuan.

Displaced People

On 1 October, the team and local friends held a Briyani Day in the IDP camp in Bestesen, Zharawa. Around ten kids, seventeen women, and two men joined the picnic. Half of them walked one hour from Zharawa back to the IDP (Internally Displaced People) camp to greet the visitors. The displaced people shared their disappointment in the IDP representatives and local authorities. The visitors tried to steer the conversation toward what those gathered could do to highlight the concerns of displaced peoples.

In the afternoon, the group enjoyed watermelons and exchanged more conversation.  The group decided to visit the mayor’s office together and give him flowers to remind him not to forget the IDP problem.  The appointment with the new mayor was on 10 October. But the IDP leaders met the new mayor instead of the small group that had gathered on Briyani day. The mayor mentioned he followed up on the compensation the IDPs had requested by calling the Governorate office. The official told the new mayor that no request had been submitted.

Two families remained in the IDP camp in Bastesen. The mayor decided to give them some fuel for their heater in winter. The two families felt abandoned by the others. When the delegation visited them on 23 October they were very happy to see visitors.   A man referred to as Uncle Baiyi asked the team visit them more often.

Youth Group

Youth with whom the team was meeting wrote on the topic of Women for October. One article was translated from Turkmen language to English: “Girl’s Life,”available at http://cpt-iraq.blogspot.com/2010/11/girls-life.html

During the activity, the group brainstormed a human rights statement to give the United Nations, available at http://cpt-iraq.blogspot.com/2010/11/statement-from-residents-in-kirkuk-to.html

Delegation

The team hosted one delegation during 17-26 October 2010.  Their writings are available at http://cpt-iraq.blogspot.com/