Iraq
British Ambassador to Baghdad Stephen Hitchen on an episode of Rudaw's Bestoon Talk, broadcasted on August 15, 2024. Photo: Bilind T. Abdullah/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Islamic Dawa Party of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday called on the British ambassador to Baghdad to apologize over “provocative” comments made by the diplomat regarding Iraq’s security situation.
The statement, attributed to the spokesperson of the Dawa politburo, accused Ambassador Stephen Hitchen of violating the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“Mr. Ambassador Hitchen has overstepped his role and diplomatic duties, and violated the international agreement when he made provocative statements that are a veiled message of normalization [with Israel], and others that are far from reality about the security situation in the country,” read the statement.
The Iraqi foreign ministry on Sunday handed Hitchen a protest note over comments the ministry deemed as an “interference” in Iraq’s internal affairs and painted “a bleak picture” of the country. It did not provide details about which comments it was referring to.
On an episode of Rudaw Media Network’s Bestoon Talk broadcasted on Thursday, Hitchen, while acknowledging improvements over the years, criticized the security situation in Iraq as a deterrent for tourists.
“The issue of tourism is that it depends on the security of the country, and the security situation is now a hundred times better than before, but there are threats to British people. There are threats to me personally. Some militias do not like us,” said Hitchen.
“Therefore, it is very difficult for me to encourage, for example my relatives, to come to Iraq if there are threats. This is part of the problem that comes with security chaos and not controlling weapons in the country. But, God willing, I am looking forward to the day tourism returns in large numbers to your beautiful country,” he added.
Dawa claimed that Iraq has been experiencing security and stability since the defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS), citing the crowds marching towards Karbala for Arbaeen pilgrimage as evidence, “while there are countries that are currently being swept by waves of violence, racism, and theft, which has clearly affected tourism.”
The party’s comments could be in regard to the recent spike in anti-immigrant sentiments in the UK, after three children were killed as a result of a stabbing attack in Southport, northern England, in July.
The suspect, Axel Rudakubana, 17, a British citizen of Rwandan descent, was falsely portrayed as an illegal migrant, leading to violent demonstrations from far-right protesters who set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers. The protests led to numerous arrests and the mobilization of around 6,000 specialist officers.
Large counter-protests advocating against racism were held in response, with demonstrators rejecting far-right ideologies.
Millions of Shiite followers from around the world embark upon an annual journey to Karbala to attend the Arbaeen pilgrimage, a significant religious observance for Shiite Muslims which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the death of Imam Hussein, the third Shiite Imam and grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, in 680 AD.
The Dawa spokesperson called on Hitchen to issue “an official apology for his comments that do not serve the relations between the two countries.”
Iraq and the UK share strong relations in the fields of military and security, and signed a Strategic Partnership in 2021, aimed at increasing cooperation in economy, education, culture, and other sectors.
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