Human Shields from Iraq War Announce Book

Stefan Simanowitz, one of the organizers of the human shield group that traveled to Iraq during the recent war, will help to write and co-edit the book along with human shield activist Shane Mulligan. Simanowitz said that the editors would welcome material from any individual who had served as a human shield during the recent conflict in Iraq, adding that almost 30 submissions had been received to date. Writers will receive no payment for their efforts. Simanowitz went on to say, "The book is now at the beginning of the process. The publishing house Faber & Faber will print the book and would definitely like to see the rough draft first. I feel that this book is important both in the sense of future human shield activities and as a historic record."

Visual materials will be used in the book. A group of editors will participate in the project. Participants from Turkey will be involved, as well. Writer Ozcan Yurdalan, who participated in the human shield efforts in Baghdad, stated that he will submit articles about the character of those involved in the project. Yurdalan defined the act of serving as a human shield as one "that people participated in as individuals." When confronted with the allegation that the shield program had failed to prevent the war, Yurdalan said, "This does not mean that the act’s character and manner were wrong. It did influence the world even though the war took place. In a way, it achieved its goal. This was the act of passive resistance. It opened a new horizon for humanity."

Ibrahim Dogan / Istanbul / TURKEY