Order 1: De-Ba`athification of Iraqi Society

by L. Paul Bremer, Coalition Provisional Authority

COALITON PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ORDER NUMBER 1

DE-BA`ATHIFICATION OF IRAQI SOCIETY

Pursuant to my authority as Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA),
relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, and the laws and usages of war,

Recognizing that the Iraqi people have suffered large scale human rights abuses and
depravations over many years at the hands of the Ba`ath Party,

Noting the grave concern of Iraqi society regarding the threat posed by the continuation
of Ba`ath Party networks and personnel in the administration of Iraq, and the intimidation
of the people of Iraq by Ba`ath Party officials,

Concerned by the continuing threat to the security of the Coalition Forces posed by the
Iraqi Ba`ath Party,

I hereby promulgate the following:

Section 1
Disestablishment of the Ba`ath Party


1) On April 16, 2003 the Coalition Provisional Authority disestablished the Ba`ath
Party of Iraq. This order implements the declaration by eliminating the party’s
structures and removing its leadership from positions of authority and
responsibility in Iraqi society. By this means, the Coalition Provisional Authority
will ensure that representative government in Iraq is not threatened by Ba`athist
elements returning to power ant that those in positions of authority in the future
are acceptable to the people of Iraq.

2) Full members of the Ba`ath Party holding the ranks of ‘Udw Qutriyya (Regional
Command Member), ‘Udw Far’ (Branch Member). ‘Udw Shu’bah (Section
Member), and ‘Udw Firqah (Group Member) (together, “Senior Party Members”)
are herby removed from their positions and banned from future employment in
the public sector. These Senior Party Members shall be evaluated for criminal
conduct or threat to the security of the Coalition. Those suspected of criminal
conduct shall be investigated and, if deemed a threat to security or a flight risk,
detained or placed under house arrest.

3) Individuals holding positions in the top three layers of management in every
national government ministry, affiliated corporations and other government
institutions (e.g., universities and hospitals) shall be interviewed for possible
affiliation with the Ba`ath Party, and subject to investigation for criminal conduct
and risk to security. Any such persons detained to be full members of the Ba`ath
Party shall be removed from their employment. This includes those

CPA/ORD/16 May 2003/01

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