COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ORDER NUMBER 1
DE-BAATHIFICAION 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 Baath Party,
Noting the grave concern of Iraqi society regarding the threat posed by the continuation
of Baath Party networks and personnel in the administration of Iraq, and the intimidation
of the people of Iraq by Baath Party officials,
Concerned by the continuing threat to the security of the Coalition Forces posed by the
Iraqi Baath Party,
I hereby promulgate the following:
Section 1
Disestablishment of the Baath Party
1) On April 16, 2003 the Coalition Provisional Authority disestablished the Baath
Party of Iraq. This order implements that 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 Baathist
elements returning to power and that those in positions of authority in the future
are acceptable to the people of Iraq.
2) Full members of the Baath 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 hereby 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 Baath Party, and subject to investigation for criminal conduct
CPA/ORD/16 May 2003/01

and risk to security. Any such persons determined to be full members of the Baath
Party shall be removed from their employment. This includes those holding the
more junior ranks of 'Udw (Member) and 'Udw 'Amil (Active Member), as well
as those determined to be Senior Party Members.
4) Displays in government buildings or public spaces of the image or likeness of
Saddam Hussein or other readily identifiable members of the former regime or of
symbols of the Baath Party or the former regime are hereby prohibited.
5) Rewards shall be made available for information leading to the capture of senior
members of the Baath party and individuals complicit in the crimes of the former
regime.
6) The Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority or his designees may
grant exceptions to the above guidance on a case-by-case basis.
Section 2
Entry into Force
This Order shall enter into force on the date of signature.
5/16/03
Walkers
L. Paul Bremer, Administrator
Coalition Provisional Authority
2
CPA/ORD/16 May 2003/01