Launch of Iraq’s Human Rights National Action Plan 26 July 2021

Representative, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Chief, Human Rights Office, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

His Excellency Deputy Minister of Justice, Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak at this important event.

Let me begin by congratulating the Government of Iraq on the adoption and launch of its five year Human Rights National Action Plan.

The endorsement of the Action Plan, and your presence here today, publicly re-affirms the Government’s commitment to uphold its national and international human rights obligations and to improve the lives of all Iraqis based on the inherent dignity and equality of all people.

The Government’s adoption of the National Action Plan, and its corresponding commitment to implement the vision contained in that plan, reflects Iraq’s continued constructive engagement with UNAMI Human Rights Office as well as with the broader UN human rights system, including the relevant UN Treaty Bodies mechanisms.

In seeking to harmonise national legislation with international human rights standards, to strengthen national policies for the protection and promotion of human rights and to build individual and institutional human rights capacities, the National Human Rights Action Plan draws on many of the key observations made by UN Treaty Bodies during their ongoing dialogue with Iraq.

The National Human Rights Action Plan also reflects the comprehensive recommendations made by UN member states during the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), 80% of which relate to Iraq’s commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Iraq’s commitments to protect human rights and promote sustainable development are therefore inextricably linked. In this context the effective implementation of Iraq’s Human Rights National Action Plan is critical to addressing the many underlying issues of discrimination, exclusion, powerlessness, and lack of accountability which can undermine human dignity and prevent sustainable development.

Whilst we acknowledge the many steps already taken by the Government to protect and promote human rights for all Iraqis, significant challenges remain, and UNAMI Human Rights Office stands ready to support the Government to ensure the  Human Rights National Action Plan is fully realized.

Let me provide 3 concrete examples of where UNAMI Human Rights Office is already supporting the government to achieve the objectives set out in the National Human Rights Action Plan.

First, our work to protect human rights in the administration of justice serves to support government efforts to ensure compliance with procedural safeguards to prevent violations such as torture and the discriminatory application of justice. Current activities in this area includes detention monitoring, trial observation and ongoing engagement with justice authorities to promote compliance with fair trial standards and detention safeguards.

Second, through our public reporting on demonstration-related human rights violations we have provided concrete recommendations to the Government with a view to ensuring accountability and preventing future violations. The six public reports we have published on this topic since October have seen some positive results, particularly with regards to enabling large protests to take place safely. Whilst these reports remain the public face of our engagement and cooperation with the government, information sharing with relevant government accountability and fact-finding mechanisms remains an integral part of our work.

Third, we regularly engage with government either directly or through our support to advocacy led by civil society – to promote the enactment or reform of national legislation in compliance with Iraq’s international human rights obligations, including through reviewing or commenting on draft legislation as requested.  Ongoing areas of focus for our advocacy and technical support on legislative reform include the Personal Status Law, the draft Anti Domestic Violence Law, the draft Anti-Torture Law, and the draft Law on Enforced Disappearances.

Excellencies ladies and gentlemen.

The need for strong and coherent action on human rights is more essential than ever.  The Human Rights National Action Plan provides a solid framework for the legislative, policy, procedural and institutional reforms which can prevent human rights violations in the future and which will therefore make a difference to the lives of all Iraqis. 

Respect for human rights must be at the centre of Iraq’s future as a peaceful and democratic state, and I wish you every success in putting the Human Rights National Action Plan into practice.

Thank you