UNAMI Human Rights Office conducts training on national and international fair trial rights

Kirkuk, Iraq, 28 May 2019 - The Human Rights Office (HRO) of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Iraqi Bar Association-Kirkuk Chapter jointly conducted a training session on “Understanding national and international fair trial guarantees” on 27 May 2019. Seven practicing lawyers, including one woman, participated in the training, which was followed by an interactive plenary discussion. The training is the second of a series of training sessions lined up this year for members of the Iraqi Bar Association in Kirkuk.

The training included a presentation on the rights of an accused person under Iraqi law and procedure, which was delivered by a recognised criminal law expert, local lawyer Muyad Obaid Alezzi. It also included a presentation by HRO on the international fair trial guarantees as provided for in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iraq is a state party.

The training stressed the protection of human rights while countering terrorism is an obligation of States, and that the protection of human rights is a condition for an effective counter-terrorism strategy. It was also demonstrated that all counter-terrorism measures must comply with States’ international human rights obligations, including the right to a fair trial. This is essential in ensuring the proper administration of justice.

Photos: UNAMI PIO/Harith Al-Obaidi