UNAMI Human Rights Office facilitates high-level policy dialogue on accountability for gender-related killings Erbil, 27 June 2022 - In line with its mandate to strengthen the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations in Iraq, UNAMI’s Hu

UNAMI’s Human Rights Office (HRO) convened in Erbil a high-level policy dialogue aimed at enabling a structured forum to enhance capacities and build political will to investigate and prosecute gender-related killings, thereby increasing accountability for such crimes.  Participants included the High Council for Women and Development in KR, investigative judges, criminal court judges, the Directorate of Combating Violence against Women and Family and UNFPA.

Ms. Danielle Bell, the Chief of UNAMI HRO and Country Representative for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), affirmed that a lack of accountability for gender-related killings sends a dangerous signal to potential perpetrators, noting that impunity serves to normalize violence, while justice reinforces global norms and protection.

During the event, participants explained their work on gender-based killings, progress towards accountability concerning cases reported in 2021 and the challenges they face in their work. The dialogue also allowed participants to share perspectives on better case management to ensure that perpetrators of gender-based violence are held accountable for their crimes.  Participants made concrete recommendations on a structured way of ensuring that perpetrators of gender-related killings are held accountable for their crimes. UNAMI HRO will continue to work with relevant stakeholders as part of collective efforts towards addressing and preventing gender-based violence.