UNAMI and UNDP Conclude Training For Mainstreaming Human Rights

The training program conducted in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, between 16-20 December, is part of a large scale project aimed at mainstreaming human rights into the functions of the Ministries of Defense and Interior, and at helping build their capacities in the various areas of human rights.

The Special Representative for the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq Staffan de Mistura said, “The training is part of the United Nations efforts to help Iraqi official institutions establish and garner a culture of respect for Human Rights in Iraq.”

A total of seventeen participants from the Ministry attended this training. They expressed appreciation for the United Nations’ efforts towards enhancing their capabilities in recognizing, defining and monitoring human rights violations in the daily conduct of their duties, and the means for evaluating progress made in that area.

The project includes future training for key staff of the ministries of defense and interior which will take place in early 2009 as well as the review of training manuals and standing orders in order to harmonize them with international human rights standards.