UNITAD and Iraq: Cooperation with Third States

Since its establishment, UNITAD, in close cooperation with Iraq, played a pivotal role in supporting domestic efforts relating to the investigation of crimes committed by ISIL (Da’esh) in Iraq to ensure justice is also served in third States. The Team received some 300 requests for assistance from twenty-one (21) third States, aiding many ISIL (Da’esh)-related national investigations and prosecutions. At least eighteen (18) cases under investigation supported by the Team led to indictments, and at least fifteen (15) cases ultimately ended up in convictions. UNITAD’s support resulted in landmark convictions for international crimes committed in Iraq, including by Iraqi nationals. 

UNITAD’s support of domestic efforts in third States materialized through the identification and interview of relevant witnesses, the use of UNITAD’s archive, in particular for the identification and analysis of key ISIL (Da’esh) internal documents uploaded onto UNITAD’s e-discovery platforms, and the provision of expert testimonies by UNITAD staff members in national criminal proceedings in four countries. 

UNITAD also cooperated with Iraqi investigative judges in building joint casefiles on ISIL (Da’esh) persons of interest residing in third States, including Iraqi nationals, contributing to global accountability efforts in ensuring there are no safe havens for those having committed in Iraq acts that may amount to crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.