UN Secretary-General's Special Representative Meets with Iraq’s Minister of Justice

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan, met today with the Iraqi Minister of Justice, Dr. Khalid Shwani, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baghdad.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest between the United Nations and the Government of Iraq, with a particular focus on the completion of the official and sustainable entitlement of the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights. Discussions also covered justice sector reform, the promotion of the rule of law, and the improvement of detention conditions in line with international standards.

The meeting also addressed the situation of forcibly disappeared persons, detainees, and prisoners, and stressed the importance of ensuring that citizens who have not been convicted of crimes are allowed to return to their homes, lands, and villages, in accordance with laws and regulations, that are consistent with international human rights principles - based on the respect for dignity and equality before the law for all Iraqis.

The Special Representative reaffirmed the United Nations’ continued support for the Government of Iraq’s efforts to strengthen justice, equality, and accountability, and to combat impunity. He also commended the Ministry of Justice’s positive engagement with the United Nations, in a spirit that reinforces transparency and the rule of law.