The training, attended by 11 representatives of civil society organizations working in the field of protection from enforced disappearances
The Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) conducted a one-day training for civil society organizations on ‘United Nations Human Rights System on Protection from and Prevention of Enforced Disappearances’ held in Baghdad. The training, attended by 11 representatives of civil society organizations working in the field of protection from enforced disappearances, was delivered by three international experts: two members of the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances and a representative of the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and Arab Region. Participants discussed the key role of civil society organizations in promoting protection against enforced disappearances, including by providing support to victims and their families to obtain justice and redress, as well as through their engagement with UN Treaty Body Mechanisms. Participants also discussed the urgent need for the enactment of a comprehensive national law on the protection of all persons from enforced disappearances, in line with Iraq’s international human rights obligations. Speaking at the event, Mr Rupert White, the Officer in Charge of UNAMI Human Rights Office emphasized that "addressing the continuing problem of enforced disappearance in Iraq requires a coordinated response by all stakeholders and Iraqi civil society plays a key role in encouraging the Government of Iraq to take all necessary steps to put an end to enforced disappearance, provide redress to victims and hold the perpetrators to account.”