UNAMI Human Rights Office conducts training on national and international fair trial rights

On 5 December, the Human Rights Office (HRO) of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Iraqi Bar Association-Kirkuk Chapter jointly conducted a training session on “Understanding national and international fair trial guarantees.

” Nine defence lawyers, including five women, participated in the training, which was followed by an interactive plenary discussion. The training is the last of the series of similar training sessions that HRO spearheaded this year for members of the Iraqi Bar Association in Kirkuk.

The training included a presentation on the rights of an accused person under Iraqi law and procedure, which was delivered by a prominent Iraqi criminal law expert and professor. It also included a presentation by HRO on the international fair trial guarantees as provided for in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iraq is a state party.

The training stressed that justice delivered in accordance with domestic and international human rights standards is the most effective way to ensure accountability, uphold the rights of victims, and prevent future violations.

Photos: UNAMI PIO/Harith Al-Obaidi

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