UN Security Council Briefing Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan

Madame President,

Distinguished representatives of Council members,

Allow me to begin by expressing my joy to seeing (a dear friend and colleague) preside over the work of the Council. Let me express my profound appreciation to members of this esteemed Council for their attention, support, and guidance. I am so delighted to seeing the distinguished representatives of Iraq and Kuwait participate in today’s session. A word of gratitude must be given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his continued engagement in the Middle East, including his recent visit to Baghdad for the Arab Summit.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

Between my last report, six months ago, and now so many things have happened in Iraq which I will not list here, however, with your permission, I would like to mention the most notable developments at the forefront of which is Iraq’s drive towards more stability, more prosperity, and closer regional integration. 

My profound appreciation goes to the Government of Iraq for the humanitarian aid it has provided to the people of Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria. Not to mention, its support to the new peace initiative between Türkiye and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which, if implemented in good faith, will bring peace, security, and stability to the region at large. 

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

Iraq is well on its way to another national parliamentary election, set for 11thof November this year. Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), with UNAMI’s technical support, are making notable progress in preparing for this election. Voter registration is set to conclude in the coming days and nearly three-quarters of total voters have completed biometric registration so far.

Yes, there are challenges, including logistical concerns. But IHEC is committed to doing its best towards a free, fair and transparent election, with the participation of all Iraqis without fear and intimidation. UNAMI will spare no effort in providing the most professional technical support towards this end, including efforts to promote the widest participation of women, youth and minorities.

Meanwhile, six months after the successful parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq last October, the formation of a regional government is still pending. Needless to say, a spirit of compromise, focusing on shared objectives rather than partisan divisions, is the key to overcome this protracted impasse. There is no doubt in my mind that the concerned parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will be able to form a competent government that will serve the interests of the people of Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Iraq at large.

In here, I would further like to emphasize that the Baghdad-Erbil relationship is a partnership that necessitates ongoing dialogue and collaboration, grounded in the Constitution of Iraq, to effectively address and resolve any outstanding issues between the two sides.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

More than 800 Iraqis returned ten days ago from al-Hol camp in northeast Syria to Al Amal center in Iraq, showing the Government of Iraq's commitment to accelerating the return process of its citizens with the support of the United Nations. It is nevertheless essential that adequate resources are invested in supporting a dignified reintegration of returning families, and in ensuring a fair judicial process for the detainees who are being repatriated. And, while Iraq continues to make important strides in addressing returns from northeast Syria, the situation of Iraq’s internally displaced persons continues to demand urgent attention.

Hundreds of thousands of individuals remain displaced in Iraq, including 100,000 primarily Yazidis from Sinjar who live in IDP camps and informal settlements throughout Iraq under precarious conditions. Yes, the Government of Iraq's recent recognition of Yazidis land rights, with over 1,300 ownership letters and nearly 100 title deeds distributed this year, was a significant milestone. The Iraqi government has also been proactive in offering compensation to Yazidi survivors and other minorities. However, creating sustainable conditions for the returns require more coherent political, administrative and security measures, in addition to significant investment in job creation and local services. The Government of Iraq needs to accelerate the adoption of a comprehensive national plan for durable solutions. The return process cannot just be physical relocation, it needs to be a meaningful process that rebuilds lives, livelihoods, and hope for the future.

I say it loudly that the Yazidi’s in Iraq have suffered immensely beyond description at the hands of ISIS, and we in the United Nations, through you and your support, call on those concerned in Iraq and the (neighboring countries) to take all necessary measure to protect this community and restore their dignity, respect, appreciation and rightful humanitarian standing. Especially given that, to this day, a number of Yazidi men and women remain in a state of near-forced captivity after Da’esh ravaged their lives, Iraq, and the region as a whole. We believe it is essential to end this injustice against the indigenous Iraqi Yazidi people and to ensure their return to their homes and areas with dignity and honor.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

Commitment to human rights is at the heart of Iraq’s stability and development. In January, Iraq was reviewed by the Human Rights Council under the Universal Periodic Review, a process designed to support and expand the promotion and protection of human rights in every country. A total of 263 recommendations are currently being considered by Iraq for adoption at the next session of the Human Rights Council. Progress is also being made on a draft law on minority rights and towards the adoption of a national strategy to counter hate speech. The United Nations is ready to continue supporting these and other human rights initiatives and engage with the Government of Iraq – our partner and the partner to the United Nations - in exploring options for continuing such support after UNAMI’s departure.

Among the files related to human rights that must be addressed immediately and without delay is the file of the missing individuals and those imprisoned without fair, transparent, and legal trials. However, our confidence in the Iraqi judiciary is very strong, and we hope that all these matters will be addressed according to Iraqi laws and regulations, in a way that restores hope to thousands of families who have long awaited news of the fate of their loved ones. We believe that the Iraq of the future must be reconciled with itself and its neighbors, and Iraq is capable of that, based on equality and justice for all. I mean here justice and equality for all Iraqi’s regardless of their affiliation. This is the Iraq that we aspire to see, and we have total confidence in the ability of Iraq and Iraqis to achieve that.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

Turning to the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, I welcome the increase in field missions and the use of advanced technology to identify potential burial sites. However, there is a need to redouble these efforts, strengthen cooperation and coordination, including in the search for witnesses, towards finding the remains of the 300 Kuwaiti missing persons and provide long-overdue answers to their families. 

I also reiterate the importance to expedite the search to locate and return missing property, including the national archives of Kuwait, especially after the recent welcome decision to reactivate the Iraq-Kuwait joint committee on missing Kuwaiti property.

On other outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait, the resumption of meetings of the Iraq-Kuwait joint technical and legal committees concerned with the delimitation of the maritime border beyond marker 162 is a welcome development. Continued efforts to rebuild trust and confidence between the two brotherly countries are essential for forging a more stable and cooperative future.

We highly appreciate the positions of the Iraqi President and the Iraqi Prime Minister regarding the decision of the Supreme Constitutional Court regarding the so called "Khor Abdulla" agreement. We can only emphasize the importance of making decisions that contribute to maintaining security and stability, respecting the principles of the United Nations Charter, fostering good neighbourly relations, and refraining from interference in internal affairs. We also take this opportunity to reiterate UNAMI’S offer to extend its good offices in this regard should both sides request it.  

In this context, allow me to point a fact that the State of Kuwait was a victim of invasion… to turn the page on the past, there must be serious and joint efforts to restore confidence. This needs practical steps and promises translated into reality, away from politicization, with focus on what unites the two countries and the brotherly people, in a way that strengthens partnership and positive relations, and promotes unity over division.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

With just over six months remaining before UNAMI’s mandate ends, I would like to assure members of the Council that the Mission continues to pursue a structured transition according to schedule and in close cooperation with the Government of Iraq, whom I would like to warmly thank for their help, assistance and coordination. I would also like to report to the esteemed Council that we have closed UNAMI’s offices in Mosul and Kirkuk and we are gradually reducing our staffing levels, seeking to balance the Mission drawdown with our continuing mandated tasks, and this, as you are aware, in a context of serious financial constraints impacting the United Nations as a whole.

I wish to reiterate my confidence in the resilience of the Iraqi people and the determination of their leaders. Iraq is a nation of profound history, strength, potential, and pride. By working together, Iraqis can continue to make meaningful strides towards further stability, prosperity and human rights for all.

I conclude my remarks by reiterating my complete confidence in Iraq and Iraqi people and the ability of this ancient nation, which is among the founders of the United Nations, to reclaim its civilization status. We in the United Nations are committed to support and assist Iraq and the Iraqi people to the best of our ability, and we will spare no effort in achieving that, based on our belief in this country, its capabilities and the potential of its people.

Thank you.