“The human rights situation in Iraq remains fragile as the country continues its transition from years of dictatorship, conflict, and violence, to peace and democracy,” states a United Nations report for 2011 on the human rights situation in Iraq.
Periodic reports on the human rights situation in Iraq are prepared and published by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in cooperation with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) pursuant to Resolution 1770 on the mandate of UNAMI and other relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
The report recognizes that the Government of Iraq made some progress in implementing measures to protect and promote the human rights of the Iraqi people. However, the impact of these measures on the overall human rights situation remained limited.
“Steps have been taken to improve the human rights record of Iraq, including the establishment of the much needed Independent Human Rights Commission on 9 April 2012, but a lot more needs to be done. Human rights, including social and economic rights, need to be enforced, respected and protected for all Iraqis everywhere in Iraq,” said the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Martin Kobler, commenting on the report.
“This report highlights a number of shortcomings, some of which are of serious concern and need to be urgently addressed by the Iraqi authorities. There is no democracy without respect for human rights,” Martin Kobler added.
The report indicates that the overall human rights situation in the Kurdistan Region continued to improve, and notes in particular the significant legislative reforms undertaken by the Kurdistan Regional Government. However, there remain concerns about important shortcomings in respect for freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and the protection of journalists.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said the persistently high number of civilian casualties was deeply troubling and called on all parties to respect international law and to exercise restraint.
“The report highlights serious concerns about the administration of justice and the lack of respect for due process rights in Iraq,” Pillay said. “Individuals continue to be arrested and detained for prolonged periods without being charged and without access to legal counsel. Prisoner and detainee abuse and torture are also occurring across the country. I urge the Iraqi authorities to prioritise the firm establishment of the rule of law and human rights in Iraq and bring an end to such abuses.”
Pillay also stressed that the right to freedom of expression was fundamental to the development of a strong civil society and called on the authorities to ensure that journalists and human rights defenders are able to perform their crucial work without fear of harassment and violence.
The information included in the report has been gathered from direct monitoring by UNAMI as well as from a variety of other sources, including Government, UN agencies, civil society, individuals and media reports.
