UN RIGHTS OFFICE, ASSISTANCE MISSION TO IRAQ HOLD WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL IRAQI RIGHTS INSTITUTION

11 March 2006

Iraqi Government officials, members of the country?s Council of Representatives, civil society organizations and United Nations workers came together in Larnaca, Cyprus, from 8 to 10 March to discuss the establishment of a national human rights commission in Iraq.

The workshop aimed at laying the groundwork for the building of an independent national human rights commission for Iraq, as provided for in the Constitution approved by referendum last October. In a message conveyed to the meeting, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said the establishment of a commission is part of the process of creating a strong national protection system in Iraq, as it could help ensure the provision of remedies for human rights violations and contribute to the building of a culture of human rights.

Nermin Othman, Acting Minister of Human Rights of Iraq, also delivered opening remarks in which she encouraged all present to air their views for the benefit of all, including the representatives from other national human rights commissions.

During the workshop, participants discussed a range of topics including the independence of a national human rights commission; core functions of a national human rights commission; its structure and methodology; legal provisions; and best practices from other similar commissions. Interventions were made by representatives from the Afghan and Malaysian national human rights commissions. The participants adopted a Statement of Principles and Plan of Action for follow up work toward the creation of the commission in Iraq.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) organized the workshop.