Under the auspices of Mr. Mohsen Al-Mandlawi, Acting Speaker of the Parliament, the Human Rights Committee, chaired by MP Arshad Al-Salehi, organized the First National Forum for the National Human Rights Plan 2021-2025 in the Constitutional Hall today, Monday. The meeting was attended by committee members, the Ministers of Justice, Migration, and Displacement, an advisor to the Prime Minister, as well as various executive, judicial, diplomatic, and international figures.
The forum began with a speech by Mr. Al-Mandlawi, who stated, “Human rights are a supreme value that humanity cannot continue without safeguarding and protecting.” He pointed out that Iraq has witnessed transformations affecting the reality of human rights since the dawn of civilizations, passing through dark stages, most notably the despotic rule that witnessed the worst forms of violations and abuses of human rights. He added, “After 2003 and the dawn of a new era, Iraqis breathed freedom, inspired by the hope of democracy, which is a guarantee of their rights. The biggest challenges were the emergence of the dark ISIS gangs that violated human rights at all levels.”
Mr. Al-Mandlawi emphasized, “The official stance of the Iraqi state since the change and until now has been and remains to enhance capacities in the field of human rights.” He stressed the Parliament’s keenness to resolve the Commissioners Council of the High Commission for Human Rights and to promote the culture of human rights, as well as parliamentary oversight of executive officials in implementing them correctly. He also emphasized the Council’s commitment to fulfilling Iraq’s local and international obligations in enhancing human rights.
MP Arshad Al-Salehi explained that holding the First National Forum for the National Plan aims to support the Parliament’s presidency and the Human Rights Committee in fulfilling Iraq’s commitments to the United Nations and the international community. He highlighted the Committee’s efforts to solidify and protect human rights by translating international commitments into effective and productive measures, as well as monitoring the implementation of the national human rights plan.
During the meeting, Mr. Khalid Shwani, the Minister of Justice, outlined the provisions of the national plan related to implementing international resolutions to which Iraq has acceded. He stated that the Human Rights Department compiled recommendations and the roadmap for the national plan and distributed them to government institutions. He added that the Ministry of Justice is actively working to promote human rights principles and improve Iraq’s position in the international community.
Ms. Ivan Faiq, the Minister of Migration and Displacement, emphasized their ministry’s efforts to implement the national plan’s recommendations regarding vulnerable groups of displaced persons, through their return to their former areas and addressing the effects left by the terrorist ISIS gangs. She called for concerted efforts, both governmental and international, to contribute to the issue of return and the closure of displacement camps, noting the challenges facing the ministry’s work.
Mr. Zaidan Khleif, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Human Rights, clarified that the Prime Minister is keen on implementing the national human rights plan, including the return of displaced persons, empowering women, supporting minorities, and disbursing compensation for displaced persons according to a Cabinet decision to grant 4 million dinars, among other issues. He indicated that the government is proceeding with opening administrative units and service departments in Sinjar district and initiating work to create suitable conditions for the return of displaced persons to the district.
The forum concluded with the reading of recommendations and agreement to send them to relevant ministries and authorities for consideration.
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