UM del - 2006-07 - Bilag 34: UNAMI's menneskerettighedsrapport for november-december 2006

1 November - 31 December 2006Summary1. During the reporting period, the Government of Iraq has continued its efforts aimed atstrengthening the administration of justice and building up the rule of law in the country.However,Iraqi justice sector institutions, including prisons, police, the judiciary, and relevantministries still have significant and urgent needs. Courts require adequate facilities, moreinvestigative judges, computerized and integrated management systems and greater security forall judicial personnel. The Iraqi police, however trained, operate without clear standing ordersor effective internal accountability systems. The prisons’ administration faces multiplechallenges, including the need for adequate physical structures, appropriately trained personneland internal implementing regulations.

2. Urgent action is needed to strengthen rule of law institutions, in line with the newConstitution, the Government’s priorities and Iraq’s international obligations. This is central tocreating conditions for re-establishing law and order in the country and ensuring the successand sustainability of security, national reconciliation and development efforts. In particular, theability of new security plans to effect real change in Iraq will depend on a comprehensivereform program that can strengthen the rule of law and deliver justice for all Iraqis.3. The Ministry of Human Rights has re-organized its internal structure and increased itscooperation and coordination with relevant Ministries, state entities and human rights NGOs.This should result in greater transparency with respect to the work of the Ministry as well asmore effective follow up action by the Government in connection with recommendations onurgent human rights concerns, such as those relating to conditions of detention, as regularlymade by the Ministry. For the Ministry of Human Rights to meet its responsibilities and fulfilthe aspirations of the Iraqi people, it is essential that it enjoys the support of all GovernmentMinistries as well as of civil society organizations, especially the independent national humanrights commission which is to be established by the Council of Representatives.4. Despite these efforts, enormous challenges remain, complicating or undermining thesteps taken thus far by the Government to address the deteriorating human rights situation inIraq. Action by terrorist groups and sectarian killings which are fuelled by the insurgency,continue to be the main source of violence in the country. The root causes of the sectarianviolence lie in revenge killings and lack of accountability for past crimes as well as in the1

growing sense of impunity for on-going human rights violations. This leads people to take thelaw into their hands and rely on action by militias or criminal gangs.5. It is essential that the State and the Government of Iraq are seen as united in theirefforts to contain and eventually eradicate sectarian violence, to ensure the rule of law and,through that, remove the popular basis of support for the perpetrators of this violence. Indeed,the greater the action in order to fight impunity and seek accountability for crimes, if necessarythrough criminal prosecution, the greater the ability to restore law and order and re-establishfaith in the institutions of the state and in the rule of law. Justice on high visibility cases, suchas Al Jadiriya and Site 4, would go a long way to act also as a powerful deterrent against newviolations and thus reduce and eventually stop the on-going vicious cycle of violence andretaliatory-violence.6. Without significant progress on the rule of law, sectarian violence will continueindefinitely and eventually spiral out of control thus thwarting efforts by the Government in thepolitical, security or economic spheres. UNAMI Human Rights Office (HRO) has continued toreceive information about a large number of indiscriminate and targeted killings. Unidentifiedbodies have appeared daily in Baghdad and other cities. According to information madeavailable to UNAMI, 6,376 civilians were violently killed in November and December 2006,with no less than 4,731 in Baghdad, most of them as a result of gunshot wounds. Compared tothe number killed in September and October, there has been a slight reduction. It is evidenthowever that violence has not been contained but has continued to claim a very high number ofinnocent victims. During 2006, a total of 34,452 civilians have been violently killed and 36,685wounded.7. The civilian population remains the main victim of the prevailing security situationcharacterized by terrorist acts, action by armed groups, criminal gangs, religious extremists,militias, as well as operations by security and military forces. The resulting insecurity,sectarian prejudice, and terror negatively and comprehensively affect the enjoyment of basicrights and freedoms by the population at large. In addition, growing unemployment, poverty,various forms of discrimination and increasingly limited access to basic services, prevent mostcitizens from realizing their economic, social and cultural rights.8. Law enforcement agencies do not provide effective protection to the population of Iraqand increasingly militias and criminal gangs act in collusion with, or have infiltrated thesecurity forces. Operations by security and military forces, including by MNF I, continued toresult in growing numbers of individuals detained and without access to judicial oversight.According to the Ministry of Human Rights, the total number of detainees for the entirecountry was 30,842 on 31 December of whom 14,534 in MNF I detention facilities.9. Armed operations by MNF-I continued to restrict the enjoyment of human rights andto cause severe suffering to the local population. Continued limitations of freedom ofmovement and lack of access to basic services, such as health and education, are affecting alarger percentage of the population and depriving it of basic rights for extended periods oftime. HRO reiterates its call to security and military forces to respect fully international lawand to refrain from any excessive use of force.

10. Attacks on professional groups continued unabated during the reporting period.Freedom of expression has continued to be challenged as an increasing number of journalistsand media workers were killed or threatened or otherwise intimidated with impunity simplybecause of their work. The condition of women has generally continued to deteriorate witherosion of their enjoyment of basic rights and freedoms and repeated instances of honourcrimes. Minorities also continued to be targeted, with threats and attacks against Christiansstill on the rise. Armed groups or militias have continued to threaten and forcibly evictPalestinians from their homes and have repeatedly attacked them with mortars and armed fire.11. The independence of the judiciary has been negatively affected by consistent attackson and killings of judges and lawyers, often working in appalling security conditions, as wellas by unresolved questions concerning the leadership of the Iraqi Bar Association.12. Targeting of members of the security forces has continued. On 24 December, theMinister of Interior indicated that 12,000 police officers had been killed since 2003: thatrepresents an average of 10 police officers killed every single day. The effect of violence hasalso affected education, with many schools and universities closed or with their schedulesdisrupted as educators, professors and students are unable to attend course and continue toleave the country.13. At the same time, at least 470,094 people have been forcibly internally displacedsince the bombing in Samarra on 22 February 2006. Baghdad alone has 38,766 displacedindividuals. In its Emergency Assessment on 11 December 2006, IOM noted that extremeviolence has prevented access to IDP communities and made the provision of aid assistancevery difficult.1This takes place at a critical time with winter temperatures now increasinglyaffecting the health and well being of the most vulnerable IDPs.14. The Iraqi High Tribunal (IHT) pronounced its verdict on the Dujail case on 5November while the decision of the appeal court of the IHT to uphold the death sentence forSaddam Hussein and two other co-defendants was unveiled on 26 December. The execution ofthe head of the former regime took place on 30 December yet raised international and nationalconcerns, highlighting the imperative need at all times for due process and full respect of theConstitution and international law.15. Not all of Iraq, however, faces the same human rights situation. Certain areas in theSouth and the North, and the Region of Kurdistan in particular, are relatively safer andtherefore record better human rights conditions. Nevertheless, minority and women rights, aswell as administrative corruption are of concern in Kurdistan and in the rest of the country. Therise in religious extremism continues to affect education, women’s and minority rights in theSouthern and Central Iraq.16. A major concern from a human rights point of view is the deterioration of thesituation in Kirkuk, particularly with respect to the rights of minorities, both Arab andTurkmen. They face increasing threats, intimidations and detentions, often in KRG facilities1

run by Kurdish intelligence and security forces. This has particular implications for the overallstability of the city, especially in the course of 2007.17. In the reporting period, HRO engaged Iraqi governmental and non-governmentalpartners as well as international donors in a series of activities in support of strengthening therule of law and for the establishment of a strong and effective national human rights protectionsystem. HRO supported activities by the Ministry of Human Rights also in connection withHuman Rights Day on and around 10 December and continued with its support to the Rule ofLaw Sectoral Working Group Core Teams. HRO also ensured specialized training in the areaof human rights for members of the Government, regional authorities and NGOs.18. Monitoring human rights in Iraq remains challenging because the security situationmakes it difficult to independently verify the allegations received, also in connection withindividual cases. However, individual accounts received by UNAMI, as well as informationobtained through the Authorities, reports by local human rights organizations, private securityfirms and the press, all provide indicators pointing to clear patterns.Protection of Human RightsExtra-judicial executions, targeted and indiscriminate killings19. Extra-judicial executions, rampant and indiscriminate killings of civilians wentvirtually unchecked during the months of November and December. The mortality figures forviolent deaths are 3,462 for November and 2,914 for December, a decrease with respect to theprevious report.2The number of wounded reached 3,755 in November; including 235 womenand 97 children, and 3,120 in December; including 186 women and 38 children. As a way ofcomparison, the total figure of civilians killed in Iraq was 3,345 in September and 3,702 inOctober 2006. In Baghdad the total number of civilians violently killed in November andDecember was 4,731, a slightly less than in the previous two months (2,230 in November and2,501 in December: among those the number of unidentified bodies was 1,229 in Novemberand 1,397 in December). In September, there were 2,262 and in October 2,722 violently killedpersons in Baghdad. An increase in violence in typically less restive Governorates, such asMosul, is also illustrative of the overall deteriorating security situation across Iraq.20. For 2006, the total number of civilians violently killed is 34,452: 16,867 from theMedical Legal Institute in Baghdad (unidentified bodies and 17,585 from hospitals (operationcentres) throughout Iraq. The yearly average is 94 civilians killed every day. 36,685 civilianswere also wounded in 2006, including 2,222 women and 777 children.

21. The situation is notably grave in Baghdad where unidentified bodies killed execution-style are found in large number daily. Victims’ families are all too often reluctant to claim thebodies from the six Medico-Legal Institutes (MLIs) around the country for fear of reprisals.The deceased’s families are required to obtain permission from the police station whichbrought the body to the MLI but many are too afraid and believe that police officers could beresponsible for the disappearances and killings. According to sources, most of all killings andlocation of unidentified bodies in Baghdad fall within the area of responsibility of six policestations, three in Sunni areas; Bilat Al Shuhada’ in Dora; Al Qudis in Rashdiyah and AlAdhamiya in Al Adhamiya city, the three located in Shiite areas are; Al Tahtheb in Sadr city;Al Khansa’ in Baghdad Al Jadeedah and Alshu’la in Al Shu’la city.22. Insurgents, including foreign terrorist groups, remain particularly active in central-western parts such as Baghdad in particular, Al Anbar and parts of Babylon, Diyala, Ninevahand Salahaddin Governorates. Large scale indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population arefrequently recorded throughout the capital Baghdad, as well as in Mosul, Baquba and Hilla.Areas of gathering such as mosques, market places, places where daily labourers search forwork or police recruitment centres have become routine targets. No religious and ethnicgroups, including women and children, have been spared from the widespread cycle ofviolence which creates panic and disrupts the daily life of many Iraqi families, promptingparents to stop sending their children to school and severely limiting normal movement aroundthe capital and outside. The violence is equally disruptive of the political process and itprevents progress in the functioning of new Iraqi state institutions.23. Numerous violent acts fall in the category of general crimes committed by criminalelements taking advantage of the situation in Baghdad. This law and order vacuum has anencouraging effect on criminal groups of various affiliations, many of whom use the internet,mobile phone messaging system, videos and pamphlets to promote their criminal activities orfurther intimidate targeted groups. Their websites and videos frequently show the faces ofperpetrators and their assumed names. These insurgency and terrorist groups are often knownto the residents of the areas where they operate. To compensate for the absence of government-led authority and control, both the Shiite and Sunni populations have increasingly turned tomilitias or other armed groups for protection.24. A number of large scale attacks in Iraq has been recorded these last two months,claiming dozens of innocent lives on each occasion. For example, on 1 November, a series ofexplosions across Baghdad killed at least 29 people: six people were killed by a roadside bombin the Shurjah market of central Baghdad, five were killed and seven wounded by a car bombat Uqba bin Nafi intersection in eastern Baghdad, three people were killed in a car bomb in thesouthwest Bayaa neighbourhood and 15 people, including 4 children, in an attack at a weddinginBaghdad’s district of Ur.25. A series of simultaneous attacks were again recorded on 7 November in Baghdad: inAl Adhamiyah, a suicide attack ripped through a local coffee shop killing 16 and wounding 22civilians, and in Al Slaikh, one civilian died and six others were wounded when a car bombdetonated near Nida’a Al Islam mosque. On the same day, a roadside bomb targeting theMNF-I patrol in Hay Al Andalus in Fallujah killed three civilians and wounded 11 others

including five women. Attacks continued on a residential area of Al Adhamiyah the followingday when 12 civilians were killed and 30 others wounded in mortar attacks. At least one morearea of Baghdad was attacked by mortars on the same day: a number of mortar rounds fell onHay Al Amin area wounding 8 civilians. On 16 November, gunmen killed 9 civilians workingin a bakery shop in Baghdad. On 19 November, three civilians were killed and 21 otherswounded in a suicide attack at a funeral ceremony in Ghernata area of Kirkuk.26. A suicide attack occurred in Hilla, south of Baghdad, on 19 November 2006, when asuicide bomber stopped his minivan amidst a large group of labourers, pretending to offer themwork, before he detonated an explosive device, killing 22 men and wounding 44. Accordingto local media, Baghdad police reported arresting two Egyptians and an Iraqi suspected ofinvolvement in the attack. A similar attack occurred in Baghdad on 12 December when asuicide bomber struck a crowd of mostly poor Shiites in Baghdad, killing at least 63 people andwounding more than 200 after luring construction workers to a pickup truck by offering themjobs as they were eating breakfast. On the same day, three car bombs exploded in a bus stationin Baghdad’s Mashtal neighbourhood, killing 10 and wounding 45 people. The following dayin Baghdad, an attack on a crowded food market in Jamila area killed 3 and wounded 5 people.On 22 November, a car bomb in Al Meqdadiyah in Diyala killed 5 civilians including awoman.27. One of the deadliest indiscriminate attacks happened in Sadr City on 23 Novemberwhen five coordinated car bombs detonated at a busy market followed by two mortars roundsresulting in the deaths of 215 and wounding 250 more. SRSG Ashraf Qazi issued two publicstatements on 24 and 25 November, expressing outrage at the carnage in Sadr City. Mr. Qaziobserved that these tragic incidents occurred in the context of an increasingly vicious cycle ofsectarian revenge killings that was tearing apart the very political and social fabric of Iraq. A24-hour curfew was declared in the city of Baghdad aimed at preventing vengeful responses asfuneral processions carried victims from Sadr City to the holy Shiite city of Najaf for burial.28. Defying the government curfew, militiamen stormed Sunni mosques in Baghdad thenext day; shooting guards and burning down buildings in apparent retaliation. At least fourmosques were targeted in Hurriya, a mixed neighbourhood in the capital, two of which werereportedly destroyed. At least 5 Sunnis were reportedly killed and 10 wounded in one attack.Another 4 Sunnis were allegedly burned alive. A prominent Sunni Arab group, TheAssociation of Muslim Scholars, claimed 18 people were killed when one of the mosques wasburned down. Shiite militia attacked the Abu Hanifa Sunni mosque in Adhamiya district with20 Katyusha rockets killing 22 people and injuring 14. The Al-Mustafa Mosque was apparentlysaved from complete destruction only after the arrival of Iraqi police and MNF-I29. On 24 November, 22 civilians were killed and 26 other wounded when two suicideattackers blew themselves up in a car park in Talafar, Ninevah Governorate. The followingday, a suicide attack in Fallujah killed four and wounded eight civilians, including children.Attacks in Baghdad were recorded again on 26, 28 and 29 November claiming at least 10 livesand at least 35 wounded. Attacks were also recorded in Baquba on 26 November, Diyala on 27and 30 November and, Basra and Mosul on 29 November. On 2 December, 61 civilians werekilled and 121 others wounded when 3 car bombs detonated in Al Sadriya area in Al Wathba

and another 20 people were killed and 15 wounded when a truck slammed into a bus stop in AlWahada, south of Baghdad. On 3 December, 6 civilians were wounded when a roadside bombdetonated near Al Sha’b field in Baghdad. On 26 December three coordinated car bombsdetonated at Al Bayaa car market and station resulting in the death of 25 and injuring 70.Another car bomb was detonated in the mainly Sunni Arab district of Adhamiya killing 20people and injuring 35. Two car bombs detonated one after another on 30 December in areligiously mixed neighbourhood in northwest Baghdad killing 37 civilians and wounding 76.The same day, 31 people were killed and 58 injured in Mainly Shiite town Kufa when a bombplaced on a minibus exploded in a fish market.30. An unprecedented number of execution-style killings have taken place in Baghdadand other parts of the country, whereby bodies were routinely found dumped in the streets, inrivers and in mass graves- most bearing signs of torture with their hands and feet bound, andsome were beheaded. This is themodus operandiused by both Sunni and Shiite armed groups,including insurgents and militias, who occasionally inform the authorities of the locations ofthe bodies. These killings also serve to intimidate the local population. At least two massgraves were recently unearthed, one in Najaf with at least four bodies and another one inBaquba, discovered on 29 November with 28 bodies belonging to members of al-Shammarytribe kidnapped and killed a few days earlier. The Najaf mass grave was reported to beshallow with bodies partially visible prompting one NGO to request local authorities to actbecause of the presence of children in the area. HRO has urged authorities to protect the siteuntil the security situation allowed for the proper exhumation and forensic investigation. Todate, the site remains unprotected. Another NGO reported several mass graves in the areaadjacent to Sadr city from the east side called Wara El Sadda (behind the sand barrier) weremany bodies are allegedly dumped in pre-prepared holes. The area is considered verydangerous and controlled by the militias. No one, including Iraqi security forces, can visit thearea without the authorization of the militias.31. Violence has also been perpetuated by ineffectual state law enforcement agencies.Iraqi law enforcement institutions are marred by corruption and increasing internal andsectarian divisions. Iraqi police are seen as having being infiltrated by or colluding withmilitias, insurgency and political parties, depending on the area where they operate.32. Baghdad is at the centre of the sectarian violence. Sunni and Shiite armed groupsare attempting to establish territorial control of Baghdad’s many predominately mixedneighbourhoods by intimidating and killing civilian populations and forcing them intodisplacements to parts of the city inhabited or controlled by members of their ethnic group.Reports suggest the existence of large movements of populations primarily within the cityboundaries, as the neighbourhoods become increasingly divided among Sunni and Shi’aarmed groups, and are consequently grouped together based on their sect and ethnicity.This forced displacement has been achieved by means of large scale attacks targetingcivilians, kidnappings, extra-judicial killings, dropping of threatening leaflets, destructionof properties, and intimidation. For instance, fighting between Sunni and Shiite armedgroups were primarily recorded in December in Baghdad’s neighbourhoods of Dora,Hurriyah, Al Adhamiyah, Khadimiyah, Ghazaliyah, Amariya and Qadisiyah.

33. On 9 December in Hurriya, Shi'ite militias torched Sunni homes causing more than30 families to flee. The following day, some 30 armed gunmen killed nine members of twoShi'ite families in the western Jihad neighbourhood in Baghdad.Kidnappings34. Abductions have increased dramatically in the past months and have become a toolfor armed groups to finance their activities, to intimidate and eliminate opponents, and to instilfear by targeting prominent personalities. Abductions have been used by both Sunni insurgentsas well as by Shiite militias. Many victims were tortured and killed and some remainedunidentified. The Baghdad Medico-Legal Institute is reported transporting some 200unidentified bodies every week to cemeteries in Najaf and Karbala which relatives do notclaim out of fear of reprisals. In addition, there are reports of bodies that end up buried in massgraves and are not recorded at the morgues.35. According to various reports, Iraqi insurgency groups today are largely self-sustaining, raising tens of millions of dollars from oil smuggling, kidnapping, counterfeiting,corrupt charities and other crimes. Most of these crimes are inadequately investigated, if at all,leaving many perpetrators at large.36. Even humanitarian organizations have not been spared. On 9 November, the Head ofIraqi Red Crescent Society (IRSC) Administration, Dr. Anas Al Azawi, was kidnapped in frontof his house by men reportedly wearing blue police uniforms. The price for his freedom wasset at US$750,000 although he was subsequently released after a ransom of a lesser amountwas paid. On 17 December, armed men allegedly wearing Iraqi Army uniform stormed theoffice of Red Crescent in Baghdad in police cars and men in civilian clothes. Forty two maleemployees, visitors, volunteers and private security guards were abducted. A spokesman forIRSC said that 26 employees both Shiite and Sunnis were released. The IRSC has 100 officesin 18 governorates. The headquarters has 418 employees in addition to 400 employees in its 44offices in Baghdad alone.37. A blatant operation on 14 November involved the abduction of between 100 and 150employees and visitors, both Sunni and Shiite at the Scholarship Department of the Ministry ofHigher Education in the middle of the capital. The incident occurred on a day assigned forvisits of teaching staff from the Governorates of Anbar, Salahaddin and Mosul. More than 90applicants to scholarship from the Department were queuing when gunmen opened fire,injuring a female professor from Mosul University. They ordered the women into a room andseized about 100 men who were forced into pick-up trucks. The whole operation was said tohave lasted about a quarter of an hour. The perpetrators wore what appeared official uniformsrecently issued to officers and they had posed as interior ministry police intended to seal off thestreet and gain entry to the building. Nine people, all Shiite were released instantly on PalestineStreet and the rest were taken towards Sadr City. On that day, the Director General ofUNESCO called for the immediate release of the kidnapped employees. SRSG Ashraf Qazi,condemned in the strongest terms this kidnapping and warned on the dangerous effect that itcould have on Iraq’s development.

38. More than 70 were released after being tortured while other 70 are still missing, mostof them of Sunni origin. The daylight abduction and the use of apparently genuine governmentvehicles and uniforms raised questions about possible official involvement in the operation. Ithas been reported that five senior police officers were later questioned. On 23 November thebodies of Dr. Abdil Salam Al Suwaydan, head of the Scholarship department and AbdilHameed Hamadani, an expert at the same department, were found in Baghdad bearing signs oftorture. Families of the kidnapped gathered on 20 December in front of the building of theMinistry of Higher Education asking the government to take action to save the lives of thekidnapped. A few days later, the Higher Education Minister resigned in protest against themass abduction of his staff.39. On 30 November, 14 civilians were reportedly kidnapped by gunmen at a fake checkpoint between Qatoon and Baquba main road. Their whereabouts remain unknown. HRO alsoreceived information on the alleged disappearance of 80 Sunnis, reportedly kidnapped by Shiamilitias, and taken to Imam Ridha mosque in Almuwasalt neighbourhood, close to the fruitsand vegetable market in Suq Omaima. The information suggests that the victims would be heldthere with their fate unknown. On 2 December, some 10 people were abducted at Site 4’sdetention centre front gate after visiting family members detained inside. Two days later,unknown gunmen kidnapped a Chaldean Priest Samai Abdulahad in Al-Sena’a Street,Baghdad. He was later released; it was not confirmed whether the Church paid a ransom.40. At about 10 am, on 14 December, a convoy of about ten SUVs pulled into the auto-spare-parts section of the open-air Sinak wholesale market, a few hundred yards from theheadquarters of Iraq's Defense Ministry and sealed the main roads. Gunmen in police uniformsfired their weapons into the air, seized cash from the shops, and bundled about 50 merchants,workers and customers into four delivery trucks and sped off towards eastern Baghdad. About29 of them were subsequently released, all Shiite.Freedom of expression41. Freedom of the press remains a widely debated issue particularly in the North withindependent media attempting to extend the limits of journalistic license to engender supportfor the right of expression. In other parts of Iraq, journalists and other media professionalsfaced restrictions including a ban on attending parliament sessions, physical threats and threatsof legal action.42. Independently owned media such as Hawlati daily and weekly Awene in Kurdistanhave recently highlighted government corruption and questioned the conduct of officials.Their criticism included a recent Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) reform plans, recentelections, human rights, demonstrations, migration, and shortcomings in the education system.Hawlati has questioned the freedom of the media in Kurdistan and reiterated that journalistsshould be able to question officials because they "were elected for a limited period of time inorder to serve the people."43. On 14 November, the Mayor of Mosul refused to comply with an order by MosulProvincial Council to close down the ‘Civil Society Newspaper’, a local newspaper, stressingthat individuals are at liberty to express different views. In Erbil, a broadcaster with Zagros10

Satellite alleged that he was temporarily arrested and detained by security forces because of hisprofession and demanded an investigation. In late December, in Sulaymania journalist LuqmanGhafur was arrested because police officers have filed a complaint against him for describingthem as “gangs” in an article. In Erbil, police arrested journalists Shaho Khalid and DilamanSalah for reporting a strike at a students’ house in Setaqan Quarter. After their release theydemanded an apology from the police whom they alleged had assaulted them.44. On 7 November, 5 employees of the Al Anwar Iraqi TV station were seriouslywounded when gunmen attacked the station with explosives. It is reported that the attack wasmotivated by the station broadcasting reports on displaced families in Sabe’ Al Bour area foran extended period of time.45. On 27 November, claiming that the Government was curbing sectarian violence, theSpeaker of the Council of Representatives (COR), Mahmoud Al Mashhadani, declared that a“legal” act will be passed by the Council to “deal with the media and the corrupt mediaindividuals”. Al Mashhadani added that the country was going through a state of emergencyand that they have requested that the government use its powers under the emergency law torespond to elements in the media that have contributed to or incited sectarian tension. Heannounced that media outlets and agencies were not allowed to attend parliament session toprotect national security. The ban on live coverage of the COR sessions was lifted on 6December.46. Several media outlets have used derogatory or hate language in broadcast and in somecases, incited violence. The Prime Minister has threatened to use the 2004 “anti-terrorism” lawto close down stations that incite hate and violence such as Al Zawra station. Based on antiterrorism law, the Minister of Interior recently issued an order to close Al Zawra TV satellitechannel in Baghdad and Salahaddin TV satellite channel in Salahaddin Governorate on theground of the use of hate speech.47. After the Iraqi government banned Al Zawra Sunni TV Station, their formeremployees became subject to threats and attacks by militias. A former female reporter for alZawra TV station, who lived in Al Zafarania district, received a threat letter on 25 November2006. On 1 December, gunmen in two cars came looking for her, but she had already movedout to another area.Women48. The plight of women in the northern governorates continues to be widely covered bythe media and is a matter of great concern to human rights NGOs. The latest monthly report bythe KRG Human Rights Ministry stated that 239 women had burned themselves in the firsteight months of 2006. Authorities in Sulaimaniya have documented the highest number ofmonthly traumatic burn cases in November, with 13 cases of burns by fire and 24 cases ofscalding involving women. A Sulaimaniya hospital source suspected that such cases areunderreported because of fear of the social stigma, shame and culpable involvement of familymembers that are associated with honor crimes. Most cases have been investigated as“accidents” or suicide attempts.

49. Most victims of suspected honor crimes suffer horrific injuries which are unlikely tohave been accidentally caused whilst cooking or refuelling oil heaters. For instance, on 25November in Erbil, a 49-year old mother of four claimed that she accidentally set herself onfire whilst refuelling the oil heater and suffered 60% burns in her body. In another case at theBrayati Quarter, Erbil, 21-years old Qadria Mustafa claimed that her burns on 40% of her bodywere the result of a cooking accident. In December, at the Saidawa Quarter, in Erbil, a newlymarried 18 year old housewife claimed that she accidentally burned herself while boilingwater. Since the incident apparently occurred in a bathroom and she suffered 40% burns in herbody, the police commenced an investigation. In Shorija Q, Kirkuk, a 16-year-old teenagerdied after setting herself on fire because her brother demanded that she marry a suitor shedisliked. In another case, in Zahko District, Dahuk, a 39-year-old woman claimed that shesuffered 90% burn injuries because her cooker exploded in the kitchen. She did not file acomplaint. It has been acknowledged by both government officials and civil societyrepresentatives that tribal traditions, a chauvinistic interpretation of Islam and unreasonablesocietal expectations of women, are some of the root-causes of honor crimes.50. In the central and southern regions, women remain particularly vulnerable and theirenjoyment of basic rights is being rapidly eroded. As previously reported,3the securitysituation and the militancy of intolerant groups are increasingly limiting women’s ability tomove freely outside their homes while progressively restricting their access to health servicesand education as well as their ability to participate in public life. November and Decemberwitnessed an alarming shift towards more violent episodes. It is a challenge to obtain accuratefemale mortality rate and the cause(s) of death. Female corpses are usually abandoned at themorgue and remain unclaimed for fear of damaging the family honour. More than 140 bodieswere unclaimed and buried in Najaf by the morgue during the reporting period.51. Women are reportedly living with heightened levels of threats to their lives andphysical integrity, and forced to conform to strict, arbitrarily imposed morality codes. HROhas received cases of young women abducted by armed militia and found days later sexuallyabused, tortured and murdered. HRO has also charted an increase in kidnapping and killing ofwomen. In late December, three female students from Mustansiriya University were reportedlykidnapped by Shiite militias. Despite the payment of a ransom, their bodies were found at themorgue on 22 December bearing signs of rape and torture. Official sources denied the incidentbut students from the University confirmed it did take place.52. Two other women were kidnapped on separate occasions from the Sunni AlGhazaliya area during the month of December. The body of an elementary school teacher wasfound badly mutilated in Al Shula Shiite area and the fate of the second kidnap victim remainsunknown. In a suspected honor crime case, a secondary school student was publicly hanged ineast Baghdad by armed militia. Her brother was shot dead by the militia trying to rescue her.The impact of the conflict on women and girls and the absence of a functioning social servicesystem are visible on the streets of Iraq. A four-year-old girl, hungry and exhausted was foundon Baghdad streets on 20 December after running away from her mother who used her forsoliciting. HRO arranged for her to be sheltered in a safe haven managed by Iraqi civil society.HRO has received information of children abducted and sold to armed militias and forced to3

become supporters. Children are also trafficked outside Iraq to work as sex slaves, labourers, orunlawfully adopted by families abroad. Dozens of children are currently seeking shelter andprotection in safe houses managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and civil societyorganizations across the country.53. In a country marred by violence, Iraqi widows struggle to fend for themselves andtheir families. Projects created to provide jobs for women were abandoned after the exodus ofinternational NGOs from October 2005. Some support has been provided by the UnitedNations, the Iraqi Red Crescent, the Islamic Party, the Muslim Scholars Association and non-governmental organisations. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has started paying theequivalent of about 100 dollars per month to widows but this payment cannot support wholefamilies. There is an urgent need for the international community to ensure projects aimed atjob creation, especially for women, who now face a long struggle surviving and bringing upfamilies on their own. The general breakdown in law and order and Islamic extremism havefurther entrenched the culture of violence within Iraqi society. It is inevitable that vulnerablegroups such as women and children are bearing the devastating consequences of the prevailingsituation in the country.Minorities54. Minorities in Iraq remain severely affected by the overall security situation, economicand social degradation and the existence of organized armed groups, militias and insurgents, alloperating with near complete impunity. Minority groups feel marginalized from politicalparticipation and decision-making at the local and national levels. The Shabaks and Assyriansin the Nineveh Plains in particular have been pressured to convert to Islam. Of the 1.5 millionAssyrians living in Iraq before 2003, half have left the country and the remaining 750,000 aresaid to be moving into “safe areas” in Zakho and North Ninevah. Considered to be foreign,non-Arab and of non-Iraqi origin, religious minorities, such as Sabean-Mandeans, frequentlyencounter intimidation by public and religious officials.55. In November, there were significant attacks against the Christian community inMosul and in December, 14 Kurdish farmers were killed by insurgent groups in the Sinjar areaof the Ninewah plain. Inter-ethnic tensions between Arab, Turkoman and Kurdish communitiesare escalating in Kirkuk. The ethnic divide in Kirkuk was underscored when the Sunni Mosqueof Ahmad Thiab al-Nu’aymi in the Terklan area was blown up by extremists on 16 November.HRO received a video evidently showing the abuse and killing of an Arab, who was in thecustody of local security officers, in the streets of Kirkuk. Kirkuk authorities have agreed toinvestigate the case upon HRO’s request.56. On 19 November the KRG Parliament Speaker, Adnan Mufti, received a delegationfrom the Syrian Assyrian Democratic Organization to discuss Christian rights in Kurdistan andtheir demands for an autonomous region in the Ninewah Plains in response to the heightenedviolence against Christians. Four days later, gunmen brutally gunned down the leader of Iraq'sChristian Syrian community, Yashoo'a Majid Hadaya in an attack in Qaraqosh, northeast ofMosul.

57. On 3 December 2006, militiamen broke into the house of Taleb Salman Uraibi,assistant to one of the Mandean religious Sheikhs, and abducted him from his house located inHay Ur neighbourhood. The body of Uraibi was found with marks of torture later that day. On11 December 2006, unidentified gunmen killed a Turkman family of five in the middle of thenight in Yankaja village in Toz Khormato. In late December, two members of the Shabakcommunity and one from the Yazidi community were murdered in Mosul. Police believed theywere targeted simply because of their religious affiliation.Various professional categories58. HRO documented a worrying increase in targeted attacks and assassinations ofprofessionals such as teachers, religious figures, barbers, police officers, artists, lawyers, ex-military officers, and politicians across Iraq including the northern cities of Mosul and Kirkuk.These attacks are typically perpetrated by extremists practising conformist ideology and bymilitant/terror groups intent on spreading fear and intimidation. Journalists and media workersare among the most frequently targeted group with at least 12 killed from November toDecember.59. On 2 November, journalist Qussai Abass of Tareeq Al Shaab newspaper was gunneddown with his driver as he was travelling to his office in Baghdad. Later that week, twogunmen burst into the home of freelance journalist Ali Al Hajiyeh in Baquba, smashing doorsand windows and stealing personal effects. Hajiyeh had left the city after shots were fired at hishome a few days earlier. On 15 November, a female journalist working for Al DustourNewspaper, Luma Riyad, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Baquba. On 22 November,Raad Jaafar Hammadi was killed in a Baghdad neighbourhood of Al-Washash by four gunmen.On 4 December, unidentified gunmen killed Nabil Ibrahim al-Dulaimi, news editor for RadioDijla, shortly after he left his home in Baghdad for work. Nabil used to work for Al Zawra TVstation, which was ordered to stop broadcasting by the Ministry of Interior (MoI).60. In Mosul, Mohamed Al Ban, father of four and a cameraman with Al Sharqiya waskilled by unidentified men outside his home on 13 November. That was followed two dayslater by the slaying of journalist Ms Fadia Mohamed Ali and her driver, as she was traveling towork. Speculations are rife on police involvement as Ms Fadia reported on police corruptionand misconduct on several occasions in the weeks before her death, alleging that police stolevaluables from houses during surprise raids. On 26 November, an employee of a Ninevehtelevision station, Ms Fadila Abdel Karim, was shot dead in Mosul. On 10 December, AswanAhmed Lutfallah, 35, was gunned down by insurgents while filming clashes between Iraqipolice and insurgents in the city's al-Karama neighborhood. The Committee to ProtectJournalists commented that “Likeso many other journalists, he was targeted and killed simplyfor trying to provide the world with a glimpse of daily reality in Iraq.”Aswan is the secondAPN (Associate Press News agency) photographer killed since April 2005. On 25 December,Samir Ali Souod, co-editor of Sada Baghdad newspaper disappeared in Zayoona, an area eastof Baghdad. His family believes he was kidnapped by an armed group.61. On 19 November, Kurdish singer, Mesa’ud Goran , was killed in Mosul presumablybecause he was believed to support Mosul’s assimilation into the Kurdistan region. On the

same day, comedian actor and TV director, Walid Hasan Ja’az, was assassinated by unknowngunmen in Al Yarmouk neighborhood in Baghdad..62. On 29 November, armed group attacked famous performer and author AbdulwahabAldayni, causing permanent facial injuries. Around mid December, the famous TV director,Hussien Al Tikriti was kidnapped and his body was found a few days later in Baghdad.Another well known actor, Mutashar Al Sudani, was kidnapped on 18 December at HaifaStreet in Baghdad. His body was found next day in the same area. Several actors areconsidering moving abroad out of fear for their lives.63. The bullet-ridden body of Hadib Majhoul, the Shiite chairman of one of Iraq’sleading soccer clubs called Talaba club, was found on 3 December in Baghdad, several daysafter he was kidnapped on his way to work. The Club suspended its work for 3 days in protestof the killing, according to Tariq Ahmad, a member of the Club. On 2 December, theInternational Olympic Committee President appealed for the release of Ahmed al-Hijiya, theChairman of Iraq’s National Olympic Committee, who was kidnapped in July 2006 with atleast 30 of his colleagues.64. The health system is deteriorating and there are fewer and fewer medical personnel asan increasing number of medical staff are fleeing Iraq. On 19 November, the Deputy-HealthMinister, Ammar al-Saffar, was kidnapped from his house in al-Adhamiya, a predominantlySunni neighborhood, by 24 gunmen, some of whom were reportedly dressed in Iraqi policeuniforms. On 21 November, the other Deputy-Health Minister, Hakim al Zamili escaped anassassination attempt while 3 mortars targeted the building of the Ministry in Bal Al Mu’tham.The attack in Sadr city on 23 November also coincided with an assault by dozens of gunmenagainst the Ministry of Health.65. Judges and lawyers continued to be frequently targeted and intimidated andcourthouses attacked. On 16 November, a car bomb exploded near Al Sadr City courthouse inPalestine Street, leaving two persons killed and five seriously injured. On 20 November atleast one mortar shell landed on Al Ramadi’s courthouse leaving three persons injured. On30 December, a group of armed men bombed Al Karma courthouse in Al Anbar and destroyedit completely.66. Judge Naim Al Akeli, the head of the Al Kharkh Criminal Court was killed on 15November by a road side bomb, while driving along Al Jamhoria Bridge in Baghdad. On 19November, Judge Muthafer Al Obaidy, who also worked with the Council of Ministers, waskidnapped by unidentified gunmen from his house in Al Khadra area in Baghdad. On 23November, the director of legal affairs in the Council of Ministers, Ali Muthafar AbdelWahhab, was shot dead by gunmen in front of his house in Hay Al Dawoudi in Al Mansourarea in Baghdad. On 10 December, lawyer Nawfel Al Chalabi was kidnapped in front of theNew Baghdad Courthouse.67. On 4 November, Kirkuk police reported the killing of the Imam of Al-Hajah SabriyahMosque in south Kirkuk and in Mosul, a member of the Mosul Fatwa Committee was

assassinated. A few days later, insurgents murdered the head of KDP’s Mandali Committee,Talib Mahmud Ayna on the Naftkhana-Mandali Road.68. Two members of the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution were assassinated on 20November: Ali Flaih Al-Ghrani was assassinated in Jbalah district, and Dr. Ali Al-Adhadh,Member of Parliament from United Iraqi Alliance block, and his wife, were killed in Hilla. Amember of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Salih Naji Al-Messudi, was kidnappedon 24 November and his body found two days later. The body of an Iraqi leader from Al WifaqFront, Abdel Karim Al Obaidi was found on 20 November. A member of the Islamic Party inAl Karkh branch, Jawad Ahmad Al Falahi, was assassinated on 4 December in Al Amiriya bygunmen as he was leaving his house. In late December at the Jirn village, Mosul, an unknownarmed group assassinated Mr. Hussein Himod, the Head of Hatra Provisional Council alongwith his body guard. In Qudis Quarter, Mosul, unknown gunmen shot dead ambulance driverAwad Mohammed Khalif Sab’awi while he was on duty.69. HRO has also received reports to the effect that several barbers were killed in Kirkukin the reporting period, probable targets of Islamic extremists advocating conformist Islamicpractices such as outlawing shaving for Muslim men. For instance, on 9 December, a “terroristgroup” assassinated Qasm Hassan, a barber at the Al-Wasiti Quarter, south Kirkuk.70. Iraq’s academics are increasingly fleeing the country in the face of the violence andare frequent targets across Iraq. Academics have apparently been singled out for their relativelyrespected public status, vulnerability and views on controversial issues in a climate ofdeepening Islamic extremism. According to the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education, at least155 education professionals have been killed since 2003.71. On 20 November, the University of Diyala warned that it would suspend classesunless the Government pledged to protect staff, following an increased wave of attacks againstemployees. Many schools in Baghdad continue to be closed, in particular in Doura, Adhamia,Altalbia, Al-Binuk and Al-Shaab. Universities in Baghdad, Dyala and Al-Anbar are also oftenclosed. On 20 November, insurgents killed the President of the Scientific Department of MosulUniversity and the Director of Registration Department of the College of Education in KirkukUniversity. On 5 December, the Director of the Psychological and Research Department inBaghdad University, Dr. Harith Abdel Hamid, was assassinated when driving to work. On thesame day, a professor in the Physical Education Faculty of one of Baghdad’s universities, Dr.Mohammad Haidar Sulaiman, was assassinated by unknown gunmen. On 11 December,gunmen kidnapped 5 teachers of one primary school near Al-Dijeel village.72. The intimidation campaign against educational institutes persisted and on 11December, a car bomb exploded in a car park of Al-Ma’amoon College in Al-Iskan district inBaghdad, killing one person and injuring four. One student was killed and another 6 injured ina roadside bomb explosion on the same morning in front of the Al-Mustansiriya University. On21 December, Dr. Muntather Mohammad Al Hamadani, the assistant dean at the Faculty ofLaw at Al Mustansiriya University and Dr. Ali Jassam, were assassinated by unknown gunmenin Al Slaikh area. On the same day, gunmen kidnapped Dr. Anas Khalil Anjad Al Jamili, aprofessor at Al Nahrain University and a licensed doctor in Al Kadhimiya Hospital and

demanded a ransom. Although the victim’s father delivered the ransom, the kidnappers killedboth of them after taking the money. Their bodies were found later at the Medico-LegalInstitute.Displacement73. According to IOM, the total number of families displaced since the Samarra bombingof 22 February is 78,349 or approximately 470,094 individuals. Displacement is occurring on acontinuous basis as a result of terrorist acts, sectarian violence, threats, abductions and ageneralized breakdown of law and order.74. The majority of the displaced are moving in with friends and host families, placingnew burdens on the resources and services of their host communities. Others are moving intoabandoned buildings, such as factories, schools, unoccupied military facilities and otherimprovised dwellings. IOM estimates that about 3% of the recently-displaced IDPs aremoving into camps set up by either MoDM or the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS). Some ofthese camps are transitory, inhabited by IDPs intending to move to other locations. However,other camps seem to have acquired a more permanent character.75. One of the primary concerns for IDPs, beside that of access to sanitation and shelter,is food. The food distribution system seems to have deteriorated due to the security situation,especially in Al Anbar, causing many displaced persons to receive either only a portion of thefood ratios or not receive any ratios at all. The number of families displaced from Al Anbarduring 2006 is 10,105, the highest among all Governorates, followed by Kerbala with 7,570,Baghdad and Dohuk with 7,000 each.76. Although all Governorates are affected by the influx of IDPs, Baghdad in particularseems to be particularly burdened by internal city displacement, i.e., displacement of peoplefrom one neighbourhood to another within the city limits, and IDPs from outside the city, i.e.,from Diyala, Anbar, Salahaddin, Wassit, Babel, Kirkuk and Ninevah Governorates. IDPs inBaghdad are both Shiite and Sunni, and a few families are Aizideis.77. As the security conditions in south and central Iraq progressively worsen, the influxof IDPs into the northern region continues to swell. Although the KRG authorities havereceived IDPs of all ethnicities in all three Governorates, recent entry regulations haverestricted the movement of IDPs to reside and seek employment in the region. The lack of aunified approach in all three Governorates has led to inconsistent policies and practicesregarding IDPs. The assistance provided by KRG authorities favours Kurdish IDPs, while ArabIDPs have been given the least support because of security fears.78. HRO has offered its support to the authorities in KRG in the formulation ofregulations regarding IDPs consistent with human rights standards. However, governmentofficials in Erbil have recently provided conflicting statements to the media and to HRO on theconditions for entry by IDPs, particularly in regard to the issuance of residence permits. Thereare approximately 119,270 IDP families in the Kurdistan Region, from before 2003 and as aresult of the most recent violence in the south and centre of the country. A small number of

these some 1,963 families, are of Arab background, and, according to information received byHRO, are liable to receive discriminatory and unfair treatment.79. On 3 November, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)stated that Iraq was facing “an even larger humanitarian crisis than we had initially preparedfor in 2002 to 2003. There are now 1,664,502 displaced people, almost triple the 600,000refugees planned for three years ago”.Rule of LawDetention80. According to the Ministry of Human Rights, the total number of detainees for theentire country, at the end of December, was 29715, which constitutes a slight increase from the29,562 reported at the end of November. The numbers of detainees reported in the lastbimonthly were 30,104 in September and 29,256 in October.Detention JurisdictionMNF – IMOJMOIMODMOLSATotal except KRGTotal in KurdistanTotal all over IraqNovember1340783533715121445627145241729,562December1453485004034122045628744209830,842

81. The number of detainees held in the country continues to remain high and a source ofdiscontent of large sways of the population since that the great majority is Sunni. Massiverelease plans from MNF-I have been put on hold pending further discussion and legislativeaction on a draft Amnesty Law. The latter, along with other reconciliation initiatives has beenput on hold waiting for a consensus to emerge among the various political groups.82. Conditions of detention, including overcrowding and poorly run facilities, as well aslack of judicial oversight remain the main human rights concerns. Many detainees, especiallyin the south, are kept in facilities that are reportedly not fit for human use. Furthermore, thecurrent number of detainees that need to be brought before a judge continues to far outstrip thecapacity of the Iraqi criminal courts to adjudicate cases. HRO recognizes the enormouschallenges faced by the Iraqi judiciary, especially in the current security context. The work ofthe judiciary is further hampered by the repeated disregard of judicial orders by the police andby the constant threats and the actual killings of judges which calls into question theindependence of the judiciary and the genuine commitment by the authorities to develop aState based on the rule of law.

83. HRO encourages the work of the Combined Release and Review Board (CRBB) tocontinue processing lists for the administrative release of detainees held by MNF-I, now thatthe participation of the various Iraqi Ministries has resumed (the CRRB is composed ofrepresentatives of MNF-I, Ministries of Justice, Interior and Human Rights). The Ministry ofHuman Rights continues to visit Camps Bucca and Cropper (MNF-I run detention facilities) ona periodic basis and UNAMI welcomes the channel of communication developed betweenMNF I and the Ministry in order to address specific cases or possible grievances.84. HRO encourages also early action on the transfer of detainees/internees from MNF Ito Iraqi jurisdiction and to ensure that this process is carried out in accordance withinternational human rights standards, keeping in mind due process and the need to ensurejudicial oversight within the shortest possible period of time. The International Committee ofthe Red Cross (ICRC) announced, on 30 November 2006, that it was close to an agreementwith the Iraqi authorities which would allow its delegates to visit Iraqi run detention centres,including those where allegations of torture and mistreatment have been systematicallyreported. ICRC already regularly visits 14,000 prisoners including 12,000 held by US and UKtroops and 2,000 by Kurdish authorities in the North of the country.85. During the last months, HRO has continued to receive information pointing to tortureand other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment in detention centres administered by theMinistry of Interior (MOI) or security forces throughout Iraq. In this connection, HROwelcomes the revival in December of MNF-Iraqi joint inspections of places of detention underthe control of the Ministry of Interior, Defence and Special Forces throughout the country.HRO encourages this process and calls for the reports resulting from those inspections to bemade public and for the Minister of Human Rights to follow up on the recommendations madewith other concerned Ministries or State entities.86. Despite concrete acknowledgement by the KRG of the arrest of individuals by PUKor KDP intelligence and security forces and their detention at unofficial detention facilities,there appears to be little impetus by the authorities to effectively address this pervasive andserious human rights concern. There has been little official denial of the existence andsometimes locations of secret and illegal detention cells in Suleimaniya and Erbil which areoften no more than rooms in private houses and government buildings.87. In December, 120 detainees at the Salam Barracks Prison in Suleymania went on ahunger strike to protest the delays in processing their cases, despite long periods of detention.According to family members, most were arrested on terror-related allegations, and officialsclaimed that most of those arrests were supported by court orders. On 31 December, a prisonerwas killed and 3 others wounded amid clashes between prison guards and prisoners in BadoshPrison in Mosul. Some prisoners were protesting the execution of Saddam Hussein.88. In a further push to acknowledge regional government accountability, on 9November, the Legal and Women Affairs Committees of the Kurdistan National Assembly(KNA) announced that they will advocate for a provision in the Kurdistan Constitution toprovide compensation for victims of torture in detention facilities. The Legal Committee will

also present a list of 106 detainees to the Kurdistan President to request for their release. On 14November, the KNA discussed commuting the sentences of prisoners, excluding “terrorists,murderers and spies”.There are at present 3 regional prisons in Kurdistan with a total of 1052detainees in the Suleymania prison, 793 in Erbil and 572 in Dahuk. The amnesty howeverwould only apply to convicted prisoners and not to those detained for security reasons.89. Officials usually justify prolonged detention without trial on suspicion of terrorismand other security concerns but detainees are usually not informed of allegations against themand given no opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention. According to informationreceived by HRO, the suspects arrested in Mosul have been transferred to detention cells inAkree, Erbil and Shaqlawa, Kurdistan. There have been attempts, however, on the part of high-level KRG officials to intervene or request that a “disappeared” detainee be produced before acourt of law. HRO reiterates its opposition to arbitrary and unlawful deprivations of liberty andcondemn exposing detainees to any form of ill-treatment or torture.Al-Jadiryia and Site 490. One year after the discovery of the illegal detention centre of “Al-Jadiriya’s bunker inBaghdad, on 13 November 2005, where 168 detainees were unlawfully detained and abused,the United Nations and other international NGO’s, such as Amnesty International in a publicstatement on 10 November, continue to request that the Government of Iraq publish thefindings on the investigation on this illegal detention. It may be recalled that a Joint-InspectionCommittee was established after the discovery of the Al-Jadiryia’s bunker in November 2005,in order to establish the general conditions of detention. The existence of the bunker wasrevealed after a raid of the Ministry of Interior’s bunker by MNF I/Iraqi forces.91. The Iraqi Government should start a judicial investigation into human rightsviolations in Al-Jadiriya. The failure to publish the Al-Jadiriya report, as well as otherinvestigations carried out by the Government regarding conditions of detention in the country,remains a matter of serious concern and affects Iraq’s commitment to establish a new systembased on the respect of human rights and the rule of law.92. On 30 May, a joint inspection led by the Deputy-Prime Minister and MNF-I, in aprison known as “Site 4” revealed the existence of 1,431 detainees presenting systematicevidence of physical and psychological abuse. Related to alleged abuses committed at “Site4,” a probe by 3 separate investigative committees was set up. After two and a half months,the probe concluded that 57 employees, including high-ranking officers, of the Ministry ofInterior were involved in degrading treatment of prisoners. Arrests warrants against them wereallegedly issued, but no arrests have reportedly yet taken place. HRO stressed the need foraccountability in such high visibility instances of human rights violations by officials. Inaddition to serving the urgent need for justice of the victims, accountability for these crimeswould also act as a deterrent vis a` vis future violations. Lack of criminal proceedings forthose responsible will only reinforce the sense of growing impunity and thus undermine effortsat establishing the rule of law in Iraq.

Emergency powers93. On 28 November, the state of emergency was extended in all parts of Iraq, exceptKurdistan, for another 30 days. Emergency laws were adopted by Prime Minister Allawi on 6July 2004. Under these provisions, curfews, cordon off towns and cities, search operations,can be imposed. The latest example was the curfew imposed by the Government after themultiple attacks on Sadr city on 23 November. The state of emergency has been extended bythe Council of Representatives (CoR) on a monthly basis yet CoR must act again in order tocontinue it beyond 31 December. It is important to recall that threats to national security may,under very specific conditions, lead to a state of emergency under which certain rights aresubject to derogation (suspension). However, even in a state of emergency, it is unlawful tosuspend some rights, such as the right to life, the prohibition of torture, the right to freedom ofthought, conscience and religion.Iraqi High Tribunal (IHT)94. As already indicated in the last Bimonthly report, Mr. Saddam Hussein was sentencedto death by the IHT in the Dujail trial on 5 November. On that day, the UN HighCommissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, called on the Iraqi authorities to observe amoratorium on executions, citing a credible appeals process as “an essential part of fair-trialguarantees.” On 28 November, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detentionscalled on the Iraqi and United States Governments to redress “serious proceduralshortcomings” in the trial of ousted president Saddam Hussein and urged the Iraqis not to carryout the death sentence “imposed in a proceeding, which does not meet applicable basicstandards of a fair trial.” In a statement issued in Geneva, the Working Group recommended tothe two Governments that the serious procedural shortcomings be redressed and that thesituation of Mr. Hussein be brought in conformity with the principles of the UniversalDeclaration on Human Rights and with the provisions of the ICCPR,” it said, referring to theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a binding treaty to which both Iraq andthe US are parties.95. On 26 December, the Appeals Court of the IHT unanimously dismissed the appeals ofSaddam and his co-defendants and upheld the sentence of death imposed on Saddam for theDujail killings. The Appeals Court explained that the trial judgment was supported bysufficient evidence. First, evidence shows that because of his position of authority, Saddamknew about the destruction of orchards in Dujail by his security forces and the fate of theDujail residents after the failed assassination attempt. He also had command responsibility overperpetrators who had carried out the crimes. Second, it rejected arguments that the IHT wasillegal as it was lawfully enacted by an act of parliament in 2005 before the trial commenced.Third, Saddam was not entitled to immunity as he was stripped of privileges when deposed andin any case, immunity is inapplicable to crimes against humanity. Lastly, all claims of unfairtrial were rejected as Saddam was provided adequate defense, aware of the charges againsthim, was able to examine witnesses and had the right to remain silent and make submissions.96. UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Mr. LeandroDespouy, issued a statement on 27 December expressing concern that the panel’s decision did

not address the grave shortcomings of the trial and urged the Iraqi Government not to carry outthe death sentence imposed on the defendants following what appears to have been aprocedurally flawed legal process. On 28 December, UN High Commissioner for HumanRights, Louise Arbour, called for restrain by the Iraqi Authorities and reiterated her concernsabout the appeal process as well as the fairness of the original trial, following her statement on5 November when the verdict was pronounced. Saddam Hussein, however, was executed justafter 0600 on 30 December. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. AshrafQazi, indicated on that day that “the United Nations stands firmly against impunity, andunderstands the desire for justice felt by the many Iraqis. Based on the principle of respect forthe right to life, however, the United Nations remains opposed to capital punishment, even inthe case of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide." A video of the execution ofSaddam Hussein was released through the internet on 31 December, showing inappropriateconduct on the part of guards at the facility used for the hanging. The video sparked an outcryof criticism nationally and internationally.97. Two days after the 5 November verdict, the IHT continued with the al-Anfal genocidetrial. Saddam and six former Ba’athist members have pleaded not guilty to charges of warcrimes and crimes against humanity for their role in the military offensive against the Kurdsbetween 1987-88.98. During the seven trial sessions held during November and December, witnessesdescribed the mass execution of Kurds by Iraqi forces. According to witness, villagers werepersuaded to leave their homes with promises of safety, the men were separated from womenand children, lined up and executed. Others described how their villages were attacked withchemical weapons –“Icould see birds falling and liquids coming out of people’s noses”awitness testified. A number of survivors were rounded up and taken to detention centres suchas the Nugrat Salman camp where more deaths occurred as a result of disease, starvation andmistreatment. A witness told the court that his wife and infant were sent to Nugrat Salmanwhere the infant died because of the hardship conditions at the camp. Another witness wastaken to Kirkuk where he was imprisoned in a “hall” and “severely tortured” along with otherprisoners.99. The prosecution called several expert witnesses to prove the use of chemical attackson civilians. To disprove genocidal intent, the defence attempted to establish that thecampaign was to flush out insurgents and rebel groups waging a war against the governmentand that civilian Kurds were not slated for destruction but instead relocated and given land andhomes in collective towns. During the trial, defendant and former military intelligence chiefSabir Douri accused the Kurds of spying for Iran, who had fought an 8-year war with Iraq.During the proceedings, Saddam Hussein called on all Iraqis to “forgive, reconcile and shakehands.”On 18 December Prosecutors submitted documentary evidence purportedly linkingdefendants to the use of chemical weapons against the Kurds in 1988 in a memo fromSaddam's office to Iraqi military intelligence ordering a strike with "special ammunition andpossibly implemented by means of the air force, air aviation and artillery". The trial was thenadjourned to 8 January 2007.

Iraq Bar Association (IBA)100. On 16 November, the elections of the president of the Iraqi Bar Association (IBA),were won by Diaa Al Saadi with reportedly some 70% of all votes. His election was annulledhowever by the De-Ba’athification Commission because of his past membership in the Ba’athparty. HRO has called for the establishment of clear investigative powers of the Commissionthat would allow it to make decisions on individual suitability to hold public posts. The De-Ba’athification Commission was also reported to have removed Mazahem al Jbori and Sami alKhatib from the IBA Board of Directors. HRO supports efforts to reform the De-Ba’athification process and new legislation, developed by the De-Ba’athification Commission,contains certain improvements in the application of the de-Ba’athification of appointees. Amain concern has been, however, and remains that the legislation may allow for the intrusivepowers of the Commission to review, and therefore annul, also appointments at the level ofcivil society.Kirkuk101. HRO has received several consistent reports from various NGOs and other sourceson the deteriorating human rights situation in Kirkuk and is particularly concerned by suchdevelopments. Key concerns include the rights of minorities living in Kirkuk and their abilityto effectively participate in its political, economic and social development. Additionalconcerns relate to the use of security forces and the power of detention, including in KRGfacilities by the authorities so as to intimidate and prevent minority groups from playing asignificant role in the city’s affairs. Such violations may well be the prelude of a loomingcrisis in Kirkuk in the coming months.102. HRO plans to establish a significant presence in UNAMI sub-office in Kirkuk assoon as possible. It should be recalled that in January 2005, shortly before the generalelections, a Kirkuk Normalisation Committee was established by Diayad Allawi’s government.However, neither funds nor staff were made available. The Committee did not start work. On4 July 2006, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki replaced Hamid Majid Mousa with Ali Mahdi(Turkoman/Shia from Kirkuk, a CoR member on SCIRI list). This appointment was rejectedby the Kurdistan Alliance.103. On 9 August 2006, Prime Minister Maliki announced the formation of the ‘Article140 Implementation Committee’, replacing the Kirkuk Normalisation Committee. It wasannounced that Hashim Abdulrahman, Iraq Minister of Justice would chair it. Apart from theChairman, the Committee will have eight members: three ministers from Baghdad centralgovernment, three members of Kirkuk Governorate Council, the KRG representative and onerepresentative of Kirkuk Christian community. However, to date, the KRG government hasnot accepted these appointments. The Prime Ministers decree allocates $200 million to theCommittee to perform its task.104. Also in August 2006, the Iraqi Turkoman Front stated that it would obstruct the2007 referendum to determine Kirkuk’s future. The Front also demanded that the UN shouldobserve the holding of a census in Kirkuk. It may be noted that the mandate provided to

UNAMI in Security Council resolution 1546 of 2004 includes assisting the Government of Iraqin the eventual conduct of a comprehensive census. Most Iraqi Turkoman groups claim thatKirkuk was their historical, economic and cultural centre. Kirkuk is heavily controlled bysecurity forces and Kurdish militias. Kurdish militias (Peshmerga) exercise to a large degreeeffective control of the city; most senior official positions are occupied by Kurds or their alliesfrom other ethnicities.105. HRO officials met recently the Kirkuk Governor, Chief of Police, Chief of Army,judges and lawyers, political party representatives, and civil society representatives. Humanrights violations are reportedly committed by security forces at detention centers. In manycases the arrest and detention of people is carried out by Kurdish militias. Detainees are oftentransferred directly to the Kurdistan Region without notifying the governorate or the police.Officials in Kirkuk are aware of such practices, yet no significant effort has been made to stopthen.Even though violence is not on the same level as in Baghdad, on-going human rightsviolations and the surge of violent acts which have significantly increased since 2003 arewidely believed to be the doing of perpetrators and instigators from inside and outside Iraq andKirkuk. Lately and due to the continuing insecurity, ethnic groups have moved closer to theirown communities for protection.106. Women status has not been affected in terms of personal freedom and rights ofeducation and work. Yet the increasing violence and tension among major ethnic groups hasresulted in a real setback for women within society. The number of widows without anyreliable source of income has reached alarming rate in the city. As a result, the overalleconomic situation of the affected families is declining due to an high unemployment rate andlack of new work opportunities. Kidnappings of women and honour killings have not beenproperly addressed by the authorities. The current situation has equally affected the educationsystem. Arabic was the primary official language for schools. At present, schools use thelanguage of the major ethnic group where schools are located: this is having an impact onminority groups within those communities.Mosul107. Violence in Mosul, although less frequent than that engulfing south and central Iraq,has intensified. Mosul officials state that terror attacks by armed groups are significantlycontained. Recently, however local authorities reported that 40 civilians and police officershave been killed on average each week in violent incidents. According to information andreports received by HRO, arbitrary arrest and detention of predominantly “terror suspects”form an inescapable feature of civilian life in Mosul. MNF-I and ISF house raids haveallegedly resulted in damaged or stolen property and contributed to an atmosphere of fear andmistrust. Government officials have acknowledged the problem in recent meetings with HROand have attempted to resolve some of these cases. For instance, the Head of Human RightsCommittee of the Governing Council attended to 360 detention cases since 2005 and securedthe release of 341 detainees as only 19 were eventually charged and convicted in Court. TheGovernor’s Office has also processed claims for compensation from the central Governmentfor affected inhabitants but it is usually inadequate to cover property loss.

108. While professionals, politicians and religious figures fall victim to the violence,attacks are largely oriented against security forces. According to the Mosul Governor, noethnic group has been spared but despite that, the community and religious leaders of all faithshave refused to be divided and have remained united in advocating peace. During 2006, 12journalists were assassinated in Mosul. Shiite families have received threatening letters andhave been killed by foreign fighters. Members of political parties have been kidnapped andkilled. Universities have remained largely unaffected by curfews and violence and educationhas been uninterrupted. On 11 December, the Iraqi Union of Students and Youth receivedinformation that a leaflet was distributed demanding that female students wear theHijab(headscarf).109. However, Talafar district, a mixed Turkoman, Kurdish and Sunni Arab area,remains an exception with a higher degree of sectarian violence and socio-economicdisruption. Terror attacks targeting security forces have often also killed civilians. Mosul hasalso seen an exodus of inhabitants of all ethnicities to the safer northern region. According to aGovernorate source, 50,000 residents would have left since 2004 and there would beapproximately 6000-8000 Kurds living in temporary shelters between Mosul and Erbil. MostChristian IDPs have fled to Dohuk and to villages in the outskirts of Mosul. In both Mosul cityand in the Talafar district, medical facilities and health care have badly deteriorated because oflack of medicine, medical equipment and lack of security for medical professionals.Palestinian refugees110. Killings, threats, intimidations, and kidnappings are becoming the norm forPalestinians in Iraq. Many of these actions are reportedly carried out by the militias wearingpolice or special forces uniform. Most of the victims are found dead or simply disappear.Sixteen Palestinians were kidnapped and 9 killed during the reporting period. HRO receivedunconfirmed reports that many victims were interrogated and killed in illegal detention centresrun by militias. Many residents have reported receiving threatening letters demanding theyevacuate their houses and many of the abandoned houses were later occupied allegedly bymembers of militias or their affiliates.111. On 2 November, two individuals were killed in front of their parents by the IraqiNational Guard in Al Fadil area in Baghdad. On 27 November, the body of 72-year-old TawfiqAbdul Khaliq was found bearing signs of torture. On 13 November, unidentified gunmenkilled a female Palestinian in Al Mashtel area in Baghdad. Her house was occupied by militiasand when she asked MNF-I for help, the militia torched her house before departing. OtherPalestinians were targeted and kidnapped for ransom and then released or killed. On 30November, a taxi driver, was kidnapped at the Al Habibia area and then released. Ashopkeeper was taken from his shop in Al Mashtel area on 2 December. The kidnappers camein one police and three civilian cars. His body was found on 7 December at the Baghdadmorgue.112. Attacks on the Palestinian compound in Baladiyat in Baghdad for instance arefrequent in order to compel Palestinians to leave their dwellings and their belongings.Baladiyat is located in the midst of a Shiite area and threats are usually followed by small arms

fire and mortar attacks. In the past two months, at least six incidents of organized attacks on thePalestinian compound have been recorded, such as on 26 November, when a group of gunmenstormed the quarter and demanded Palestinians leave or be shot. On 9 December, three mortarshells landed in Al Baladiyat wounding ten. On 13 December, mortar attacks continued to rainon the compound for three hours, killing up to 11 and injuring more. There were reports thatthe area was cordoned off by police, according to some accounts, and by militias according toothers, thus preventing injured Palestinians to reach hospitals.113. HRO and UNHCR maintain regular contacts and continue to monitor the situation ofPalestinians. On at least two occasions in December, UNAMI had to call upon MNF-I tointervene while the Palestinian compound was being attacked. The police and MNF-I werereported to have arrived after the attacks had ended, and briefly patrolled the area. UNHCRreported that 350 Palestinians from Iraq (who recently left Baghdad) remain near the Al Tanfborder crossing between Iraq and Syria in a makeshift refugee camp located in the no man'sland between both borders. They have been denied entry by the Syrian government and theyrefused to return to Iraq. As a result, they have been living in increasingly desperatecircumstances for the past six months. There are 131 Palestinians still within Iraq near Al Tanfborder. Similarly, at the border with Jordan, 7 Palestinians remain between the Jordanian andthe Iraqi border.Sexual Orientation114. Even though homosexuality is not condoned in Iraqi society, homosexuals areprotected under Iraqi law. Attacks on homosexuals and intolerance of homosexual practiceshave long existed yet they have escalated in the past year. The current environment of impunityand lawlessness invites a heightened level of insecurity for homosexuals in Iraq. ArmedIslamic groups and militias have been known to be particularly hostile towards homosexuals,frequently and openly engaging in violent campaigns against them. There have been a numberof assassinations of homosexuals in Iraq. At least five homosexual males were reported to havebeen kidnapped from Shaab area in the first week of December by one of the main militias.Their personal documents and information contained in computers were also confiscated. Themutilated body of Amjad, one of the kidnapped, appeared in the same area after a few days.HRO was also alerted to the existence of religious courts, supervised by clerics, wherehomosexuals allegedly would be “tried,” “sentenced” to death and then executed.4115. According to the Iraqi LGBT society, twenty-six of their members have been killedsince 2003. This include the murders in 2006 of two minors, eleven-year-old Ameer andfourteen-year-old Ahmed, because of their alleged sexual orientation even though both werereportedly forced into child prostitution. Another two young women were murdered in NajafAccording to the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, “thetrials, presided over by young inexperiencedclerics, are held (…)in ordinary halls. Gays and rapists face anything from 40 lashes to the deathpenalty.(…) One of the self-appointed judges in Sadr City, believes that homosexuality is on the wane inIraq. "Most [gays] have been killed and others have fled," he said. Indeed, the number who've soughtasylum in the UK has risen noticeably over the last few months. (…) He insists the religious courts have alot to be proud of, "We now represent a society that asked us to protect it not only from thieves andterrorists but also from these [bad] deeds.” Institutefor War and Peace Reporting: Baghdad Gays Fear forTheir Lives (20 October 2006), (http://www.iwpr.net)4

also because of their allegedly sexual orientation. Allegedly, three Fatwas would have beenissued by Islamic clerics authorising “good Muslims” to hunt and kill homosexuals.MNF-I operations and investigation of allegations of human rights violations116. In November, HRO submitted an official memorandum to MNF-I Chief of Staff,Major General Thomas L. Moore, Jr., requesting more detailed information on a number ofincidents involving MNF-I activities in Ramadi and Fallujah. These included also the use offacilities protected by the Geneva Conventions, such as hospitals and schools, as militarybases. HRO would like to stress the importance of MNF-I investigating and reporting onallegations of violations of human rights and humanitarian laws.117. Military operations continued in Al Anbar Governorate, in particular Ramadi,Fallujah and Heet. Ramadi and Fallujah have seen relatively constant fighting between MNF-Iand insurgents in some districts, completely disrupting the functioning of social services andresulting in a high degree of displacement and casualties. In Ramadi, for instance, MNF-I isalleged to have bombed Ramadi electric power station with fighter jets on 27 November,wounding one engineer and two technicians, and leaving the city without electricity for anumber of days.118. In Ramadi, about 200 families were reported to have left their houses in November.According to the Ramadi General Hospital, during the first week of November, MNF-I sniperswere reported as having allegedly killed 13 civilians. The General Hospital staff reported asevere shortage of medicines, staff and equipment. For several months now, patients haverefrained from using the hospital for fear of snipers allegedly placed on the hospital roof, inaddition to the military occupation of the hospital garden. No school attendance was reportedin Ramadi, except for a limited number of schools with few students on the outskirts of thecity. The MNF-I and Iraqi Forces had allegedly occupied 11 public schools in Katana, Aziziya,Al-Mu’alimeen and Al-Jameea districts. In addition, Anbar University was not functioning dueto threats by insurgents.119. HRO has received reports to the effect that on 5 November, around 21:00, MNF Iunits gathered Iraqi citizens near the General Hospital building in Heet. Allegedly, seven menwere killed and ten wounded in this operation. Among the dead, there was Sabti Jumaa Hayan,who was reportedly sick and in bed at the time.120. HRO received information that between 7-8 December, MNF-I Air Force raided twohouses in Jazera area of Al-Eshaqi sub-district of Salahaddin Governorate resulting in thedeaths of 37 civilians residing in two farm houses. A source in Tikrit Hospital informed HROthat most of the victims were already dead even before the air raids. They bore execution–stylegun-shot wounds. He claimed to have seen 17 victims - 5 females, 6 children, 2 elderly men,and 4 adult male with these wounds. Amer Alwan, Al Esshaqi District Commissioner alsoannounced that all 17 bodies bore bullet marks and were apparently killed before the air-raids.MNF I has reportedly claimed that the air strikes were an anti terror operation and in responseto shootings coming from the houses. On 19 December, HRO requested MNF-I for moreinformation regarding this raid.

121. One of four U.S. soldiers accused of raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl before killing herand her family was conditionally sentenced, on 10 November, in Fort Campbell, Ky, USA, to90 years in prison with the possibility of parole. The sentence -- which is subject to review by ahigher military authority and could be reduced -- was imposed on Specialist James Barker aftera two-day court-martial. He had pleaded guilty to rape and murder and agreed to testify againstothers charged in the case in exchange for escaping the death penalty.122. On 22 December, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., USA, eight Marines were charged inthe killings of 24 Iraqi civilians last year during a military operation in the town of Haditha.Four of the Marines -- all enlisted men -- were charged with unpremeditated murder. The otherfour were officers accused of failures in investigating and reporting the deaths. The mostserious charges were brought against Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, a 26-year-old squad leaderaccused of murdering 12 civilians and ordering the murders of six more. With respect toMahmudiya: 5 soldiers have been charged in the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girland the murder of her family. So far, 1 soldier pleaded guilty to avoid a death sentence.Another soldier was discharged.Promotion of Human Rights123. Complementing the efforts of the International Compact for Iraq, the Rule of LawSector Working Group (ROLSWG) continues to lead consultations on the justice and rule oflaw reforms in Iraq and provides an opportunity for meaningful engagement between the HighJudicial Council, and the Ministries of Human Rights, Interior, Justice, and Defence.Consultations within the framework of the ROLSWG continued with the first meeting of theCore Team of the Ministry of Interior on 23 November. Core teams were formed in order tofacilitate discussions at the practical level and to articulate short term needs of key Iraqi rule oflaw institutions.124. A draft Assistance Framework was developed by HRO based on the needs ofMinistry of Interior as expressed by the Ministry early in 2006 in the unified work paperpresented by Chief Justice Mr. Medhat Mahmoud on behalf of the High Judicial Council (HJC)as well as the Ministries of Justice, Interior, Human Rights, Defence and Planning andDevelopment Cooperation. A conference on the Rule of Law is planned to take place inBaghdad, in mid January 2007 and will offer a real prospect for the HJC and the Governmentof Iraq to assume a leading role and a meaningful engagement in the development and reformof Iraq’s justice sector institutions. The conference, which would be chaired by the ChiefJustice, with the support and participation of other Ministries, the UN and the donorcommunity, would discuss short- and long-term needs in the rule of law sector. Main outcomeof the conference would be an Iraqi overall strategic framework in the rule of law sector, andthus key elements for a justice reform program. The work of the various core teams wouldconstitute the point of departure for this exercise and be presented by the various Ministriesand the HJC and then be organically integrated with the overall strategic framework for therule of law. The outcome of the meeting will contribute to the International Compact for Iraqand inform further action by the Government of Iraq and the international community in therule of law sector over the next few years.

125. During the reporting period, HRO has carried out a number of activities within theframework of its “Human Rights Project for Iraq 2006-2007”. Based on the belief that creatingopen channels of communication and exchange of information between the MoHR and otherkey rule of law Ministries is crucial to the process of developing a culture of human rights inIraq, HRO organized a meeting in Baghdad entitled “Strengthening of Human RightsProtection in Iraq: The Role of the Ministry of Human Rights” on 13-15 November, 2006. Theevent was organized so as to give the MoHR the opportunity to present its new structure andcore functions to officials from other key Iraqi Ministries as well as the Human RightsCommittee of the Council of Representatives. The event resulted in specific recommendationsfor action by the MoHR and further provided a platform for intensive discussions on how bestto improve human rights protection as well as cooperation, share information, and especiallycoordinate follow up action on human rights within the government structure and with otherState institutions.126. As part of the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, on 10December, 2006, the Ministry of Human Rights, with the support of HRO, held a meeting with32 representatives of Iraqi national media entities, who discussed with the Minister for HumanRights ways of enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights and supporting thework of the Ministry. On 11 December 2006, UNAMI hosted a meeting of the Minister ofHuman Rights, with Ambassadors representing different countries in order to discuss ways andmeans to support the activities of the MoHR for the promotion and protection of human rights.On 12 December 2006, MoHR, with the support of HRO, met with representatives of 47 Iraqinon-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights throughout Iraq. Themeeting provided an opportunity to strengthen communication between the Ministry and theIraqi civil society, and to define ways of cooperating in order to achieve common objectiveswith regard to improving the human rights situation in Iraq.127. In line with the objectives of the Human Rights Project for Iraq 2006-2007,UNAMI/HRO has continued to provide support for the establishment of well equipped andwell functioning human rights libraries in various Ministries, in the Council of Representatives,and in Iraqi Universities. A shipment of OHCHR publications is being distributed in Baghdad,Erbil and Basra to the various Ministries and rule of law institutions. As a further means ofassistance to enhance access to human rights documentation in governmental and publiclibraries, HRO and OHCHR, with the help of UNOPS, and in partnership with the HumanRights Information and Documentation Systems International (HURIDOCS), organized a 10-day training course for 14 Iraqi personnel working in legal and human rights libraries onmodern information management techniques. The training took place from 27 November to 8December 2006, in Geneva, Switzerland.128. In order to sustain the work of the independent National Human Rights Commissiononce established by the Council of Representatives a three years comprehensive project hasbeen developed by HRO for possible funding by a number of interested donors countries andthe United Nations. The project covers all basic aspects of the work of the Commission,including training and security for the Commissioners.

129. In line with the conviction that women’s rights are an integral and inseparable partof human rights, HRO has started a study on the situation of rights of minority women in Iraq.The study is carried out in partnership with UNIFEM, Minority Rights Group International,and the Iraqi Minorities Council. The study will not only document the situation of minoritywomen but will provide an informative basis that can be effectively used for any programs andpolicies aiming at supporting and improving the situation of minority women. In connectionwith Human Rights Day, on 10-11 December 2006, HRO, with the assistance of UNOPS, andin cooperation with UNIFEM organized in Amman, Jordan, a preparatory meeting for theimplementation of the study. The meeting brought together the different partner organizationsand the research team. Also as part of Human Rights Week activities in Iraq, HRO hassupported the MoHR in the launching a poster competition for elementary and secondaryschools throughout Iraq. The competition is used as a tool to raise awareness among schoolchildren on the importance of promoting human rights. The competition will be carried out bythe MoHR and the Iraqi Ministry of Education.Basra130. In Basra, HRO, and in coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of HumanRights, successfully completed a three-seminar training of “Basra Leadership and HumanRights Awareness” that had started on 20 October and concluded on 6 December 2006. Thetraining targeted around 85 high-level officials, religious leaders, members of the politicalparties, members of the provincial council, regional ministries representatives and non-governmental organizations and tribal sheikhs in which several human rights concerns andrecommendations were discussed, including raising awareness on human rights in general,woman and children rights, rule of law and the international and Arabic standards, transitionaljustice and national reconciliation.Erbil131. HRO Erbil celebrated Human Rights Day by distributing to NGOs, universities,government agencies and Ministries a HRO-designed poster to commemorate the event and aspecial edition CD-Rom containing major HR instruments and HRO materials in both Englishand Arabic languages. HRO met with various NGOs, governorate and parliamentary officialsand Ministers from the three governorates in the reporting period to discuss issues of protectionand promotion of human rights. HRO organized its first in-house half-day seminar entitled“Monitoring and Reporting Violations of Women’s Rights”at UNAMI premises on 18December. 14 participants from UN, NGOs from the three Governorates and representativesfrom Ministries and Parliament attended. This is the first of a series of monthly in-houseseminars for small groups of participants focusing on thematic human rights issues andtechnical skills training such as report writing.