Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2017-18
UPN Alm.del Bilag 263
Offentligt
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The Royal Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Regional Stabilisation Programme for Syria and Iraq, 2016-2018
The Regional Stabilisation Programme for Syria and Iraq is aimed at countering ISIL and other
extremist groups in Syria and Iraq and to promote an inclusive political resolution to the conflict
in Syria and support a more stable and inclusive Iraq. Activities include support to the
stabilisation needs in both countries and support to civil society and moderate actors that provide
an alternative to extremism and contribute to building more stable, democratic and inclusive
societies.
The Programme has three thematic focus areas:
Focus Area 1: Political Dialogue and Peacebuilding
is aimed at reinforcing peace initiatives
in Syria and reconciliation efforts in Iraq, thereby countering ISIL and other extremist groups
and promoting the role of moderate actors.
A key priority is the support to the political process led by the UN to promote a peaceful solution
to the conflict in Syria and the support to civil society organisations that play a key role in
anchoring a future political agreement and can serve as an important building stone for a
democratic Syria.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria (UNDPA).
Since the beginning of the Syrian conflict,
Denmark has supported the promotion of a peaceful political solution to the conflict
through contributions to the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, channelled
through the UN Department of Political Affairs (UNDPA).
Syrian Civil Society Centre, Baytna
works to strengthen civil society to act as a force
for democratic change through capacity building and by providing small grants to
moderate civil society actors and by acting as a coordination hub for civil society actors.
Capacity building is solely provided in opposition-held areas in Idlib, Aleppo, Daraa and
Quneitra, while 2 sub-grants have also been provided to minor conflict-mitigation projects
to opposition-leaning communities in regime-dominated areas in Hama and Damascus
provinces. The beneficiaries are non-regime actors.
The Day After (TDA)
works with civil society actors in opposition-held areas in Idlib,
Aleppo, Northern Homs, Daraa and Quneitra as well as Syrian actors outside Syria on
activities including community mobilisation on rule of law, accountability and transitional
justice.
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The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM)
was established by
the United Nations General Assembly on 21 December 2016 and is placed in Geneva,
Switzerland. The objective of IIIM is to assist in the investigation and prosecution of
persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the
Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011.
Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA)
is aimed at
strengthening and enhancing international and domestic accountability for atrocity crimes
(genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes) committed by the belligerent parties in all
accessible areas of Syria and former ISIL-dominated areas of Iraq. Efforts are focused on
building case files for prosecution, making analyses and storing evidence of serious
violations in accordance with the necessary international criminal law standard for
prosecution at the International Criminal Court. CIJA works with partners on the ground
throughout Syria.
UNDP; support for Integrated Reconciliation in Iraq.
The objective is to initiate a
comprehensive plan for a government- and Iraqi-led reconciliation process, executed in a
consistent and inclusive manner and implemented through decentralized and local
mechanisms. UNDP has signed a MoU with the Government of Iraq concerning capacity
building of the National Reconciliation Commission, mandated to lead a national process
for reconciliation. Moreover, seven local Peace Councils in Anbar, Ninewah, Salah al-Din,
Diyala and Kirkuk have been established.
Focus Area 2: Resilience and Rapid Response
is aimed at enhancing community resilience
and return of IDPs through mine clearance, improved access and provision of priority services
in former ISIL-held areas of Iraq and areas under opposition control in Syria.
The Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF)
assists Syrian communities in opposition-
controlled areas - Idlib, Aleppo, Daraa through recovery and rehabilitation efforts
undertaken in partnership with local councils, local community organisations and the
Syrian Interim Government. Activities include restoration of basic services in provision of
water, electricity, sanitation, food security, health, education and waste removal.
The UN Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS).
Together with the Government of
Iraq, the FFS contributes to a range of immediate and extended stabilisation needs in the
liberated areas. The implementation of projects is anchored within the UN Country Team
and the Iraqi authorities at national and governorate levels. FFS has more than 2000
projects completed or underway in 31 locations in Anbar, Ninewah, Salah al-Din, Diyala
and Kirkuk.
United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)
addresses a critical precondition for
effective stabilisation and the return of IDPs in the form of removal of large quantities of
unexploded ordnance left behind by retreating ISIL, as well as providing mine risk
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education (MRE) to tens of thousands of Iraqis. UNMAS has clearance and MRE activities
in Anbar, Ninewah, Salah al-Din, Diyala and Kirkuk.
Sterling/Janus; Conventional weapons destruction in Anbar province.
Denmark has
provided a contribution to Sterling/Janus to meet the immediate mine clearance needs in
Ramadi in Iraq to enhance community safety and promote the return of IDPs.
Tetra Tech; Mine clearance in Raqqa province.
The objective of the project is to
survey, mark, and clear explosive hazards from critical infrastructure in the Raqqa Province
in northeast Syria, which has been liberated from the control of ISIL, while simultaneously
developing and strengthening the local Syrian national capacity on mine clearance.
Focus Area 3: Community Security and Governance
aims at providing a framework to
strengthen community security and the promotion of inclusive governance by moderate actors
in Syria and the Government in Iraq.
The Access to Justice and Community Security Programme (AJACS)
supports
moderate civilian actors, notably the Free Syrian Police, who provides security and serve
communities in opposition-held areas in Idlib, Aleppo and Daraa as viable alternatives to
the regime, ISIL and other extremist groups.
Syria
Civil Defence/”White Helmets”.
Denmark supports the Syria Civil Defence via
the NGO Mayday. Syria Civil Defence was formed as a grassroots reaction to the aerial and
ground bombardment of civilian communities in Syria in 2013 and delivers essential
services such as rescue, fire-fighting, utility restoration and ambulance services in all areas
of Syria where the access of the civil defenders is granted, which is currently the case in
Aleppo, Idlib, Lattakia, Hama, Homs, Rif Damascus, Quneitra and Daraa
UNDP; support to Security Sector Reform in Iraq.
The purpose of the programme is
to support the Government of Iraq to enhance state security and justice provision for
improved security and stronger public trust in state capacity to maintain security from day-
to-day public safety to combating serious crime in Iraq. While special attention has been
given to Anbar, the program work with a whole of Iraq approach, delivered in cooperation
with the Office of the National Security Advisor and line-ministries.
Border security, Lebanon.
Denmark supports relevant Lebanese authorities in managing
the border with Syria. The objective is to enhance capacities of Lebanese agencies and
personnel involved in land border management at all levels to ensure stability in the border
region between Lebanon and Syria.
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