Activating International Treaties and Human Rights Mechanisms in Iraq

A workshop was conducted in Baghdad on 20/1/2018 on activating international treaties and human rights mechanisms in Iraq. The Executive Director of the Democracy House Organization (DHO) noted that patterns of violations still occur frequently in Iraq, despite the country’s ratification of many international agreements on human rights. He explained that this is due to weak rights awareness among law enforcement authorities on one hand, and among various segments of Iraqi society on the other.

The organization’s strategy aims to train the most influential groups in promoting and enhancing the culture of human rights and the implementation of international treaties, including:

Human rights activists

University professors and students

Media professionals

Government officials responsible for human rights

Police officers and judiciary members to ensure effective law enforcement

Participants received lectures on:

International human rights conventions and treaties

United Nations human rights bodies

International humanitarian law

National, regional, and international protection mechanisms, with emphasis on the Universal Periodic Review mechanism at the Human Rights Council

How to access human rights information online

How to submit complaints to UN Human Rights Special Rapporteurs via the internet