The Kurdistan
Centre for International Law (KCIL) is honoured to have participated in the
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for Iraq in Geneva. The KCIL Director, Hawre
Ahmed, was invited to the session by UPR Info, the esteemed organization
responsible for organizing this vital international forum.
During the
session, Mr. Hawre addressed critical issues concerning justice and
accountability. He highlighted the urgent need to domesticate international
criminal law in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, advocating for
robust legal frameworks that align with global standards. Additionally, he
called on Iraq to ratify the Rome Statute, enabling it to join the
International Criminal Court (ICC) and strengthen its commitment to addressing
serious international crimes.
The KCIL also
presented a key recommendation to establish a national centre for managing
evidence collected by the United Nations for Promoting ISIS Accountability
(UNITAD). Over its seven years of operation, UNITAD has gathered substantial
evidence of ISIS atrocities, and the proposed centre would ensure the effective
handling and utilization of this critical material in pursuing justice.
The KCIL remains committed in its mission to promote the principles
of international law and human rights while advocating for mechanisms to ensure
justice and accountability across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
For the KCIL statement and recommendations, please click PDF
Version.