Iraq Country report from Krmanj Othman-ISHR section president for IRAQ 

We recently attended a meeting of the High Committee of Child Protection in the Kurdistan region of Iraq to prepare for a scientific conference in 2024, focused on child rights, including protection, prevention, and rehabilitation. As ISHR, we shared our insights and information to help protect children from human rights violations and to align local laws with international standards. The meeting, which took place on February 5th in the city of Erbil, brought together local and international stakeholders working in the field of children’s rights from both governmental and non-governmental organizations. 

On the 16th  of January in the city of Erbil, we participated in a demonstration and march against the Iranian regime’s attack in Erbil and violation of human rights. 

On 18 of January we were interviewed by Al Sharqya, Iraqi satellite channel regarding the human rights situation in Iraq and the role of Iraqi militias and Iran on Iraqi and Kurdistan peace and security.  

On the 18th of January, we were interviewed on K24 satellite channel to discuss the role of the international community in protecting human rights based on a collective human security approach. The full interview can be viewed at

https://youtu.be/B6wj7-_y3Us?si=3rsdRFxNQbD8BtAn 

On the 29th of January, we published a legal article under the title ” Critical review of security council resolution of UN under number 2379 on ISIS crimes in Iraq and it is prosecution.” In this publication, we addressed the necessity to strengthen the role of UN to investigate and prosecute ISIS crimes in Iraq against minorities as Yezedies, Christian, and Kurdish through international mechanisms.  

On January 29th, as IGFM, we conducted a seminar on human rights in Erbil. The seminar was a part of our human rights awareness-raising strategy for university students from the faculties of law, international relations, and diplomacy at Salahaddin University in Erbil. The seminar was attended by a total of 25 students, both male and female. 

On the 1st of February, we were interviewed by the Harem news agency; we discussed the acts of aggression against the Kurdistan region of Iraq and their threat to international peace and security. We also discussed the Iranian attack on the city of Erbil and the killing of civilians and children.