Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons
| by: Razan al-Shammari/GICJ |  |
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, delivered two related reports, A/HRC/44/41, and A/HRC/44/41/Add.1, at the 44th session of the Human Rights Council.
The main report (A/HRC/44/41) discusses the ongoing challenges and the measures needed to be taken by States, the UN, and other humanitarian actors to guarantee the human rights of the IDPs, including those with disabilities. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes in her report the engagement of organizations “of” persons with disabilities in decision-making proceses.
The second report (A/HRC/44/41/Add.1), covers the Special Rapporteur’s visit to Iraq. It discusses the ongoing challenges in Iraq, including human rights violations committed by the Iraqi security forces and pro-government forces against civilians and the IDPs.
At the 44th session, the Special Rapporteur encourages States and other actors to shift from awareness of disabilities to a proactive human rights-based disability inclusion strategy. IDPs with disabilities should enjoy the same equal rights of participation in decision-making processes.
The Special Rapporteur calls on the Government of Iraq to ensure that returns are safe, voluntary, informed, and dignified. As the country concerned, Iraq responded that the government is taking enough measures to protect and support the IDPs in Iraq. The statement delivered by the delegation of Iraq does not reflect reality or what the Special Rapporteur had highlighted.
Several countries and groups supported the strategy of a proactive human rights-based disability inclusion strategy.
The African Group were united in their statements, mostly mentioning terrorism as a root cause of displacement. Therefore, African countries also paid attention to the Kampala Convention for the protection and assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa. This reflects a good collaboration at a regional level.
GICJ delivered a joint statement with EAFORD, highlighting the armed groups who are committing violations against the IDPs in Iraq. The statement also highlighted the sectarian system in Iraq, which relies on the militias. GICJ further cautions the Special Rapporteur that the Iraqi government is not a reliable source, and cannot be dependent on, as cases have shown that they have been complicit in the crimes committed by the militias.
Click here to read the full report.
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