Written reports

Preparing written reports to the Human Rights Council, which later become part of the official documentation of the Council is an important part of the work of GICJ. Ahead of the 25th session of the Human Rights Council GICJ thus submitted a number of reports, which can be found below:

Reports submitted under agenda item 2

Annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Human rights violations under anti-terrorism measures in Iraq

Although terrorism in itself is a serious challenge to any society and should be dealt with proactively, countering terrorism measures can also be used as justification for human rights violations. This fact has been sadly proven at the example of Iraq, where the already tensed situation escalated at the turn of the year 2013/2014 with a military operation undertaken by the Iraqi government in the province of al-Anbar.

The full report can be found here

Reports submitted under agenda item 3

Promotion and protection of all human rights:civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

Birth defects, cancers and infant mortality in Fallujah Iraq

For two decades, Iraqi population have been subjected to grave human rights violations, caused by war, foreign occupation and international sanctions. Years later Iraq is suffering from a high toxic level of lead, mercury contamination and depleted uranium pollution in many regions, which led to indirect killings. About 1200 tonnes of ammunition were dropped on Iraq during the wars of 1991 and 2003. Most significant was the bombardement of Fallujah and al-Basra. In both cities an upsetting number of birth defects, ranging from congenital heart defects to brain dysfunctions and malformations has been reported during the years following the invasion.

The full report can be found here

Reports submitted under agenda item 4

Human Rights Situations that require the Council's attention

Universality in Ending Impunity

The principle of universality is one of the essential characteristics of human rights. Upholding these values is the collective responsibility of the international community. Against all good intentions, the international community however failed in 2003 to prevent an illegal invasion against Iraq. Eleven years later the injustice inflicted on the Iraqi people is still not properly rectified., who are still waiting in vain for an official apology, for compensation to paid, or the responsible to be held accountable. Yet, correctly acknowledge and address injustice, ending impunity for perpetrators of mass atrocities and providing measures of satisfaction is the only way to keep up the moral authority of the international community, prevent future atrocities and create sustainable peace.

The full report can be found here

Death Penalty in Iraq

Since the US invasion and occupation of 2003, the number of people executed in Iraq is constantly rising. Despite persistent international outcries the Iraqi government has on numerous occasions declared it would not halt executions and disregard the numerous calls concerning the use of the death penalty. With a record of 170 people hanged Iraq was placed among the top three executioner states of the world in 2013. On 23 January, 11 alleged terrorists were further executed. In January 2014 a horrifying number of 49 people were executed. NGOs found that on the same day of the latest executions in January 2014, the President ratified around 200 further death sentences.

The full report can be found here

Systematic and Widespread Unlawful Arrests in Iraq

An alarmingly increasing rate of targeted and random arrests without warrant, charges or based on suspicion of involvement in terroristic activity further agitate the sectarian tensions and cause more violence in Iraq. This policy was master-minded during the illegal occupation to fuel hatred and create false divisions in the Iraqi society. The current Iraqi administration continues this misconduct in a systematic and widespread manner. The arrests are often indiscriminate in nature and represent a regular well-known practice with the excessive use of force, including lethal force during the arrest raids. The majority of the arbitrary arrests are sectarian and politically motivated under the pretext of the fight against terrorism.

The full report can be found here

The plight of Iraqi women

Whilst conflict inflicts suffering on everyone, women are particularly affected by its short- and long-term effects. In general they face many challenges in conflict and post-conflict environments – including extreme poverty, displacement from their homes, destruction of social networks, and limited opportunities for employment and income generation. The core reason which continuously reinforces the abuse and discrimination of women in Iraq is the destruction of the whole health and education system during the US invasion and occupation left women highly vulnerable to life after the war together with the corrupt and flawed judicial system which leaves perpetrators of abuses and violence against women unpunished.

The full report can be found here

Reports submitted under agenda item 7

Human Rights Situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab Territories

Palestinian Refugees

Palestinian refugees are the indigenous population of Palestine, who following the 1948 declaration of the State of Israel were expelled or left as a result of the conflict. The dispossession and expulsion continued during the 1967 war until this day. Today 5 million Palestinian refugees displaced in 1948 are registered for assistance with the UN Relief and Works Agency in addition to an estimated 1.5 million Palestinian refugees who are still not registered. Despite numerous UN resolutions the plight of the Palestinian refugees still continues.

The full report can be found here

Reports submitted under agenda item 9

Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the durban declaration

Discrimination: The case Europe

Racial discrimination and xenophobia constitute a negation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Politicians play a decisive role in encouraging political parties to take concrete steps to promote these values, however, instead of combating xenophobia, the political environment in Europe, particularly far right political parties and the mass media manipulate Anti-Muslims sentiment and Islamophobia in Europe.

The full reort can be found here