This page summarizes cases raised with Iraq by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from Iraq.
Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared.
Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) – the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available).
Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Iraq, English).
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Observations
Responses to communications
The Special Rapporteur regrets not having received a response to his communications. He considers responses to his communications to be an important part of the cooperation of Governments with his mandate, in line with Human Rights Council resolutions 24/5 (2013), 21/16 (2012) and 15/21 (2010).
Environment in which these rights are exercised
The Special Rapporteur reiterates his concern at the allegations of arrest and ill-treatment of Mr. Amara and Mr. Al Tamimi in retaliation for their legitimate human rights work at the Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly and as a reprisal for their cooperation with the Unites Nations. He regrets that similar allegations have been raised regarding other human rights defenders working for the Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly. He fears that these allegations might have a chilling effect on the activities of other human rights defenders, particularly if the authorities do not take action to convict the authors of these violations.
He reminds the Government that the right to freedom of association, as protected by article 22 of the ICCPR, obliges the State to take positive measures to establish and maintain an enabling environment so that human rights defenders can operate freely without fear of being subjected to violence. This implies the duty to protect human rights defenders, and prosecute the perpetrators of violence committed against human rights defenders.
For the full reports, containing communications, replies and observations for all countries, see the following links:
Report A/HRC/20/27/Add.3: May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012
Report A/HRC/23/39/Add.2: March 16, 2012 to February 28, 2013
Report A/HRC/26/29/Add.1: March 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014
Report A/HRC/29/25/Add.3: March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
Report A/HRC/32/36/Add.3: March 1, 2015 to February 28, 2016
Report A/HRC/35/28/Add.4: March 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017
