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The legend of the 4th cent Sts Behnam and Sarah casts Sennacherib (r.705-681 BCE), under the name Sinharib, as their royal father. After Behnam converts to Christianity, Sinharib orders his execution, but is later struck by a dangerous disease that is cured through being baptized by St Matthew in Assur. Thankful, Sinharib then converts to Christianity and founds an important monastery near Mosul, called Deir Mar Mattai.

 

The Monastery was destroyed on March 19, 2015, by Daesh (Isis) who desecrated the exterior murals in all of the monastery's buildings. Repair work restoring the monastery and the tomb of Mar Behnam to its pre-ISIS condition was completed by December 2018.

The legend of the 4th cent Sts Behnam and Sarah casts Sennacherib (r.705-681 BCE), under the name Sinharib, as their royal father. After Behnam converts to Christianity, Sinharib orders his execution, but is later struck by a dangerous disease that is cured through being baptized by St Matthew in Assur. Thankful, Sinharib then converts to Christianity and founds an important monastery near Mosul, called Deir Mar Mattai.

 

The Monastery was destroyed on March 19, 2015, by Daesh (Isis) who desecrated the exterior murals in all of the monastery's buildings. Repair work restoring the monastery and the tomb of Mar Behnam to its pre-ISIS condition was completed by December 2018.

The legend of the 4th cent Sts Behnam and Sarah casts Sennacherib (r.705-681 BCE), under the name Sinharib, as their royal father. After Behnam converts to Christianity, Sinharib orders his execution, but is later struck by a dangerous disease that is cured through being baptized by St Matthew in Assur. Thankful, Sinharib then converts to Christianity and founds an important monastery near Mosul, called Deir Mar Mattai.

 

The Monastery was destroyed on March 19, 2015, by Daesh (Isis) who desecrated the exterior murals in all of the monastery's buildings. Repair work restoring the monastery and the tomb of Mar Behnam to its pre-ISIS condition was completed by December 2018.

SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict Bangura visit to Iraq

 

Baghdad, 26 - 28 February 2017 - On the invitation of the Government of Iraq the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura is visiting Iraq.

On 26 February 2017 SRSG Bangura met with Mr. Erfan Mahmood Al Hayali, Iraqi Minister of Defense. The implementation of the Joint Communique to address conflict related sexual violence (which was signed in New York in September 2016) was discussed as well as the importance of enforcing accountability for the unprecedented, systematic campaign of sexual violence committed by DAESH.

In the meeting with Mr. Shorish Khalid Saeed, Iraqi Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, SRSG Bangura discussed the structured collaboration and implementation of the Joint Communique with special emphasis on the survivors centered approach in dealing with these crimes.

SRSG Bangura met with H. E. Dr. Salim Al-Jobouri, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives (CoR). Legislative work that CoR is undertaking in alleviating the consequences of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by DAESH by providing legal framework for the prosecution of perpetrators of these crimes was discussed. SRSG Bangura confirmed readiness of the United Nations to provide support and expertize in achieving these goals. It was highlighted that Iraqi results in this field can establish a model that might become a blue print for other countries in similar situations.

SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, met with H. E. Mr. Haider Al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq. Comprehensive collaboration on the implementation of the Joint Communique to address conflict related sexual violence was discussed with special emphasis on the documentation of the cases and persecution of the perpetuators of the sexual violence crimes committed by DAESH. The need to address these serious crimes and the sensitivity of the long term consequences for the victims and the whole society were highlighted.

In the meeting with Mr. Mahmoud Al-Bayati, Director General, Counter-Terrorism and National Security Advisor, SRSG Bangura discussed the structured collaboration on the implementation of the Joint Communique with special emphasis on the enforcement of accountability for the unprecedented, systematic campaign of sexual violence committed by DAESH.

 

On 27 February 2017, SRSG Bangura met with Mr. Haidar al-Zamili, Iraqi Minister of Justice. The need to provide legal framework for the prosecution of the perpetrators of the horrendous sexual violence crimes and means to obtain and protect evidences and witnesses were discussed. SRSG Bangura confirmed readiness of the United Nations to provide support and expertize so that these goals could be achieved in accordance with the highest standards of the international human rights and criminal law.

 

In a meeting with Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Jaf, Iraqi Minister for Migrations and Displacement SRSG Bangura discussed the issue of support to the victims of sexual violence, currently located in IDP camps, to cope with trauma and possible stigma.

 

SRSG Bangura with Mr. Faeq Zaidan, the Head of the High Judicial Council of Iraq discussed the strengthening of the legal framework and training of judges for the filing and processing of the cases of sexual violence committed by Daesh, with the special emphasis on the need to implement the highest standards of the international criminal law and human rights.

In her separate meetings with Mr. Taqi Al Mawla, a Turkmen Shi’a religious leader, and with a group of prominent Sunni religious leaders, SRSG Bangura discussed the role of religious leaders in sensitizing the communities on the issue of assistance to the victims of sexual violence to cope with their traumas and possible stigma.

On 28 February 2017, SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Mrs. Bangura, met with a group of Representatives of the Council of Representatives (CoR). The CoR representatives described the ongoing efforts they are undertaking to improve the existing legal framework to facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence and to better address the consequences of these crimes, including issues related to forced marriages and the situation of children born to survivors of rape. SRSG Bangura confirmed readiness of the United Nations to provide support and expertize in achieving these goals.

 

In the continuation of her visit to Iraq SRSG Bangura travels to Kurdistan Region.

 

Photos by UNAMI PIO.

 

Position des HPG, les combattants du PKK, au sud de Kirkuk près de la bille de Hawijah. La semaine précédente, ils ont du intervenir à Kirkuk même pour aider les peshmergas à contrer une attaque surprise de daesh dans la ville. Sur ce front, quelques accrochages réguliers se produisent. Mais le plus souvent, un grand silence règne dans les champs abandonnés et les ruines des villages bombardés par la coalition.

Die Partei Die Linke verleiht in Berlin Kreuzberg zum achten Mal den Clara-Zetkin-Frauenpreis an Initiativen, die sich im vergangenen Jahr für die Rechte von Frauen in der Gesellschaft stark gemacht haben.

Preisträger 2018 ist die Initiative "TAJÊ - Freiheitsbewegung/Frauenräte der ezidischen Frauen", die jesidische Frauen berät und in der Bewältigung ihrer Erlebnisse durch die Verfolgung und Versklavung durch Daesh (IS) hilft. Der Sonderpreis geht dieses Jahr an Dr. Kristina Hänel, die nicht nur auf ein Leben im Kampf für die Rechte von Frauen zurückblicken kann, sondern zudem auch bundesweite Bekanntheit erlangte, nachdem sie nach §219a StGB verurteilt wurde.

Insgesamt wurden acht Initiativen nominiert. Der CareSlam! wurde von Yvonne Falckner begründet und gibt Pflegenden eine Bühne, um über ihre Arbeitsbedingungen zu sprechen. Bekannt wurde das Format durch einen Auftritt der CareSlammerin Sabrina Maar in der ZDF-Sendung "Die Anstalt" Anfang Dezember 2017. Ebenfalls nominiert wurde ein "Containerprojekt für wohnungslose Frauen", welches sich den besonderen Anforderungen von Frauen und Transgendern in der Obdachlosigkeit annimmt und ihnen eine unterkunft bietet. Das "Frauenorchesterprojekt (FOP)" ist ein Frauenchor unter der Leitung von Mary Ellen Kitchens, welcher es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht hat, Musik von Frauen hörbar zu machen. Die "Kontaktstelle "Frauen für Frauen" wurde ebenso nominiert wie "RosaLinde e.V.- Queer Refugee Network" kämpft gegen die sprichwörtlichen "Sächsischen Zustände" an, indem es queeren Geflüchteten in Leipzig Unterstützung und Beratung zuteil werden lässt. Der "ver.di-Bezirksfrauenrat München" legt ein Augenmerk auf die Bedürfnisse und Herausforderungen von Frauen im Berufsleben.

Die einzelnen Projekte wurden von Politikerinnen der Partei Die Linke vorgestellt. Darunter waren Simone Barrientos (MdB), Lucy Redler, Juliane Nagel (MdB). Die Preise wurden von Katja Kipping übergeben. Für die musikalische Begleitung sorgte die Rapperin aus Zimbabwe AWA KHIWE.

A woman wearing a pink glittery mask holds a large home-made placard which reads "If you say yes to war you say yes to murder of innocent children".

  

Thousands attend "Don't Bomb Syria" anti-war protest at Downing Street: London 28/11/2015

 

In anticipation of MP's voting next week on whether or not the UK government should launch an air-strike campaign in Syria, thousands of anti-war protesters gathered outside Downing Street to voice their opposition to armed intervention in the region.

 

All photos © Pete Riches

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These young women gave an incredibly strong speech about the horrific events they and their families went through. They are a reminder to all of us what Europe should be about, why it is our duty to stop Daesh and do all we can for the refugees, regardless of faith and ethnicity.

Position des HPG, les combattants du PKK, au sud de Kirkuk près de la bille de Hawijah. La semaine précédente, ils ont du intervenir à Kirkuk même pour aider les peshmergas à contrer une attaque surprise de daesh dans la ville. Sur ce front, quelques accrochages réguliers se produisent. Mais le plus souvent, un grand silence règne dans les champs abandonnés et les ruines des villages bombardés par la coalition.

Mehrere dutzend Angehörige der irkaischen Shabak Minderheit demonstrieren in Berlin gegen die sogenannten Islamischen Staat (IS). Laut Yousif Muharam, Vertreter der Shabak in Deutschland befinden sich rund 350.000 Shabak im Irak auf der Flucht. Mehrere ihrer Moscheen seien bereits durch den Islamischen Staat (IS) zerstört worden. Zudem seien viele vom IS entführt. Er vergleicht die Situation der Shabak mit der der Jesiden, mit denen man auch gemeinsam protestiert habe und äußert sich enttäuscht über die mangelnde Resonanz in den Medien für ihr Schicksal.

Die Protestierenden fordern das Recht auf Asyl in der EU für die Shabak, sowie ein internationales Eingreifen gegen den IS.

Rund 70 Kurden protestieren in Berlin auf dem ALexanderplatz für de Freilassung des PKK-Führers Abdullah Öcalan, der auf der türkischen Gefängnisinsel Imrali einsitzt.

In Sprechchören und Redebeiträgen bekunden die Teilnehmer ihre Unterstüzung mit Öcalan, der PKK, sowie der nordsyrischen YPG/YPJ. Sie weisen zudem auf den Kampf der YPG/YPJ gegen radikalislamische Milizen wie Daesh (ISIS) und der Al-Nusrah-Front hin. Sie fordern die sofortige Freilassung Öcalans aus türkischer Haft und betonen die Bedeutung des PKK-Gründers für den Frieden in der Region. Zudem wenden sie sich gegen das Regime des türkischen Präsidenten Recep Tayyip Erdogan und seiner AKP.

Es werden während der Kundgebung nur Fahnen in den kurdischen Farben gezeigt, jedoch keine der YPG/YPJ oder mit dem Porträt Öcalans.

Mehre Dutzend Menschen beteiligen sich an einer Kundgebung vor dem Reichstag in Berlin, um gegen anhaltende Angriffe auf das Volk der Jesiden im Norden des Iraks zu protestieren. Für die Angriffe werden kurdische Peshmerga-Gruppen verantwortlich gemacht. Es wird von den Teilnehmern kritisiert, dass diese Gruppen von der Bundesrepublik mit Waffen ausgestattet wurden (ursprünglich zum Kampf gegen Daesh) und diese sich nun gegen die Jesiden richteten. An den Jesiden wurde bereits von Daesh (ISIS) ein Völkermord verübt.

Unterstützt werden die Jesiden auf der Kundgebung durch Kurden. Diese zeigen auch Fahnen der nord-syrischen Volksbefreiungseinheiten YPG und YPG, sowie des YBS. Das Zeigen von Symbolen dieser Organisationen wurde jüngst durch des Bundesministerium des Innern (BMI) verboten. Ebenso wurde eine Flagge mit dem Porträt von Abdullah Öcalan gezeigt. Ob dieses unter des ebenfalls jüngst erlassene Verbot von Porträts des PKK-Führers fällt, ist nicht klar. Die anwesende Polizei schritt nicht ein.

On Global Open Day on UNSCR 1325, calls for men to champion and support women’s participation in politics and in decision-making

 

Basra, 01 November 2017 – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), jointly with UNWOMEN and in coordination with the Implementation and Follow Up National Reconciliation Committee (IFNRC) of the Office of Iraq’s Prime Minister, held a consultative forum with women leaders and members of the Basra, Muthanna, Thi Qar and Missan Provincial Councils in Basra on 01 November 2017 with the focus on strengthening women’s political participation. This is the fourth such meeting within the context of observing the Global Open Day and the 17th Anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325.

 

As in the previous consultative meetings that were held in Karbala, Baghdad and Erbil in October, the participants in Basra echoed the similar concerns by women leaders across the country. They noted the retrogression of women’s participation in Iraq’s politics. They urged UNAMI and UNWOMEN to engage male champions to support women’s participation and to also press the heads of political blocs and political leaders to act in support of women issues.

 

In her intervention, Ms. Yusra Naji, member of Missan Provincial Council, decried male political leaders for marginalizing women. “The Iraqi society is male dominated, women are not invited to negotiations, they have no political rights, they are not represented in the Presidency, the Council of Representatives presidency, there are only two women Ministers, yet there is no legislation preventing women from occupying these high level positions,” Ms. Naji said.

 

Ms. Zahra al-Bachari Member of Basra Provincial Council, noted that “men can help lead the charge with women in enacting legislation that promotes women’s rights, repealing laws and policies that discriminate against women and limit opportunities. She further added: “Women should be promoted to leadership positions as we are observing the upcoming elections of both Provincial and Council of representatives, elections we aim to have more women represented in decision-making positions.”

 

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq Ján Kubiš, in remarks delivered by UNAMI Director of Political Affairs, Manoj Mathew, reiterated that Gender balance in Iraqi politics can only be achieved if political leaders could work side by side with women to share responsibility of breaking cultural norms and practices as well as institutional, structural and legal barriers that hinder women’s equal and meaningful political participation.

 

“We need male champions, proactive work by male champions, in partnership with women is necessary to establish an environment that empowers women’s political participation at all levels of governance and decision-making.”

 

“For the historic settlement and reconciliation to succeed it must be inclusive. This is critically important for the unity and stability of the country and peaceful coexistence amongst all citizens, components and minorities. Women – and youth - must be critical agents of such positive change, in building a new post-Daesh Iraq, in shaping the future of the country for the generations to come,” the SRSG’s statement said.

 

Mr. Kubiš acknowledged the efforts of the Cross-Sector Task Force on the implementation of the Iraq National Action Plan on 1325, while stressing that “it is time to strengthen the implementation of the participation pillar of the Iraqi National Action Plan on the Security Council Resolution 1325 which reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts.”

 

UNAMI Gender Advisor, Ms. Mmabatlharo Dihemo, emphasized that political leaders can support the advancement of women in decision-making bodies by advocating for temporary special measures, promoting women to leadership roles and ensuring woman have equal career development opportunities.

 

UN WOMEN Representative in Iraq, Ms. Dina Zorba, commended the government, civil society, and national and international partners for continued commitment to UNSCR 1325. Ms. Zorba urged the government to work to ensure gender issues are incorporated in all democratization and nation-building agendas, and called on the UN, the government, and the International Community to continue to advocate for and protect the rights of women and girls.Ms. Zorba emphasized UN commitment to refocusing its work around women’s political participation at all levels.

 

In the context of marking the 17th Anniversary of UN SCR 1325 and the Global Open Day, UNAMI and UN WOMEN also organized in Karbala capacity-building training on Basic Mediation and Negotiation skills for women leaders, Provincial Council members and civil society representative from Karbala, Wassit, Najaf and Diwaniya, (9-12 October). A similar training was organised for women leaders and activists, members of Provincial Councils, district and sub-district councils from Basra, Missan, Thi Qar and Muthana (29 October-1 November). Both training programmes were jointly organised and funded by UNAMI and UN WOMEN under the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and UNWOMEN gender and mediation strategy.

 

Photos by UNAMI PIO.

 

'The Religion of God (Divine Love) by HDE Lord Ra Riaz Gohar Shahi not only talks about spirituality in unprecedented details, at the same time, it tells us the future. It is so concise yet covers everything about God, Prophets, Saints, Religions, you and me. 'There is nothing that exists that doesn’t exist in this book. It contains the untold mysteries and secrets of God.' - HH Younus AlGohar

Transcript: www.theawaitedone.com/articles/2016/01/22/words-of-wisdom...

 

#LordRaRiaz #RiazAhmedGoharShahi#GoharShahi #YounusAlGohar #Messiah #prophecy #TheReligionofGod #DivineLove #ISIS#ISIL#Daesh #soul #spirituality #God #philosophy #atheism #Bible #extremism #endtimes #religion #Wahhabi #Wahhabism #greaterpurpose #salafism #JesusChrist #terrorism #youtube

At Khanke camp for IDPs in Kurdistan-Iraq.

 

Pictured is the father of one of our staff in the camp, who both found refuge in Khanke after escaping from Sinjar.

 

© Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights

These young women gave an incredibly strong speech about the horrific events they and their families went through. They are a reminder to all of us what Europe should be about, why it is our duty to stop Daesh and do all we can for the refugees, regardless of faith and ethnicity.

Deux semaines après les attentats, les gens se rassemblent encore autour de cette place, symbole de la liberté.

Rund 3.000 Menschen, überwiegend Kurden und Angehöriger linker Gruppen, demonstrieren in Berlins Mitte gegen den Einmarsch von Truppen der Türkei in die Region Rojava im Nordosten Syriens.

Zwischenzeitlich wurde die Demonstration gestoppt, nachdem über einem Block linker Gruppen eine YPG-Fahne geshalten wurde. Nachdem diese entfernt war setzte die Demonstration ihren Weg fort. Hin und wieder kamen Rauchkerzen seitens der Demonstration zum Einsatz. Weitere Zwischenfälle gab es nicht.

 

Die selbstverwaltete Region wird von den kurdischen Selbstverteidigungseinheiten YPG und YPJ verteidigt. Bei den Kämpfen in den letzten Tagen sollen hunderte Menschen ihr Leben verloren haben. Über 100.000 Menschen sind auf der Flucht.

In Reden werden sowohl die Türkei, als auch die ehemaligen Verbündeten der YPG/YPJ kritisiert.

 

Die Türkei sieht in der YPG/YPJ einen Ableger der Kurdischen Arbeiterpartei PKK und sieht sie daher als Terroristen an. Derweil waren die kurdischen Einheiten in den letztzen Jahren der engste Verbündete des Westens, insbesondere der USA im Kampf gegen Daesh (IS). Durch die Entscheidung des US-Präsidenten Donald Trump, die eigenen Truppen aus den kurdischen Gebieten abzuziehen, eröffnete er der Türkei die Möglichkeit des Einmarschs.

UNAMI Training Ends with a Call to Strengthen the Capacities of Women to Participate Meaningfully in National Reconciliation and Historic Settlement Process

 

Baghdad, Iraq, 22 December 2017 – A training to enhance the negotiation and mediation skills of local civil society groups and women leaders, organized by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and UN Women, concluded in Baghdad on 20 December with calls for increased participation of women and civil society groups in community reconciliation, national reconciliation and historic settlement. The training was a follow-up to the basic training and workshop delivered to the same participants in October 2016. The workshop aimed at training women leaders to be effective mediators and facilitators. It also focused on the important role women can play in peace building, negotiations and political processes. Similar training and workshops have been delivered to 60 women leaders, human rights defenders, members of provincial, district and sub districts councils in the Southern Governorates of Karbala, Najaf, Babil, Qadisiya, Wasit, Basra, Muthana, Dhi Qqar and Missan.

 

Women leaders at the workshop emphasized their readiness to UNAMI/UNWOMEN to advocate for their full participation and to offer them opportunities to participate in negotiations and reconciliation alongside their male counterparts. They agreed to form networks within their communities to address post Daesh issues like trust building among affected communities, de-radicalization of violent extremism as well as reconciling communities. They urged the UN to support their efforts towards rebuilding broken communities in the aftermath of the conflict with Daesh. They also urged the UN to strengthen women’s participation in the negotiations and political arena which was limited for women.

 

Speaking at the closing session of the four-day training, Ms. Mmabatlharo Nono Dihemo, Gender Advisor for UNAMI stressed the importance of strengthening the capacities of women to participate meaningfully in national reconciliation and historic settlement. Ms. Dihemo said: “Limited progress has been made towards increasing women representation in negotiation and mediation processes in Iraq. One of the reasons attributed to this is the belief by some that women lack the confidence and capacity to participate in such processes aimed at shaping the future of the country”.

 

However, Iraqi women are resilient, and have shown that they are capable of leading and influencing the political arena. Ms Dihemo said that “despite the explicit goal to promote women’s participation, as envisaged in the Iraq National Action Plan (INAP), women’s direct political participation in national reconciliation has continued to remain low and this needs to be recognized and addressed”.

 

She mentioned that she met with political leaders in Baghdad, Erbil and Suleymania and discussed ways to strengthen the participation of women in decision making and political processes. Ms Dihemo assured that UNAMI and UNWOMEN will work with all stakeholders to ensure the establishment of measures and legal frameworks that guarantee the participation of women in all three arms of the government, particularly the judiciary where women are underrepresented; and in national and community reconciliation processes; cabinet and government institutions.

 

Photos by UNAMI PIO.

These young women gave an incredibly strong speech about the horrific events they and their families went through. They are a reminder to all of us what Europe should be about, why it is our duty to stop Daesh and do all we can for the refugees, regardless of faith and ethnicity.

Mesa inaugural, moderada por Arianne Hernández, secretaria general de Casa África, y a cargo de Haizam Amirah Fernández, investigador para Mediterráneo y Mundo Árabe del Real Instituto Elcano; el General Alfonso García-Vaquero Pradal, y Bakary Sambe, director del Instituto Timbuktú y fundador del Observatorio de Radicalismos y Conflictos Religiosos en África (ORCRA).

 

La expansión del yihadismo en África es el tema que Casa África eligió como protagonista de la segunda edición de las Jornadas #ÁfricaEsNoticia, que celebradas el 10 de junio de 2016 en la sede de la institución.

Die Partei Die Linke verleiht in Berlin Kreuzberg zum achten Mal den Clara-Zetkin-Frauenpreis an Initiativen, die sich im vergangenen Jahr für die Rechte von Frauen in der Gesellschaft stark gemacht haben.

Preisträger 2018 ist die Initiative "TAJÊ - Freiheitsbewegung/Frauenräte der ezidischen Frauen", die jesidische Frauen berät und in der Bewältigung ihrer Erlebnisse durch die Verfolgung und Versklavung durch Daesh (IS) hilft. Der Sonderpreis geht dieses Jahr an Dr. Kristina Hänel, die nicht nur auf ein Leben im Kampf für die Rechte von Frauen zurückblicken kann, sondern zudem auch bundesweite Bekanntheit erlangte, nachdem sie nach §219a StGB verurteilt wurde.

Insgesamt wurden acht Initiativen nominiert. Der CareSlam! wurde von Yvonne Falckner begründet und gibt Pflegenden eine Bühne, um über ihre Arbeitsbedingungen zu sprechen. Bekannt wurde das Format durch einen Auftritt der CareSlammerin Sabrina Maar in der ZDF-Sendung "Die Anstalt" Anfang Dezember 2017. Ebenfalls nominiert wurde ein "Containerprojekt für wohnungslose Frauen", welches sich den besonderen Anforderungen von Frauen und Transgendern in der Obdachlosigkeit annimmt und ihnen eine unterkunft bietet. Das "Frauenorchesterprojekt (FOP)" ist ein Frauenchor unter der Leitung von Mary Ellen Kitchens, welcher es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht hat, Musik von Frauen hörbar zu machen. Die "Kontaktstelle "Frauen für Frauen" wurde ebenso nominiert wie "RosaLinde e.V.- Queer Refugee Network" kämpft gegen die sprichwörtlichen "Sächsischen Zustände" an, indem es queeren Geflüchteten in Leipzig Unterstützung und Beratung zuteil werden lässt. Der "ver.di-Bezirksfrauenrat München" legt ein Augenmerk auf die Bedürfnisse und Herausforderungen von Frauen im Berufsleben.

Die einzelnen Projekte wurden von Politikerinnen der Partei Die Linke vorgestellt. Darunter waren Simone Barrientos (MdB), Lucy Redler, Juliane Nagel (MdB). Die Preise wurden von Katja Kipping übergeben. Für die musikalische Begleitung sorgte die Rapperin aus Zimbabwe AWA KHIWE.

Malgré les consignes de la maire, les parisiens se sont rassemblés pour rendre hommages aux victimes des attentats du 13 novembre devant le restaurant le Petit Cambodge, situé non loin du canal Saint-Martin dans le 10ème arrondissent de Paris, le dimanche 15 novembre 2015. / Despite the instructions of the Mayor, the Parisians gathered to pay homage to the victims of the 13th November attacks in front of the restaurant “le petit Cambodge”, located near the Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th district of Paris, on November 15th, 2015.

The oasis town of Ma'an was once one of the most important stop between Damascus and Medina on the Hejaz Railway.

 

The Hejaz Railway once stretched along 1,300km of desert between Damascus and Medina. It was financed by the world's Islamic public, and was built by the Ottoman Empire in the 1900s with German help. It's original purpose was to shorten the long and dangerous journey for pilgrims performing Hajj.

 

In WW1, Lawrence of Arabia would lead Arab Bedouin irregulars and attacked the railway relentlessly, hoping to 'cut the spine of the Ottoman Empire' and to tie up Ottoman troops to garrison the area to allow British advances to the west.

 

The railway was badly damaged with many sections abandoned after the war. Today a railway workshop continues to operate in Ma'an in order to facilitate the running railway line between Amman, Aqaba and the phosphorus mines south of Ma'an.

 

Ma'an, Jordan.

Eine Weile schweigen sie. Steffi weiß nicht, was sie sagen soll. Sie ist schockiert, der Vater ermordet? Wie soll sie sich das vorstellen? Gleichzeitig fühlt sie sich aber von Jafar sehr angezogen. Ihr hat noch nie jemand gesagt, dass er sie versteht.

“Du bist doch Muslima?”, bricht Jafar das Schweigen.

“Ja. Alhamdulillah.”, sagt Steffi.

“Bist du Sunni oder Shia?”, fragt er.

Steffi ist überrascht: “Ähm, weiß ich gar nicht. Über sowas hab ich mir noch keine Gedanken gemacht. Aber ich frag meinen Papa. Ist das denn wichtig?”

“Nein, nein, frag nicht deinen Papa!” Jafar denkt sich, bloß nicht! Dann wissen alle Bescheid und Abdi fängt wieder mit seinen blöden Diskussionen an! “Wie hälst du denn deine Arme bei Namaz? Vor der Brust verschränkt oder gerade nach unten?”, fragt er.

“Gerade nach unten.”, sagt Steffi.

“Ahh, gut, dann bist du Shia.” Aber Jafar fällt gerade ein, das hat er schon mal gedacht. In Duisburg beim Freitagsgebet, da waren welche, die hielten die Arme so. Und dann sprach er sie an, aber sie waren auch Sunniten, Marokkaner glaubt er… er war enttäuscht… nee, daran kann man es nicht sehen. “Oder vielleicht nicht. Was macht ihr an Ashura?”

“Seit Omar da ist, fasten wir. Aber früher haben wir da nichts besonderes gemacht.”, sagt Steffi.

Also doch Sunnitin, denkt Jafar. “Wer ist denn Omar?”

“Der Mann von meiner Schwester Michaela. In San Francisco.”

“Ach so. Was ist der denn für ein Landsmann?”, fragt Jafar.

Steffi findet die Fragen ein bisschen komisch, aber jetzt hegt sie Sympathien für Jafar, und so lässt sie sich darauf ein. Es wird sich schon zeigen, warum er das fragt, denkt sie. “Er ist Amerikaner, Afro-Amerikaner, wenn du es genau wissen willst.”

Jafar ist erleichtert, also kein Taliban, Daesh oder so. Er sagt: “Weißt du, ich bin Hazara. Da ist diese Frage sehr wichtig…”

Die Tür geht auf und Ken kommt heraus. Er hat im Badezimmer jedes Wort mitangehört.

“Ach, hier seid ihr!”, sagt er. “Worüber habt ihr geredet?”

“Übers Haare färben!”, sagen Steffi und Jafar wie aus einem Mund.

“Och, nix besonderes, über die Schule halt…”, fügt Steffi hinzu.

Ken kann sich das Schmunzeln kaum verkneifen. Jafar ist sehr direkt. Da wird er ziemlich bald Kontakt zu Jafars Onkel aufnehmen müssen…

 

Edited in Prisma app with Underground

Daesh Accountability March 2017

 

Photo: UK Mission to the UN/Lisa Englehart

On Global Open Day on UNSCR 1325, Calls for Greater Women Role in Future of post-Daesh Iraq

 

Baghdad/Erbil, 24 October 2017 – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), jointly with UNWOMEN within the context of the observing the Global Open Day and the 17th Anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325, held consultative forums with senior political leadership in Baghdad and Erbil on 23 and 24 October, with the focus on strengthening women’s political participation.

 

In both Baghdad and Erbil, the concerns of women, their participation in society, the political process and decision-making were raised. Participants were categorical in stating that there have been long-standing barriers which have continued to impede women’s participation and representation in the political process. Particularly, participants noted a regression in women’s representation in executive, legislative as well as judiciary branches of government. Further, participants decried that leaderships of political parties have not given sufficient opportunities to women to fully and equally participate in politics. Recommendations were proposed, including a specific request made to the political leaders to give women an opportunity to be part of the solution. Participants also called for legislation to promote and increase women’s participation in politics and governance as well as to promote them to decision-making positions.

 

In Baghdad, the meeting on 23 October was organized in collaboration with the Implementation and Follow-up Commission for National Reconciliation in the Office of the Prime Minister. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Health and Environment, H.E. Adila Hammoud, Adviser to the Prime Minister on reconciliation, Mr. Mohammed Salman, the Speaker of Parliament’s representative Dr. Ahmed Rushdy, Advisor to the President of the Republic, Juan Masoum, heads of political blocs and other government representatives, parliamentary Committee heads, MPs as well as academics, in addition to representatives of UNAMI and UNWOMEN.

 

H.E. Ms. Adila Hammoud, the Minister of Health and Environment, stated that to overcome social barriers and challenges impeding women’s participation required a concerted effort and commitment from political leaders and decision-makers, noting “the significant successes of many Iraqi women on the executive and legislative levels and their ability to play an essential role in peace making and societal reconciliation.”

 

Mr. Mohammad Salman of the reconciliation committee, in his opening remarks, said the meeting is a “golden opportunity for all to benefit from the accumulated experiences of peoples” that the UN holds as it works to support women issues.

 

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Mr. Ján Kubiš, emphasized in his remarks at the meetings in Baghdad and Erbil that women in Iraq are agents of positive change and they must be given the opportunity to act in that critical role in shaping the future of their country in the post-Daesh period.

 

“Equality and empowerment of women must be central to all peace, justice, reconciliation and reform efforts in the post-Daesh period. Women’s participation is crucial for an effective, successful and sustainable peace processes and reform. Only through their direct and meaningful participation their voices will be heard,” Mr. Kubiš said.

 

The consultative meeting in Erbil was convened on 24 October by UNAMI in collaboration with UN WOMEN and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s High Council for Women Affairs. It was attended by Interior Minister H.E. Mr. Karim Sinjari, Minister of the Department of Foreign Relations H.E. Mr. Falah Al-Mustafa, Secretary-General of the High Council for Women’s Affairs Ms. Pakhshan Zangana, Spokesperson to Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Safeen Dizayi, and women leaders, in addition to representatives of UNAMI and UN WOMEN.

 

In remarks at the Erbil meeting, Ms. Pakshan Zangana, the Secretary-General of the High Council for Women’s Affairs in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, said the recent crisis in Kirkuk have seen displacements of civilians including women, the elderly and children. She urged the UN to strengthen its efforts towards addressing the needs to those displaced.

 

In Erbil, Mr. Kubiš acknowledged the efforts of the Cross-Sector Task Force on the implementation of the Iraq National Action Plan on 1325. “Regardless of all issues between Baghdad and Erbil, the collaboration of women group representatives from both Baghdad and Erbil has been remarkable. It is a good model of constructive cooperation that should inspire also the process of finding solutions to the current crisis between Baghdad and Erbil. Women must play a key role also in these endeavors.”

 

The SRSG recalled the particularly brutal treatment of women and girls by Daesh terrorists and pointed out to UN Security Council resolution 2379, passed in September to establish an investigative team to support domestic efforts to hold Daesh accountable.

 

UN WOMEN Representative in Iraq, Ms. Dina Zorba, in both meetings in Baghdad and Erbil, commended the government, civil society, and national and international partners for continued commitment to UNSCR 1325, stating that Iraq is the first country in the Middle East to launch a national plan to implement 1325. She urged the government to work to ensure gender issues are incorporated in all democratization and nation building agendas, and called on the UN, the government, and the International Community to continue to advocate for and protect the rights of women and girls.

  

Photos by UNAMI PIO.

Mehre Dutzend Menschen beteiligen sich an einer Kundgebung vor dem Reichstag in Berlin, um gegen anhaltende Angriffe auf das Volk der Jesiden im Norden des Iraks zu protestieren. Für die Angriffe werden kurdische Peshmerga-Gruppen verantwortlich gemacht. Es wird von den Teilnehmern kritisiert, dass diese Gruppen von der Bundesrepublik mit Waffen ausgestattet wurden (ursprünglich zum Kampf gegen Daesh) und diese sich nun gegen die Jesiden richteten. An den Jesiden wurde bereits von Daesh (ISIS) ein Völkermord verübt.

Unterstützt werden die Jesiden auf der Kundgebung durch Kurden. Diese zeigen auch Fahnen der nord-syrischen Volksbefreiungseinheiten YPG und YPG, sowie des YBS. Das Zeigen von Symbolen dieser Organisationen wurde jüngst durch des Bundesministerium des Innern (BMI) verboten. Ebenso wurde eine Flagge mit dem Porträt von Abdullah Öcalan gezeigt. Ob dieses unter des ebenfalls jüngst erlassene Verbot von Porträts des PKK-Führers fällt, ist nicht klar. Die anwesende Polizei schritt nicht ein.

On Global Open Day on UNSCR 1325, Calls for Greater Women Role in Future of post-Daesh Iraq

 

Baghdad/Erbil, 24 October 2017 – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), jointly with UNWOMEN within the context of the observing the Global Open Day and the 17th Anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325, held consultative forums with senior political leadership in Baghdad and Erbil on 23 and 24 October, with the focus on strengthening women’s political participation.

 

In both Baghdad and Erbil, the concerns of women, their participation in society, the political process and decision-making were raised. Participants were categorical in stating that there have been long-standing barriers which have continued to impede women’s participation and representation in the political process. Particularly, participants noted a regression in women’s representation in executive, legislative as well as judiciary branches of government. Further, participants decried that leaderships of political parties have not given sufficient opportunities to women to fully and equally participate in politics. Recommendations were proposed, including a specific request made to the political leaders to give women an opportunity to be part of the solution. Participants also called for legislation to promote and increase women’s participation in politics and governance as well as to promote them to decision-making positions.

 

In Baghdad, the meeting on 23 October was organized in collaboration with the Implementation and Follow-up Commission for National Reconciliation in the Office of the Prime Minister. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Health and Environment, H.E. Adila Hammoud, Adviser to the Prime Minister on reconciliation, Mr. Mohammed Salman, the Speaker of Parliament’s representative Dr. Ahmed Rushdy, Advisor to the President of the Republic, Juan Masoum, heads of political blocs and other government representatives, parliamentary Committee heads, MPs as well as academics, in addition to representatives of UNAMI and UNWOMEN.

 

H.E. Ms. Adila Hammoud, the Minister of Health and Environment, stated that to overcome social barriers and challenges impeding women’s participation required a concerted effort and commitment from political leaders and decision-makers, noting “the significant successes of many Iraqi women on the executive and legislative levels and their ability to play an essential role in peace making and societal reconciliation.”

 

Mr. Mohammad Salman of the reconciliation committee, in his opening remarks, said the meeting is a “golden opportunity for all to benefit from the accumulated experiences of peoples” that the UN holds as it works to support women issues.

 

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Mr. Ján Kubiš, emphasized in his remarks at the meetings in Baghdad and Erbil that women in Iraq are agents of positive change and they must be given the opportunity to act in that critical role in shaping the future of their country in the post-Daesh period.

 

“Equality and empowerment of women must be central to all peace, justice, reconciliation and reform efforts in the post-Daesh period. Women’s participation is crucial for an effective, successful and sustainable peace processes and reform. Only through their direct and meaningful participation their voices will be heard,” Mr. Kubiš said.

 

The consultative meeting in Erbil was convened on 24 October by UNAMI in collaboration with UN WOMEN and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s High Council for Women Affairs. It was attended by Interior Minister H.E. Mr. Karim Sinjari, Minister of the Department of Foreign Relations H.E. Mr. Falah Al-Mustafa, Secretary-General of the High Council for Women’s Affairs Ms. Pakhshan Zangana, Spokesperson to Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Safeen Dizayi, and women leaders, in addition to representatives of UNAMI and UN WOMEN.

 

In remarks at the Erbil meeting, Ms. Pakshan Zangana, the Secretary-General of the High Council for Women’s Affairs in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, said the recent crisis in Kirkuk have seen displacements of civilians including women, the elderly and children. She urged the UN to strengthen its efforts towards addressing the needs to those displaced.

 

In Erbil, Mr. Kubiš acknowledged the efforts of the Cross-Sector Task Force on the implementation of the Iraq National Action Plan on 1325. “Regardless of all issues between Baghdad and Erbil, the collaboration of women group representatives from both Baghdad and Erbil has been remarkable. It is a good model of constructive cooperation that should inspire also the process of finding solutions to the current crisis between Baghdad and Erbil. Women must play a key role also in these endeavors.”

 

The SRSG recalled the particularly brutal treatment of women and girls by Daesh terrorists and pointed out to UN Security Council resolution 2379, passed in September to establish an investigative team to support domestic efforts to hold Daesh accountable.

 

UN WOMEN Representative in Iraq, Ms. Dina Zorba, in both meetings in Baghdad and Erbil, commended the government, civil society, and national and international partners for continued commitment to UNSCR 1325, stating that Iraq is the first country in the Middle East to launch a national plan to implement 1325. She urged the government to work to ensure gender issues are incorporated in all democratization and nation building agendas, and called on the UN, the government, and the International Community to continue to advocate for and protect the rights of women and girls.

  

Photos by UNAMI PIO.

These young women gave an incredibly strong speech about the horrific events they and their families went through. They are a reminder to all of us what Europe should be about, why it is our duty to stop Daesh and do all we can for the refugees, regardless of faith and ethnicity.

Rund 3.000 Menschen, überwiegend Kurden und Angehöriger linker Gruppen, demonstrieren in Berlins Mitte gegen den Einmarsch von Truppen der Türkei in die Region Rojava im Nordosten Syriens.

Zwischenzeitlich wurde die Demonstration gestoppt, nachdem über einem Block linker Gruppen eine YPG-Fahne geshalten wurde. Nachdem diese entfernt war setzte die Demonstration ihren Weg fort. Hin und wieder kamen Rauchkerzen seitens der Demonstration zum Einsatz. Weitere Zwischenfälle gab es nicht.

 

Die selbstverwaltete Region wird von den kurdischen Selbstverteidigungseinheiten YPG und YPJ verteidigt. Bei den Kämpfen in den letzten Tagen sollen hunderte Menschen ihr Leben verloren haben. Über 100.000 Menschen sind auf der Flucht.

In Reden werden sowohl die Türkei, als auch die ehemaligen Verbündeten der YPG/YPJ kritisiert.

 

Die Türkei sieht in der YPG/YPJ einen Ableger der Kurdischen Arbeiterpartei PKK und sieht sie daher als Terroristen an. Derweil waren die kurdischen Einheiten in den letztzen Jahren der engste Verbündete des Westens, insbesondere der USA im Kampf gegen Daesh (IS). Durch die Entscheidung des US-Präsidenten Donald Trump, die eigenen Truppen aus den kurdischen Gebieten abzuziehen, eröffnete er der Türkei die Möglichkeit des Einmarschs.

Rund 100 Kurden, Anhänger der kurdischen Selbstverteidigungskräfte YPG/YPJ, feiern vor dem Brandenburger Tor in Berlin den Sieg der Kurden über den IS im syrisch-kurdischen Tal Abyad.

In einer Rede wurde ihre Solidarität mit den Kurden in Rojava ausgedrückt.

Rund 100 Menschen nahmen an einer Demonstration unter dem Motto "Yarmouk retten" von Berlin Neukölln nach Kreuzberg teil. Die vornehmlich aus Syrern, Palästinensern und linken Gruppen bestehende Demonstration wollte an die Einnahme des palästinensischen Flüchtlingslagers im südlich Damaskus durch den sogenannten Islamischen Staat (IS) und die fortgesetzte Bombardierung und Belagerung durch die Truppen des syrischen Machthabers Baschar al-Assad erinnern.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Ms. Pramila Patten Concludes Visit to Iraq and Stresses Need to Do More to Protect and Support Victims of Daesh’s Sexual Violence Crimes

  

(Baghdad/New York, 05 March 2018)

 

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, concluded an eight-day visit to Iraq during which she heard first-hand the heart wrenching accounts of survivors of Daesh’s sexual violence. She stressed the need to ensure that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are fully protected and that perpetrators of these horrendous crimes are brought to justice.

 

Special Representative Patten met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and with other senior Government officials, at federal, regional and provincial levels in Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul. She also engaged directly with survivors, civil society groups and with Christian, Shia, Sunni, Turkmen Shia and Yazidi religious leaders. A strong message from the survivors relating to the plight of women and girls still under captivity as well as their missing family members was taken up with the Government by Special Representative Patten. She enquired about ongoing efforts to locate those missing and urged the authorities to expedite their rescue.

 

Many of the women who remain displaced expressed serious safety concerns regarding their return to their homes and shared their fear of reprisals. “I call on all religious and tribal leaders to welcome back survivors of sexual violence and their children, and the Government to find legal avenues to recognize their children as Iraqi citizens,” said Ms. Patten. “It is essential for all to work towards shifting the stigma from the victims to the perpetrators. I also urge the Government to ensure that women and girls who were victims of Daesh are not wrongfully perceived as being their ‘affiliates’.”

 

During discussion with Iraqi Officials on the question of justice and accountability, while acknowledging the efforts of the Government, the Special Representative stressed the importance of ensuring that alleged perpetrators are held accountable not only for the crime of terrorism but for the full extent of the sexual violence crimes perpetrated on Iraqi women and children including abduction, rape, sexual slavery and forced marriages. She noted in this regard that her Office stands ready to work directly with Iraqi judges, investigators and prosecutors together with the new Investigative Team established under UNSCR 2379. Her Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence also stands ready to provide support in the area of legislative reform in particular to criminalize war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Iraq.

 

In Mosul, where thousands of Iraqi women and girls were subjected to rape, sexual slavery and other grave forms of sexual violence perpetrated by Daesh, Ms. Patten was joined by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict. They both called on the authorities of Ninewa Governorate to address the pressing needs of survivors in ongoing reconstruction efforts, including through the significant scaling-up of medical services, mental health and psychosocial support and economic livelihoods opportunities.

 

Ms. Patten’s visit from 26 February to 5 March 2018 was at the invitation of the Government, pursuant to the United Nations/Iraq Joint Communiqué to Prevent and Address Conflict-Related Sexual Violence of 2016. Her visit marks the endorsement of the Joint Communiqué’s Implementation Plan featuring specific measures related to justice and accountability, survivor-centered services and engagement with civil society organizations, religious/tribal leaders and the media. “The development of this implementation plan demonstrates the continuous commitment of the Government of Iraq to address the plight of the victims of conflict-related sexual violence,” stressed Special Representative Patten.

 

“While I congratulate the Government of Iraq for its military defeat of Daesh, I urge the Government to pursue its efforts to rescue those missing, to ensure justice and reparations to all victims of the heinous crimes of sexual violence and to include women in its peacebuilding, reconciliation and reconstruction initiatives,” stated Special Representative Patten.

 

Photos by UNAMI PIO.

 

Prosecuting and punishing the crimes against humanity or even possible genocide committed by Daesh

 

Photo : ©Council of Europe/ Felix Zahn

Berlin. 2014.

 

"Jugend Demo gegen den IS-Terror".

 

Thorsten Strasas. - Wien | Berlin. - Photographers in Solidarity.

Camp de Maxmur, Irak. Depuis l'attaque de daesh en août 2014, les habitants se sont équipés de voiture puissantes.

 

A lire : www.middleeasteye.net/fr/reportages/irak-cern-s-par-la-gu...

Iraqi Federal Policemen marches for a graduation ceremony at the Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, March 28, 2019. Coalition trainers facilitated a twelve-week course that preps federal police members to defeat daesh in Iraq. Operation Reliable Partnership training programs include courses in areas as diverse as operational planning, counter- terrorism, logistics and sustainment, equipment maintenance, counter-IED techniques and law enforcement. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brandon Best)

Rund 3.000 Menschen, überwiegend Kurden und Angehöriger linker Gruppen, demonstrieren in Berlins Mitte gegen den Einmarsch von Truppen der Türkei in die Region Rojava im Nordosten Syriens.

Zwischenzeitlich wurde die Demonstration gestoppt, nachdem über einem Block linker Gruppen eine YPG-Fahne geshalten wurde. Nachdem diese entfernt war setzte die Demonstration ihren Weg fort. Hin und wieder kamen Rauchkerzen seitens der Demonstration zum Einsatz. Weitere Zwischenfälle gab es nicht.

 

Die selbstverwaltete Region wird von den kurdischen Selbstverteidigungseinheiten YPG und YPJ verteidigt. Bei den Kämpfen in den letzten Tagen sollen hunderte Menschen ihr Leben verloren haben. Über 100.000 Menschen sind auf der Flucht.

In Reden werden sowohl die Türkei, als auch die ehemaligen Verbündeten der YPG/YPJ kritisiert.

 

Die Türkei sieht in der YPG/YPJ einen Ableger der Kurdischen Arbeiterpartei PKK und sieht sie daher als Terroristen an. Derweil waren die kurdischen Einheiten in den letztzen Jahren der engste Verbündete des Westens, insbesondere der USA im Kampf gegen Daesh (IS). Durch die Entscheidung des US-Präsidenten Donald Trump, die eigenen Truppen aus den kurdischen Gebieten abzuziehen, eröffnete er der Türkei die Möglichkeit des Einmarschs.

SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict Bangura visit to Iraq

 

Baghdad, 26 - 28 February 2017 - On the invitation of the Government of Iraq the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura is visiting Iraq.

On 26 February 2017 SRSG Bangura met with Mr. Erfan Mahmood Al Hayali, Iraqi Minister of Defense. The implementation of the Joint Communique to address conflict related sexual violence (which was signed in New York in September 2016) was discussed as well as the importance of enforcing accountability for the unprecedented, systematic campaign of sexual violence committed by DAESH.

In the meeting with Mr. Shorish Khalid Saeed, Iraqi Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, SRSG Bangura discussed the structured collaboration and implementation of the Joint Communique with special emphasis on the survivors centered approach in dealing with these crimes.

SRSG Bangura met with H. E. Dr. Salim Al-Jobouri, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives (CoR). Legislative work that CoR is undertaking in alleviating the consequences of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by DAESH by providing legal framework for the prosecution of perpetrators of these crimes was discussed. SRSG Bangura confirmed readiness of the United Nations to provide support and expertize in achieving these goals. It was highlighted that Iraqi results in this field can establish a model that might become a blue print for other countries in similar situations.

SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, met with H. E. Mr. Haider Al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq. Comprehensive collaboration on the implementation of the Joint Communique to address conflict related sexual violence was discussed with special emphasis on the documentation of the cases and persecution of the perpetuators of the sexual violence crimes committed by DAESH. The need to address these serious crimes and the sensitivity of the long term consequences for the victims and the whole society were highlighted.

In the meeting with Mr. Mahmoud Al-Bayati, Director General, Counter-Terrorism and National Security Advisor, SRSG Bangura discussed the structured collaboration on the implementation of the Joint Communique with special emphasis on the enforcement of accountability for the unprecedented, systematic campaign of sexual violence committed by DAESH.

 

On 27 February 2017, SRSG Bangura met with Mr. Haidar al-Zamili, Iraqi Minister of Justice. The need to provide legal framework for the prosecution of the perpetrators of the horrendous sexual violence crimes and means to obtain and protect evidences and witnesses were discussed. SRSG Bangura confirmed readiness of the United Nations to provide support and expertize so that these goals could be achieved in accordance with the highest standards of the international human rights and criminal law.

 

In a meeting with Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Jaf, Iraqi Minister for Migrations and Displacement SRSG Bangura discussed the issue of support to the victims of sexual violence, currently located in IDP camps, to cope with trauma and possible stigma.

 

SRSG Bangura with Mr. Faeq Zaidan, the Head of the High Judicial Council of Iraq discussed the strengthening of the legal framework and training of judges for the filing and processing of the cases of sexual violence committed by Daesh, with the special emphasis on the need to implement the highest standards of the international criminal law and human rights.

In her separate meetings with Mr. Taqi Al Mawla, a Turkmen Shi’a religious leader, and with a group of prominent Sunni religious leaders, SRSG Bangura discussed the role of religious leaders in sensitizing the communities on the issue of assistance to the victims of sexual violence to cope with their traumas and possible stigma.

On 28 February 2017, SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Mrs. Bangura, met with a group of Representatives of the Council of Representatives (CoR). The CoR representatives described the ongoing efforts they are undertaking to improve the existing legal framework to facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence and to better address the consequences of these crimes, including issues related to forced marriages and the situation of children born to survivors of rape. SRSG Bangura confirmed readiness of the United Nations to provide support and expertize in achieving these goals.

 

In the continuation of her visit to Iraq SRSG Bangura travels to Kurdistan Region.

 

Photos by UNAMI PIO.

 

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