HRC43: Oral statement during Iraq UPR outcome

Agenda Item 6: UPR Outcome, Iraq

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you Madame President,

As demonstrations continue in Iraq, CSW welcomes the numerous recommendations made to the State calling for Iraq to respect the right to peaceful protest and cease the use of violence against protesters.

We echo the many recommendations supported by Iraq to conduct detailed investigations into all instances of violence, holding those responsible for violations of human rights to account.

CSW is particularly concerned by reports of paramilitary groups attacking civilians in Iraq. We urge the State party to crackdown on such groups swiftly, prioritising the protection of vulnerable communities.

We also welcome and echo recommendations from Morocco, Qatar, Republic of Korea and Sweden urging Iraq to combat corruption.

The acceptance and implementation of these recommendations remains essential. Corruption in the allocation of resources can give rise to a sense of grievance and victimhood among those who receive a lesser share, which creates potential for tension and intolerance, often along religious lines.

We further urge Iraq to increase efforts to combat terrorism. In order to achieve this Iraq must do more to counter sectarian narratives and politics which create a fertile ground for insecurity, by working to promote an inclusive national identity and prohibiting the establishment of religion-specific political parties.

CSW remains concerned by reports of child marriage in Iraq. According to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Platform, 24% of girls in Iraq are married before the age of 18, and 5% are married before the age of 15.

We therefore welcome recommendations calling on Iraq to end all instances of forced and early marriage and encourage the State to accept the Optional Protocol to CEDAW, ensuring that all of the rights outlined in the convention are fully respected and guaranteed to all women.

Thank you.