"…And my greatest thanks go to you: Iraqi judges, Chief Justice, for your continued cooperation with us and your commitment to our overall programmes. You are those who have the most complicated tasks ahead and we can only reiterate that you can count on our support and you will never be left alone"
Mr. Mauro Miedico, Chief a.i., Terrorism Prevention Branch
Following the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Dae'sh), Iraq's criminal justice system has been facing challenges regarding the investigation and prosecution of the large number of detainees. Iraqi prisons now hold over 12,000 ISIL/Da'esh fighters, including both Iraqi and foreign nationals. With the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 2379 (2017), Mr. Karim Khan was appointed the Special Adviser and Head of the United Nations Investigative Team for Iraq that is involved in the collection, preservation, and management of evidence that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by ISIL/Da'esh.
In this regard, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's Terrorism Prevention Branch (UNODC/TPB) organised a pilot training for Iraqi judges at the Embassy of Iraq in The Hague, the Netherlands on 11-12 July 2018. The objective of the training was to shed light on the challenges that Iraqi criminal justice officials face in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of the high number of ISIL/Da'esh members and its affiliates that have been captured and detained in Iraq. The event, that was generously funded by the Government of Japan, was attended by Mr. Ján Kubiš, the Special Representative of the Secretary General in Iraq; Ms. Catherine Marchi-Uhel, the Head of the International Impartial Independent Mechanism for Syria; Mr. Faiq Zaidan, Chief Justice in Iraq; Mr. Karim Khan, as well as representatives from various countries.
The training also aimed to bring together Iraqi judges responsible for the management of ISIL-related cases in the country with practitioners from international criminal tribunals, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences, good practices, as well as presenting on international trials taking place in The Hague. National participants, experts and criminal justice officials shared their experiences and discussed aspects related to Iraq's criminal justice response in holding ISIL/Da'esh accountable for its crimes. Other topics covered included the investigation, prosecution and sentencing in relation to international crimes, crime scene management and monitoring of detention units at international criminal tribunals.
Following the training, UNODC/TPB organised a study visit for the Iraqi judges to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the International Criminal Court whereby participants were introduced to the different organs of the aforementioned institutions, briefed on applicable laws and procedures as well as other areas of interest for the judges.
Feedback following the training was very positive and showcased that the participants welcomed the work of UNODC/TPB in supporting Iraq in its efforts to hold ISIL/Da'esh accountable for its crimes.
UNODC/TPB will continue to offer additional technical assistance and capacity building activities for Iraqi criminal justice officials.