Baghdad, Iraq – On 13 November 2024, refurbishment of theYoung Boys Rehabilitation School (Al-Rashad) was concludedin a handover ceremony attended by representatives from the Iraqi Government, international community and civil society.
A healthier, safer and more supportive environment
The refurbishment of the reformatory was carried out as part of project "STRIVE Juvenile: Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Children by Terrorist and Violent Extremist Groups" which is funded by the European Union (EU) and led by UNODC in partnership with the Government of Iraq. This initiative highlights the parties’ joint commitment to promoting the rehabilitation and reintegration of children and young people deprived of their liberty by improving treatment and environments.
The enhancements at Al-Rashad Reformatory provide healthier and safer living conditions for around 270 children and young people detained, including for terrorism-related offences. They include the creation of four outdoor recreational spaces; the construction of a football pitch equipped with solar lighting; the renovation of eight restrooms; the establishment of a dental clinic and a quarantine room to safely isolate cases of transmissible disease; and the provision of essential equipment for improving access to education, vocational training, sport and leisure. Crucial structural adjustments have also beenmade to prevent flooding in an accommodation hall.
A further 300 children and young people have benefited from renovations made through the STRIVE Juvenile project at Ninawa Juvenile Reformatory in Mosul, Iraq. Classrooms have been added to create an environment that is conducive to learning. A new gym and multipurpose hall has paved the way for physical and recreational activities. Capacity for family visits has been increased by 60 per cent, enabling contact with the outside world. Spaces where social workers can meet with those deprived of their liberty provide opportunities for essential mental health and psychosocial support. Renovated washrooms are supportive of good hygiene, while solar panels and new water tanks ensure that constant electricity and water is sustainably and securely provided.
“These enhancements go beyond physical renovations; they represent UNODC’s commitment to investing in the potential of every child and young person,” said Mr. Ali El-Bereir, Head of UNODC in Iraq. “By creating spaces that nurture growth, learning, and connection, we support these individuals on a path to reintegration, giving them a chance to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their societies.”
Education and Skills-Building as Cornerstones
All children have the right to access education and vocational training is essential for equipping young people with marketable skills for employment on release.Possibilitiesforchildren and young peopleat Baghdad’s Young Boys Rehabilitation Schoolhave increasedas a result of equipment including tools for carpentry, blacksmithingand sewing; as well as computers and interactive whiteboards. Recreational equipmentincluding football and table tennis tables havebeen introduced to provideall-important opportunities for fun and socialization.
“Every success we achieve in rehabilitating and reintegrating a juvenile is a success for the protection of our society and ensuring of a better future for our children”, said Mr. Mohamed Radi Bahr, Director General of the Juvenile Care Directorate, Ministry of Justice. “We strongly believe that the solution is in rehabilitation and reform, and not punishment and marginalization”.
Collaborationfor a Safer Future
These renovations have been made possible through the collaborative efforts of Iraq’s Ministry of Justice, EU, UNODC and UN-Habitat.
“The enhancements that we will see today are testament to the collective efforts of international partners and foremost national Iraqi stakeholders under the STRIVE Juvenile project.” said Mr. Frerik Kampman, representing the EU Delegation in Iraq. “We believe that every child deserves a chance to rebuild their life, and today’s event marks an important step toward realizing that vision. Providing this chance is a shared priority for all of us involved”.
“Improving living conditions gives juveniles an enhanced environment that encourages better choices and a brighter future,” said Mr. Ryosuke Teraoka, Head of UN-Habitat Kurdistan Region of Iraq Office.“UN-Habitat is proud to support the STRIVE Juvenile project and Iraqi authorities in creating a safer future for Iraq’s youth.”
Looking Ahead
The ceremony concluded with a guided tour of the newly renovated sections of the reformatory, allowing attendees to witness first-hand, the improvements that have been made. The upgraded facility now offers an environment that is more conducive to rehabilitation and reintegration, paving the way for a brighter future for children and young people deprived of their liberty in Iraq the context of terrorism and counter-terrorism.
Learn more about STRIVE Juvenile work in Iraq here.
Through the project 'STRIVE Juvenile: Preventing and Responding to Violence against Children by Terrorist and Violent Extremist Groups,' funded by the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the partner countries, Indonesia, Iraq, and Nigeria, will develop and implement comprehensive national responses.
These responses focus on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism affecting children, in full respect of human rights, gender equality, and international law.
Key resources
2023 - 2030 Strategy to End Violence Against Children - OSRSG-VAC UNODC
2023 - 2024 Action Plan to End Violence Against Children
