Conference on Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law in Correctional Institutions in Iraq: Prospects and Challenges

As part of its continued efforts to support the principles of justice and strengthen the rule of law, the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy played an active and prominent role in organizing the conference “Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law in Correctional Institutions in Iraq: Prospects and Challenges.” The conference was jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice of Iraq and Koya University and was held on 21–22 May 2025 at Koya University.
The conference brought together representatives of the Iraqi federal government and official institutions in the Kurdistan Region, alongside a wide range of legal experts, judges, university professors, civil society representatives, and stakeholders working in the fields of justice and correctional reform. This broad participation reflected the importance and sensitivity of the issues addressed during the conference.
The conference primarily focused on advancing criminal justice and strengthening the rule of law within Iraq’s correctional institutions, recognizing these as fundamental pillars for achieving genuine justice, safeguarding human dignity, and improving the criminal justice system. The Investigator Organization f played a prominent role in the success of this national event, particularly through early planning and preparation and the exchange of ideas and perspectives with partners during the preceding months.
The conference featured a number of academic and legal research papers presented by scholars and university professors specializing in law. These presentations were followed by dialogue and discussion sessions addressing the principal challenges facing prisons and the correctional system in Iraq, as well as ways to develop the system in accordance with international legal and human rights standards.
The discussions identified a number of fundamental and practical challenges facing Iraq’s correctional system, including:
• Inadequate infrastructure, equipment, and essential resources in correctional institutions;
• The need for training and capacity development for personnel working in the judicial and correctional sectors;
• The absence of effective mechanisms for rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for reintegration into society following release.
At the same time, the conference put forward a number of future-oriented proposals and measures that could provide a basis for improving Iraq’s correctional system, including:
• Strengthening cooperation and partnership between official institutions and civil society organizations;
• Adopting correctional methodologies and procedures based on respect for human rights;
• Establishing a coordinated and unified legal and implementation framework for the correctional system across Iraq.
The conference was attended by senior government officials, including Dr. Burhan Mazhar Al-Qaisi, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Federal Government of Iraq, and Ms. Shilan Arif Hama, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Kurdistan Regional Government, alongside a number of other prominent figures.
At the conclusion of the conference, certificates and plaques of appreciation were presented to supporting and partner institutions in recognition of their contributions to the success of the event. In this context, Mr. Peshawa Hussamaddin, Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy, received the Organization’s commemorative plaque from the President of Koya University, who expressed his appreciation for the Organization’s active contribution and valuable efforts in making this national conference a success.
The conference was not merely an academic and scholarly event; it also represented a practical step toward advancing discussions on criminal justice and correctional reform in Iraq. Its outcomes and recommendations can provide a foundation for future legal and institutional reform efforts and for further strengthening the rule of law in the country.