Strengthening Legal Protection and Combating Torture on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, observed annually on 26 June, the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law (IOL) raised the slogan:
“No international or domestic law grants anyone the right to torture another person.”
As part of this occasion, the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law (IOL), in coordination with the PAW Organization, held a special gathering on the evening of 26 June 2023 at the Erbil International Hotel (Sheraton) in Erbil, within the framework of an important project supported by the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and the European Union (EU).
During the gathering, Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law (IOL), highlighted the Organization’s efforts to further strengthen and implement Article 128(b) of the Iraqi Penal Code No. (23) of 1971, which concerns limiting the taking of an accused person’s confession to cases in which the accused admits to committing an offence before the investigative judge.
In this regard, following a request by the Investigator Organization, the Independent Human Rights Commission in the Kurdistan Region submitted an official letter to the Judicial Council of the Kurdistan Region, which was subsequently circulated to all Courts of Appeal in the Region. The Presidency of the Public Prosecution also followed up on the matter and circulated it for the necessary action.
Overall, this measure represents an important step toward protecting human rights, upholding the principles of justice, and strengthening the rule of law. It is expected to have a positive impact on the organization of investigation and trial procedures.