Activities
Workshops, field programmes, legal-literacy campaigns, and advocacy initiatives across the Kurdistan Region.
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Continuation of the Legal Awareness Training Program for Religious Leaders under the Early Marriage Reduction Project
Within the framework of the "Reducing Early Marriage (Under the Age of 18) in the Kurdistan Region" project, IOL, Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the AICS Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), continued its series of legal awareness training courses for religious leaders by organizing another session on 4 November 2023 in the Penjwen District. The training aimed to strengthen the legal awareness of religious leaders and emphasize the importance of refraining from conducting marriage contracts outside the Personal Status Courts, as part of broader efforts to reduce the prevalence of early marriage in the Kurdistan Region and promote compliance with the applicable legal framework.
Announcement of Early Marriage Data in the Kurdistan Region
Within the framework of the "Reducing Early Marriage (Under the Age of 18) in the Kurdistan Region" project, Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the AICS Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), held a consultative meeting on 9 October 2023 to officially present statistical data on registered marriage contracts before the Personal Status Courts across the Kurdistan Region, including data on early marriage. During the meeting, statistical findings on early marriage were presented and analyzed, followed by discussions on the key factors contributing to its prevalence and its legal, social, and psychological consequences for children and society. Participants also emphasized the importance of strengthening policies and practical measures aimed at reducing early marriage and enhancing the protection of children's rights.
Legal Awareness Session Held in Sulaymaniyah to Combat Early Marriage
Within the framework of the “Reducing Early Marriage (Marriage Under the Age of 18) in the Kurdistan Region” project, the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), conducted a legal awareness session in Sulaymaniyah on 23 September 2023, as part of its ongoing series of legal awareness sessions for respected religious teachers. More than 25 religious scholars participated in the session, during which the applicable laws of the Kurdistan Region relating to the reduction of early marriage were discussed. The session also addressed the prevention of concluding marriage contracts outside the courts, with the aim of reducing early marriage and child marriage.
Investigator Organization Holds a Special Event on World Peace Day to Promote Human Rights in Prisons
Within the framework of the “Human Rights in Iraqi Prisons” project, implemented by the Justice for Prisoners Network (JNP) with the financial support of the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL) organized a special event to mark World Peace Day on 21 September 2023 at the Van Royal Hotel in Erbil. At the beginning of the event, the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL) and the Justice for Prisoners Network (JNP) delivered their remarks as the organizing partners. Subsequently, the Head of the Legal Office of the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the President of the Independent Human Rights Commission, and the Director General of the Kurdistan Region Reformatories spoke about the significance of the occasion and the role of their institutions in advancing reform within prisons. The participants agreed that individuals who have been convicted and sentenced, regardless of the nature of their crimes, do not lose their human rights and that their rights must be protected. Another topic discussed was alternative sanctions, with particular attention given to the benefits of applying alternative sanctions for both prisoners and society. Such systems are currently implemented in many countries. An art exhibition was also organized as part of the event, combining themes of peace and prisoners’ rights through visual artworks, which attracted considerable attention from the attendees.
Consolidating Health-Sector Laws and Regulations into a Single Legal Reference
As part of the activities of the project “Providing Services to Victims of Sexual Violence,” the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law (IOL) is implementing the project in coordination with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). As part of this project, The Organization is also preparing and publishing the book Health Sector Laws in the Kurdistan Region, an initiative proposed and originally envisioned by Dr. Saman Barzinji, Minister of Health. Since 2022, our organization, in coordination with a committee established within the Ministry of Health specifically for this purpose, has been working on the preparation and publication of this book. The book brings together all laws, regulations, and guidelines related to the health sector. For the first time in the Kurdistan Region, this important and valuable reference brings together the relevant laws and guidelines governing the health sector, which are otherwise dispersed across different legal sources, in a single volume.
Conducting the Fourth Training Course on the “International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Crimes” in Halabja
Within the framework of the “Providing Legal Services to Victims of Sexual Crimes” project, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the fourth training course on the “International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Crimes” was conducted in Halabja on 26–27 August 2023. The course lasted for two days and was delivered by trainer Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for Supporting the Rule of Law and Democracy. A total of 17 participants from the following groups took part: 1. Judicial investigators and judicial assistants from the Halabja Court. 2. Police officers from the offices for combating violence against women in Halabja and Sayyid Sadiq. 3. Lawyers from the Halabja Branch of the Kurdistan Bar Association. 4. Doctors and healthcare workers from the Halabja Health Directorate.
Conducting the Third Training Course on the “International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Crimes” in Raparin
Within the framework of the “Providing Legal Services to Victims of Sexual Crimes” project, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the third training course on the “International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Crimes” was conducted in Raparin on 29–30 July 2023. The course lasted for two days and was delivered by trainer Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for Supporting the Rule of Law and Democracy. A total of 22 participants from the following groups took part: 1. Judicial investigators and judicial assistants from the Raparin Court. 2. Police officers from the Unit for Combating Violence against Women in Raparin. 3. Lawyers from the Raparin Branch of the Kurdistan Bar Association. 4. Doctors and healthcare workers from the Raparin Health Directorate.
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.
Conducting the Second Training Course on the “International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Crimes” in Zakho
Within the framework of the “Providing Legal Services to Victims of Sexual Crimes” project, with the cooperation of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the second training course on the “International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Crimes” was conducted in Zakho on 24–25 June 2023. The two-day course was delivered by trainer Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for Supporting the Rule of Law and Democracy. A total of 20 participants from the following groups took part: 1. Judicial investigators and judicial assistants from the Zakho Court. 2. Police officers from the Unit for Combating Violence against Women in Zakho. 3. Lawyers from the Zakho Branch of the Kurdistan Bar Association. 4. Doctors and healthcare workers from the Zakho Health Directorate.
Legal Awareness Session on Reducing Early Marriage Held for Religious Leaders in Erbil
Within the framework of the project “Reducing Early Marriage -Marriage Under the Age of 18- in the Kurdistan Region,” the Investigator Organization for Supporting the Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), continued its series of legal awareness sessions for respected religious Leaders. On 17 June 2023, another legal awareness session was held in Erbil for more than 25 religious Leaders, focusing on the applicable laws and legal provisions in the Kurdistan Region aimed at reducing and preventing early marriage. Following the successful implementation of similar sessions during the previous year, the Organization is continuing this series of legal awareness activities throughout the current year, with the aim of strengthening legal awareness among religious leaders and supporting efforts to reduce early marriage.
Conducting the First Training Course on the “International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Crimes” in Soran
Within the framework of the project “Providing Legal Services to Victims of Sexual Crimes,” implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the first training course on the “International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Crimes” was conducted in Soran. The course was held for the following participants: 1. Judicial investigators from the courts of Soran, Rawanduz, and Choman. 2. Police officers from the Directorate for Combating Violence against Women. 3. Lawyers from the Soran Branch of the Kurdistan Bar Association. 4. Doctors and healthcare employees from the Soran Health Directorate. The course lasted for two days and was delivered by the experienced trainer Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for Supporting the Rule of Law and Democracy. It is worth noting that, from the previous year until now, this is the fourth training course conducted at the level of the Kurdistan Region on this subject. The course aims to provide services and improve the handling and documentation of cases related to victims of sexual violence by the participating professionals, in order to strengthen their professional practice and support the provision of appropriate services to victims.
Conference to Announce the Code of Conduct for Judges and the Code of Conduct for Lawyers
On Monday, 15 May 2023, the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL) held a conference at the Rotana Hotel in Erbil to announce the Code of Conduct for Judges and the Code of Conduct for Lawyers. The conference was attended by Judge Abdul Jabbar Aziz Hassan, President of the Kurdistan Region Judicial Council, together with his deputies; all members of the Kurdistan Region Court of Cassation; the presidents and members of the Courts of Appeal in Kurdistan; the presidents of criminal courts; Ms. Shilan Arif Hama, Deputy Minister of Justice; the Director General of the Diwan of the Ministry of Justice; Mr. Bakhtiar Haidar, President of the Kurdistan Bar Association; members of the Bar Association Council; a large number of advisers to the Kurdistan Parliament; lawyers; judicial investigators; a representative of the U.S. Consulate; and representatives of foreign and local organizations. The conference opened with welcoming remarks. Subsequently, Mr. Bakhtiar Haidar, President of the Kurdistan Bar Association, delivered a speech highlighting the coordination between the Bar Association and the Investigator Organization since the beginning of the work on preparing the Code of Conduct. He also emphasized the importance of this work in further organizing and improving the daily practice of lawyers, both within their profession and in their relations with the courts, describing this step as an important necessity. Following that, Peshawa Hussamaddin, the Project Manager, presented an overview of the project as a whole and explained the importance of having these two Codes of Conduct. He also discussed the challenges faced by the project team during the preparation of the codes. At the same time, he expressed his thanks and appreciation to the President of the Kurdistan Region Judicial Council for the exceptional support provided to the Investigator Organization. In continuation of his remarks, he also discussed the coordination between the Organization and the Kurdistan Bar Association and commended the role of the President of the Bar Association. In another part of the conference, Judge Nigar Ahmad Agha, a member of the Erbil District Court of Appeal, presented an overview of the most important provisions of the Code of Conduct for Judges to the participants. Subsequently, Dr. Pariz Najmaddin, a member of the Kurdistan Bar Association Council, likewise presented an overview of the most important provisions of the Code of Conduct for Lawyers to the participants. At the conclusion of the conference, participants and representatives of various entities expressed their appreciation and support for the work and activities of the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy, and wished the Organization continued progress and further success.