Activities
Workshops, field programmes, legal-literacy campaigns, and advocacy initiatives across the Kurdistan Region.
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Training Course for Judicial Investigators and Police Officers Held in Sulaymaniyah
As part of the “Provision of Legal Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault” project, on 28–29 August 2024, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom – UK Aid, conducted a two-day training course for judicial investigators and police officers in Sulaymaniyah, under the title “The Role of Forensic Medicine in Investigating Sexual Violence Crimes.”The training was delivered by Dr. Barzan Mohammed Ali Dartash, Adviser and Director of the Sulaymaniyah Forensic Medicine Institute, with the participation of a number of judicial investigators and police investigation officers. During the training, emphasis was placed on the role of forensic medicine in investigating sexual crimes, methods of collecting medical evidence in cases of sexual violence, as well as types of physical injuries and wounds, and exposure to narcotic substances and their associated risks.
Legal Awareness Session for Religious Leaders Held in Said Sadiq
On 24 August 2024, as part of the implementation of the “Reducing Early Marriage” project, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from UK Aid, conducted another legal awareness session for religious leaders in Said Sadiq District, Sharazoor area.The session was held in the presence of Sheikh Tahir Mahmood Rasul, Director of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in Sharazoor, and focused on the importance of complying with legal procedures and not concluding marriage contracts outside the courts, thereby contributing to efforts to reduce the prevalence of early marriage in the Kurdistan Region.
Third Workshop on Protecting Cultural Heritage and Sacred Religious Sites Held in Duhok
On 17 August 2024, as part of the “Strengthening Religious Coexistence among Different Religious Components in the Kurdistan Region/Iraq” project, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL) and MEMECS, in partnership with the International King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), held their third workshop in Duhok under the title “Protecting Cultural Heritage and Sacred Religious Sites.”The workshop brought together representatives of different religious and ethnic components and focused on the importance of protecting cultural heritage and sacred religious sites, as well as the role of diverse components in preserving and promoting these cultural values and heritage.The activity formed part of joint efforts to strengthen religious coexistence and dialogue among diverse communities and support initiatives aimed at protecting cultural heritage and sacred religious sites in the Kurdistan Region.
IOL Delegation Visits the Head of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations
On 12 August 2024, a delegation from the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), comprising Dr. Ahmad Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Advocate Awder Anwar, Head of Relations, Umed Rasul, Project Manager, and Vian Mohammed and Gullalla Mazhar, Project Coordinators, visited Mr. Falah Hassan, Head of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations.The visit was held to congratulate Mr. Falah Hassan on assuming his new position as Head of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations. During the meeting, the organization’s delegation presented an overview of the organization’s work and activities, while both sides emphasized the importance of coordination and undertaking joint and collaborative work as part of future activities.At the conclusion of the meeting, the Head of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations expressed interest in the work and activities of the Investigator Organization, and both sides agreed to continue holding meetings and dialogue in the future.
Second Workshop on the Protection of Heritage and Holy Religious Sites Held
As part of the “Strengthening Religious Coexistence among Different Religious Components in the Kurdistan Region/Iraq” project, on 3 August 2024, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL) and (MEMECS), in partnership with the International King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), held their second workshop in Sulaymaniyah under the title “Protecting Heritage and Holy Religious Sites.”The workshop brought together representatives of diverse religious and ethnic components and provided a platform for discussion and exchange of views on the importance of protecting heritage and holy religious sites, as well as the role of these components in preserving those cultural values and heritage.The activity was part of joint efforts to strengthen religious coexistence and dialogue among diverse components and support efforts to protect heritage and holy religious sites in the Kurdistan Region.
Training Course for Medical Practitioners Held in Erbil
As part of the “Provision of Legal Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault” project, on 31 July and 1 August 2024, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom – UK Aid, organized a two-day training course for medical practitioners working in psychological and physical treatment in Erbil.The training was held under the title “How to Provide Psychological and Physical Treatment to Survivors of Sexual Assault”, with the participation of specialists in psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology. The course focused on procedures and approaches for providing psychological and physical support and treatment to survivors of sexual assault.The training was delivered by three experienced trainers: Dr. Ahmad Miran, a specialist in international criminal law; Dr. Redar Mohammed Amin, a psychiatry specialist; and Dr. Jamila Saleh Hamad Amin, a forensic medicine specialist. Ms. Azhee Amin, Head of the Programs Section at UNFPA in the region, also attended the training. At the conclusion of the course, certificates of participation were presented to the participants.
Legal Training Course for Educational Counselors under the Early Marriage Reduction Project
As part of the “Reducing Early Marriage” project, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom – UK Aid, organized a two-day training course for educational counselors on 27–28 July 2024, titled “Legal Training to Strengthen Educational Counselors’ Legal, Social, and Psychological Knowledge on Reducing Early Marriage.”The course was attended by Ms. Khandan Saber Mohammed, Director of Educational Counseling at the Ministry of Education, and Ms. Azhee Amin, UNFPA Representative. The training aimed to strengthen educational counselors’ legal, social, and psychological knowledge regarding early marriage and enhance their role in raising awareness among school students about this issue.Over the two-day course, trainers Payraw Anwar and Mr. Youssef Othman presented a range of legal, social, and psychological topics related to early marriage. Discussions and exchanges of views were also held on the role of educational counselors in raising students’ awareness. At the conclusion of the course, certificates of participation were presented to the participants.
Training Course to Build the Capacities of Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Inspectors
On 17–18 July 2024, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom – UK Aid, organized a two-day training course titled “Building the Capacities of Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Inspectors.”The course aimed to raise the legal awareness of inspectors at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs regarding the prevention of sexual violence in the workplace, while strengthening their capacities to protect the working environment and promote a safe and stable workplace in the private sector.Over the two-day course, international trainer Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Amin Miran covered a range of topics related to sexual violence in the workplace and the role of labor inspectors in preventing and addressing such forms of violence. At the conclusion of the course, certificates of participation were distributed to the participants.
IOL Delegation Visits the General Directorate for Combating Violence against Women and Family
On 10 July 2024, a delegation from the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), comprising Mr. Peshawa Hussam Al-Din, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Ali Abdulrahman, Head of Projects, Advocate Awder Anwar, Head of the Relations Department, and Vian Mohammed and Gulala Mazhar, Project Coordinators, visited the General Directorate for Combating Violence against Women and Family.The delegation was received by the Director General of the Directorate. During the meeting, Mr. Peshawa Hussam Al-Din presented the organization’s role, projects, and activities in areas related to violence against women and domestic violence.For its part, the General Directorate expressed its appreciation for and support of the organization’s projects and activities in this field, emphasizing the importance of the role of civil society organizations in addressing these issues. It also expressed its readiness to cooperate and engage in joint work with the Investigator Organization.
Dialogue Session to Follow Up on the Amendment of Iraq’s Juvenile Welfare Law
On 2 July 2024, under the patronage of Dr. Khalid Shwani, Minister of Justice of Iraq, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) and Public Aid Organization (PAO), and with financial support from the European Union (EU), organized a dialogue session at the Al-Mansour Melia Hotel in Baghdad to follow up on and discuss the amendment of Juvenile Welfare Law No. (76) of 1983, particularly the proposed change to the age of criminal responsibility from completion of 9 years to completion of 11 years.The session was attended by Dr. Burhan Al-Qaisi, Deputy Minister of Justice, as well as a number of parliamentarians, judges, members of the Public Prosecution, general directors, and officials from relevant institutions, including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and the Independent Human Rights Commission. Representatives of several international and local organizations, including NPA, PAO, UNAMI, UNICEF, and IILHR.At the opening of the session, Dr. Ahmed Miran, Head of the Investigator Organization, welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives and significance of the session. Dr. Burhan Al-Qaisi, Deputy Minister of Justice, then delivered remarks expressing his support for the issue and commending the Investigator Organization for its efforts in this field.Mr. Abdul Hadi Abdul Reda, Assistant Director General of the Juvenile Rehabilitation Directorate, subsequently presented an overview of the process of amending Juvenile Welfare Law No. (76) of 1983, with particular focus on the proposed amendment to the age of criminal responsibility.Mr. Azad Waladbagi, EU Project Coordinator, then presented the project’s content, objectives, and activities. This was followed by remarks from Mr. Muhammad Rashid, Assistant Director of the Legal Department at the Ministry of Justice, who presented the substance of the amendment to the Juvenile Welfare Law, prepared with the support of the Investigator Organization within the framework of the EU project.The participants expressed their support and appreciation for these efforts and for the process of amending the law. It was also noted that the draft amendment to the Juvenile Welfare Law is currently under consideration by the State Council of Iraq, while the participating parliamentarians expressed their readiness to support this step once the draft law reaches the Iraqi Council of Representatives.
Legal Awareness Session Held for Religious Leaders in Amedi
As part of the implementation of the “Reducing Early Marriage” project, the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from UK Aid, conducted another legal awareness session for religious leaders in Amedi District on 29 June 2024.The session aimed to raise legal awareness among religious leaders and highlight the importance of complying with legal procedures when concluding marriage contracts, particularly refraining from concluding marriage contracts outside the courts, thereby contributing to efforts to reduce early marriage in the Kurdistan Region.The session was attended by Mr. Jaafar Shaban Hamo, President of the Amedi Union of Scholars, and Mr. Hakar Abdul Salam, Director of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in Amedi District.The activity forms part of the project’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the role of religious leaders in raising community awareness and supporting efforts to reduce early marriage in the Kurdistan Region.
IOL Delegation Meets with the General Directorate of Labor and Social Affairs
As part of the implementation of the “Provision of Legal Services for Survivors of GBV in the Private Sector” project, a delegation from the Investigator Organization for Supporting Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from UK Aid, met with Mr. Mariwan Bagok, Director General of Labor and Social Affairs, on 12 June 2024.The delegation included Umed Rasul, Project Manager, and Gulala Mazhar and Vian Mohammed, Project Coordinators. During the meeting, the participants discussed coordination and cooperation between the General Directorate of Labor and Social Affairs and IOL, as well as mechanisms for strengthening this coordination.In the second part of the meeting, the Project Manager presented the project’s main objectives and content, followed by a discussion of its framework and activities. The participants also discussed the role of civil society organizations and institutions in strengthening the rule of law and advancing cooperation among relevant stakeholders.The meeting represented a step toward strengthening institutional coordination and cooperation and supporting efforts to provide legal services and support to survivors of violence in the private sector.