Activities
Workshops, field programmes, legal-literacy campaigns, and advocacy initiatives across the Kurdistan Region.
Conducting Two Legal and Psychological Awareness Sessions for High School Students and Their Parents at ArinKo School in Banaslawa
As part of the ongoing activities implemented by IOL, Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy, in partnership with the UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, with financial support from the AICS, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and in coordination with the Ministry of Education, under the project “Reducing Early Child Marriage in the Kurdistan Region,” two separate legal and psychological awareness sessions were conducted for high school students and their parents at Arin-Ko School in Banaslawa. The two sessions were held on 28 and 30 November 2023, with the participation of approximately 500 students and parents. The sessions aimed to strengthen legal and social awareness, highlight the risks and negative consequences of early child marriage, and support ongoing efforts to reduce this phenomenon in the Kurdistan Region.
Legal and Psychological Awareness Session for Parents of Bakhani Girls High School Students Held as Part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
As part of the ongoing activities of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and within the framework of the “Reducing Early Child Marriage in the Kurdistan Region” project, IOL, Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and in coordination with the Ministry of Education, organized a series of legal and psychological awareness sessions for parents of secondary school students across Erbil Governorate. Within this initiative, a one-day awareness session was held on 23 November 2023 for the parents of students at Bakhani Girls High School in Banaslawa. The session aimed to raise awareness of the legal, social, and psychological consequences of early marriage, strengthen the role of families in protecting girls and supporting their right to education, and contribute to reducing the prevalence of child marriage in the Kurdistan Region.
Conducting a two-day course to develop the skills of educational counselors in legal, social and psychological fields
As part of the continued implementation of the “Reducing Early Marriage in the Kurdistan Region” project, the IOL, Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy, in partnership with the UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, and with financial support from the AICS, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, organized a two-day training course in Erbil on 19–20 November 2023. The training was designed to strengthen the legal, social, and psychological capacities of educational counselors, enabling them to play a more effective role in raising community awareness, supporting children and adolescents, and contributing to efforts aimed at preventing early marriage.
Conference on Strengthening Juvenile Investigation and Trial Procedures in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region
Within the framework of the project “Promoting the Right to a Fair Trial, Improving Detention Conditions, and Preventing Torture,” IOL, Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy, organized a conference in Erbil on 18 November 2023 to discuss ways of strengthening investigation and trial procedures relating to juveniles. The conference was organized in partnership with NPA, Norwegian People's Aid, and the Public Aid Organization (PAO), with financial support from the European Union (EU), within the framework of the Iraq National Human Rights Action Plan (2020–2024). The conference brought together 70 participants representing a wide range of governmental institutions in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including the Council of Representatives of Iraq and the Kurdistan Parliament, the Kurdistan Region Judicial Council, the Ministries of Interior and the Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, the High Commission and the Independent Commission for Human Rights in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, in addition to academics and representatives of international and local organizations. The conference concluded successfully with a number of practical recommendations aimed at improving the conditions of juveniles and enhancing the juvenile justice system in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. These recommendations will be formally submitted to the relevant authorities to support future legal and institutional reforms.
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.