Activities
Workshops, field programmes, legal-literacy campaigns, and advocacy initiatives across the Kurdistan Region.
Investigator Organization Holds a Meeting with STOP Organization to Discuss Anti-Corruption Efforts
The Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy held a meeting with the STOP Organization to discuss a number of important organizational issues related to combating corruption. During the meeting, the two sides discussed several areas of common interest and explored opportunities for cooperation and coordination in support of anti-corruption efforts and the promotion of integrity and transparency.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Participates in an Important Discussion on the Anti-Corruption Strategy
On the morning of 4 October 2022, Attorney and Legal Adviser Peshawa Hussamaddin, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy, participated in an important discussion organized by the Kurdistan Region Integrity Commission, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), at the Divan Hotel in Erbil. The discussion addressed the anti-corruption strategy and the role of civil society organizations in supporting and contributing to its implementation.
Consultative Session on the Role of Women and Youth in Decision-Making Positions
Within the framework of the project “Advancing the Rule of Law and Increasing the Participation of Women and Youth in Decision-Making Positions,” the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy, in partnership with the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), held a consultative session on 4 October 2022 for unions and syndicates to discuss the role of women and youth in decision-making positions within these institutions. The session emphasized the importance of the effective and sustained participation of women and youth in unions and syndicates, particularly in light of the considerable potential possessed by these two groups, which has not yet been fully and adequately utilized.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Participates in a Special Meeting with a Senior UNDP Delegation
On 21 September 2022, Attorney and Legal Adviser Peshawa Hossamaddin, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law, participated in a special meeting with a senior delegation from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) at Divan Erbil Hotel in Erbil. The main focus of the meeting was to discuss the monitoring of trial procedures in corruption-related cases. The meeting lasted for approximately one and a half hours and concluded with agreement on a number of measures and follow-up actions to be jointly pursued by both parties in the future.
Third Consultative Session Held to Discuss the Study on Laws and Institutions Addressing Corruption in the Kurdistan Region
Within the framework of the "Combating Corruption to Restore Trust in Iraq" project, implemented with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law (IOL), with the support of UNDP, is preparing an analytical study entitled "Laws and Institutions Addressing Corruption in the Kurdistan Region – An Analytical Study." With the aim of enriching the study and gathering the views and perspectives of relevant stakeholders, the Investigator Organization held its third consultative session in Duhok on 10 September 2022. At the beginning of the session, Azad Abdulqadir Waladbagi, Project Manager, presented an overview of the project's implementation process and significance. Subsequently, the project's researcher, Dr. Mohammed Rekani, presented the various themes of the study, focusing on the laws and institutions in the Kurdistan Region concerned with combating corruption. The session was attended by a number of members of parliament, judges, members of the public prosecution, university professors, and directors and officials from relevant institutions, including the Board of Supreme Audit, investigation directorates affiliated with the Integrity Commission, tax directorates, the Independent Human Rights Commission, civil society organizations, and media outlets. The session addressed a number of challenges and obstacles related to the laws and institutions in the Kurdistan Region responsible for combating corruption, while also presenting a range of diverse recommendations and perspectives aimed at improving the effectiveness of these laws and institutions and strengthening their role in combating corruption.
Chairman of the Investigator Organization Participates in a Consultative Meeting with U.S. Department of State Officials
On 8 September 2022, Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law (IOL), participated in a consultative meeting with Barbara A. Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, in the presence of Mr. Irvin Hicks, U.S. Consul General in Erbil. The meeting addressed the current political situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the situation of women and youth in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. It is worth noting that representatives of a number of other organizations from the Kurdistan Region also participated in the meeting.
Fourth Legal Awareness Training Course Conducted for Islamic Religious Leaders in the Garmian Independent Administration
Within the framework of the "Preventing Child Marriage Under the Age of 18" project, implemented by the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with the support of the Regional Development and Protection Program (RDPP), the fourth legal awareness training course was conducted for 23 Islamic religious leaders in the Garmian Independent Administration. The course was attended by Mr. Sabah Mohammed Saleh, Director of the Garmian Endowment Directorate, and Sheikh Hama Amin Abdulqadir Hussein, Head of the Garmian Branch of the Kurdistan Islamic Scholars Union. The course commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Awder Anwar Karim, Project Manager, who provided an overview of the project and its objectives. He also presented the program of ten legal awareness training courses being conducted for Islamic religious leaders across the governorates and independent administrations of the Kurdistan Region. Following this, Mr. Sabah Mohammed Saleh delivered remarks on behalf of the Garmian Endowment Directorate, emphasizing the importance of such courses in enhancing the legal awareness and cultural knowledge of Islamic religious leaders. Sheikh Hama Amin Abdulqadir Hussein also delivered remarks highlighting the importance of these courses in strengthening the knowledge and legal awareness of Islamic religious leaders, and proposed the continuation of similar training courses in other areas of Garmian. The legal session was subsequently delivered by Judge Badraddin Barzanji, who addressed a number of legal topics related to the objectives of the project. Following the lecture, an interactive discussion was held during which participants exchanged views, raised questions, and received responses to the issues discussed.
Second Consultative Session Held to Discuss the Study on Laws and Institutions Addressing Corruption in the Kurdistan Region
Within the framework of the "Combating Corruption to Restore Trust in Iraq" project, implemented with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law (IOL), with the support of UNDP, is preparing an analytical study entitled "Laws and Institutions Addressing Corruption in the Kurdistan Region – An Analytical Study." With the aim of enriching the study and gathering the views and perspectives of relevant stakeholders, the Investigator Organization held its second consultative session in Sulaymaniyah on 27 August 2022. At the beginning of the session, Azad Abdulqadir Waladbagi, Project Manager, presented an overview of the implementation process and significance of the project. Subsequently, the project's researcher, Dr. Mohammed Rekani, presented the various themes of the study, focusing on the laws and institutions in the Kurdistan Region concerned with combating corruption. The session was attended by a number of members of parliament, judges, public prosecution members, university professors, and representatives of relevant institutions, including the Board of Supreme Audit, investigation directorates affiliated with the Integrity Commission, tax directorates, the Independent Human Rights Commission, civil society organizations, and media outlets. The session addressed a number of challenges and obstacles related to the laws and institutions responsible for combating corruption in the Kurdistan Region, while also presenting a range of diverse recommendations and perspectives aimed at strengthening the role and effectiveness of these laws and institutions.
Second Legal Awareness Training Course Conducted for Islamic Religious Leaders in the Soran Independent Administration
Within the framework of the "Preventing Child Marriage Under the Age of 18" project, implemented by the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with the support of the Regional Development and Protection Program (RDPP), the second legal awareness training course was conducted for 23 Islamic religious leaders from the Soran Independent Administration. The event was attended by Dr. Pshtiwan Sreshmayi, Director of the Soran Endowment Directorate, and Mulla Rasul Gaznaye, Administrative Officer of the Soran Branch of the Kurdistan Islamic Scholars Union. The program commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Awder Anwar Karim, Project Manager, who presented an overview of the project and outlined the series of ten legal awareness training courses being implemented for Islamic religious leaders across the governorates and independent administrations of the Kurdistan Region. Following this, Dr. Pshtiwan Sreshmayi delivered the remarks of the Soran Endowment Directorate, emphasizing the importance of such training programs in enhancing the legal awareness of religious leaders and strengthening their role in promoting legal culture within society. Mulla Rasul Gaznaye then delivered the remarks of the Kurdistan Islamic Scholars Union, highlighting the value of these training programs in improving the legal knowledge of religious leaders and recommending that similar courses continue to be organized throughout the different areas of the Soran Independent Administration. The training session was subsequently delivered by Judge Badraddin Barzanji, who addressed a number of legal topics related to the objectives of the project. The session concluded with an interactive discussion during which participants exchanged views, raised questions, and received comprehensive legal responses.
Consultative Dialogue Session on the Draft Code of Conduct for Lawyers in the Kurdistan Region
As part of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Kurdistan Lawyers Syndicate and the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL), and within the framework of the Code of Conduct for Lawyers in the Kurdistan Region Project, the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL), in coordination with the Kurdistan Lawyers Syndicate, organized a specialized consultative dialogue session to review the draft Code of Conduct and gather the views and recommendations of legal experts and practitioners. The session was attended by Mr. Bakhtiar Haider, President of the Kurdistan Lawyers Syndicate, and Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL). The meeting commenced with welcoming remarks delivered by Peshawa Hussam Al-Din, Legal Advisor and Project Manager, who presented an overview of the project's objectives, scope, and implementation stages. This was followed by remarks from Mr. Bakhtiar Haider in his capacity as President of the Kurdistan Lawyers Syndicate. Participants then proceeded to review the draft Code of Conduct article by article. Comments, observations, and recommendations submitted by the participating lawyers were discussed in detail to enhance and further refine the draft. It is worth noting that the session brought together a significant number of experienced legal practitioners and experts from across the Kurdistan Region, whose contributions played an important role in strengthening and enriching the draft Code of Conduct.
Opening of the Judicial Investigation Office at the Duhok Institute of Forensic Medicine
Within the framework of the "Review of Mandatory Forensic Medical Reports" project, the Judicial Investigation Office at the Duhok Institute of Forensic Medicine was officially inaugurated on the morning of 9 August 2022. The opening ceremony was attended by Lionel LAFORGUE, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Kurdistan Region; Judge Ramadhan Mohammed, Deputy Chief Judge of the Duhok Court of Appeal; Dr. Afrasyab, Director General of Health in Duhok; Dr. Nawzad Mohammed, Director of the Duhok Institute of Forensic Medicine; Raid Waleed, Representative of the Duhok Police Directorate; together with Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investigator Organization for supporting role of law and Democracy (IOL), Ali Abdulrahman, Project Manager, and Hakar Amedi, Project Coordinator. The inauguration was held in an official ceremony attended by representatives of several media outlets. The office aims to streamline procedures, facilitate services for citizens, and strengthen access to timely and effective justice. The "Review of Mandatory Forensic Medical Reports" project is being implemented by 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 Regional Development and Protection Program (RDPP) over a period of four months. During the implementation period, all necessary equipment and operational requirements were provided for the Judicial Investigation Offices at the Institutes of Forensic Medicine in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. Through close cooperation with the Kurdistan Judicial Council, the Courts of Appeal of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok, the Ministry of Health, and the departments of the Institutes of Forensic Medicine. The project includes the standardization of investigation forms relating to homicide victims and suspicious deaths, as well as forensic examination forms for sexual violence cases. It is worth noting that, pursuant to Order No. (881) issued by the Kurdistan Judicial Council on 28 March 2022, these Judicial Investigation Offices were officially established in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok within the framework of this project. From now on, the Judicial Investigation Offices will be responsible for receiving requests and investigation forms related to deceased persons, as well as forensic examination reports concerning sexual assault cases. Police stations will also receive their official reports directly from these offices.
Visit of the Investigator Organization Delegation to the Integrity Committee of the Kurdistan Parliament
A delegation from the Investigator Organization for Supporting the Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL), consisting of Dr. Ahmed Miran, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Azad Abdulqadir Waladbegi, Member of the Advisory Council, and Parosh Farhad Qadir, Member of the Administration Department, visited the Integrity Committee of the Kurdistan Parliament, where they were warmly received by the Chairperson and members of the Committee. During the meeting, in addition to presenting an overview of the activities and achievements of the Investigator Organization over the past years, the delegation highlighted the Organization’s latest project entitled “Law and Institutions in Confronting Corruption – An Analytical Study.” The project is being implemented by the Investigator Organization for Supporting the Rule of Law and Democracy (IOL) with financial support from UNDP over a period of five months. For their part, the Chairperson and members of the Integrity Committee of the Kurdistan Parliament presented an overview of the Committee’s mandate and activities. They also highly commended the work and achievements of the Investigator Organization, expressed their full support for the project, and affirmed their readiness to provide any necessary cooperation within the framework of its implementation.