UNAMI Newsletter United Nations Assistance Mission for

Newsletter - Issue 1 May 2010 UN welcomes successful recount of ballots IN THIS ISSUE by Iraq election commission

UN welcomes successful recount of recount and commended ballots by Iraq election commission … 1 the manner in which IHEC ensured integrity of the Positive discussions mark the third entire process. SRSG round of talks between the Hadba Melkert also expressed and the Ninewa Fraternal Lists……... 1 UNAMI’s pride in having

Endorsing the UNDAF - A historic supported these efforts. moment for Iraq ………………………. 2 Throughout this process, UNAMI provided technical World Press Freedom Day in Iraq advice and support to the hits its mark…………………………… 3 IHEC as part of the UNHCR Iraq’s shelter programme: mission’s mandate. This The gift of a shiny key: …..………….. 4 assistance included the deployment of a team of Iraqi lawyers get familiar with international staff to the international criminal justice ………… 4 IHEC Spokesperson, Qasem Al-Abudi, on the right, at a press recount center to follow conference announcing the recount results. Photo: UNAMI/2010 Preparations underway for Iraq’s the recount and to help ensure credibility of the public sector modernization ………… 5 rdered by the By 16 May, IHEC was able process. Electoral Judicial to announce the results of National Anti-Corruption Strategy UNAMI continues to rolled out for Iraq …………………… 5 O Panel, the recount the recount, which did of more than 2.5 million not affect the distribution provide assistance to the UNESCO discusses assistance in ballots cast in Baghdad of seats among the IHEC as it addresses any support of ’s important cultural governorate was winning political entities remaining issues from this role ……………………………………. 6 successfully completed by in Baghdad governorate. election, and as it begins the Independent High to plan for future electoral UN in Action ...... 6 Mr. Ad Melkert, the events that may take Electoral Commission Special Representative of place later this year. ■ (IHEC) on 14 May, less the UN Secretary-General than two weeks after it (SRSG) for Iraq, welcomed had started. the proper conduct of the

Positive discussions mark the third round of talks between the Hadba and the Ninewa Fraternal Lists

ollowing Iraq’s Provincial Elections Fraternal Lists were of January 2009, complications convened in Erbil on 15 F resulting from the formation of the May as a continuation provincial government led to the Ninewa of an initiative Fraternal List’s boycott of the Provincial undertaken by Deputy Council. Numerous local governing Prime Minister Rafae authorities also took part in the boycott, al-Issawi. Positive discussions mark the third round of the Hadba-Ninewa Fraternal talks. which further complicated the situation. Focusing on concrete Photo: UNAMI/2010 However, more than a year later, the measures to end the situation has improved particularly current boycott, the meeting was chaired Interior, Kareem Sinjari, and Ninewa’s following a series of talks held under the by the SRSG for Iraq, Ad Melkert, and Governor, Atheel al-Nujaifi, in the auspices of UNAMI. attended by delegations led by Kurdistan presence of Deputy Prime Minister, ► Talks between the Hadba and the Ninewa Regional Government’s (KRG) Minister of Rafae al-Issawi, and KRG President’s

Chief of Staff, Fuad Hussein. “We came to “This meeting proved that both the Hadba Kurdistan Region, security arrangements Erbil with all the possible solutions and this and the Fraternal Lists aim at agreements and the establishment of a committee on time it is apparent that we are close to that would serve the interests of all inhabi- the protection of minorities. Representa- reaching a consensus”, Governor Nujeifi tants of Ninewa”, SRSG Melkert said. “I am tives from both the Hadba and the Frater- said. KRG Minister of Interior Sinjari ex- optimistic that in the foreseeable future nal Lists will continue the talks for the pressed similar sentiments noting that specific steps can be announced, based on return of the Fraternal List to the provincial “through constructive discussion, consen- the expression of constructive engagement administration and council. sus could be generated and we are close to by all parties”. To support national reconciliation in gen- it”. Both sides shared a common vision of Regarding the process of confidence build- eral and to restore effective and inclusive serving the citizens of Ninewa and contrib- ing, several issues of mutual concern were governance within Ninewa in particular, uting to the stability of the governorate discussed including the situation of detain- UNAMI will continue to facilitate talks through specific confidence building meas- ees from Ninewa currently held in the between both sides. ■ ures.

Endorsing the UNDAF - A historic moment for Iraq

DSRSG McNab (left) and Dr. Metti (right) sign the UNDAF . Photo: UNAMI/2010

he 11 th of May this year marked a and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Deputy Minister of Planning and Devel- historic day for the United Nations who signed the UNDAF on behalf of the opment Cooperation, acknowledged T and the Government of Iraq, with United Nations in Iraq. “that the priorities set out in this the signing of the first United Nations The UNDAF required over two years of programme are highly compatible and Development Assistance Framework work involving discussion, collaboration consistent with the Iraqi National Devel- (UNDAF) for Iraq for the period 2011- and planning with representatives from opment Plan. The Government of Iraq 2014. This endorsement solidifies a the Government of Iraq, the United will work closely with the United Nations strong foundation of partnership and Nations, civil society, academia, and the and its partners to ensure that cooperation between the United Nations private sector. In line with Iraq’s five year enjoy living in peace and prosperity, and Country Team, the Government of Iraq National Development Plan, the UNDAF dignity”. and national partners, and sets the tone for Iraq reflects the country’s priorities. It The UNDAF will ensure that the United for a new framework of development for aims to contribute towards state and Nations and the international community the country. peace building through programme will continue to support the government Endorsing the UNDAF marks “in many interventions in five key areas: promoting and people of Iraq. Development ways a new beginning but also a conti- good governance and protection of programmes under the UNDAF will be nuity because the United Nations works human rights; economic growth; funded by UN agencies, the international with governments to ensure they have environmental protection and manage- donor community, and co-financed by the capacity to look after their people ment; ensuring access to improved basic the Government of Iraq in line with com- and generate socio-economic growth for services for all; and special investment in mitments under the Paris Declaration on all citizens; to ensure that citizens get the capacities of women, youth and Aid Effectiveness. The private sector will essential services - health, education, children to enable full participation in all also be mobilized to participate in the water - that they need for their everyday aspects of life in Iraq. national development process. ■ lives and for the lives of their children”, Signing the UNDAF on behalf of the said Ms. Christine McNab, UN Resident Government of Iraq, Dr. Sami Metti, www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 2

World Press Freedom Day in Iraq hits its mark

By George Papagiannis, UNESCO Iraq

call for a Freedom of Information Law for the event. was supported by a chorus of over Journalist Nadjha A 1,000 journalists, reporters and Kadhim, a member bloggers from all over Iraq, in observance of of Temkin - a coali- UNESCO World Press Freedom Day cele- rd tion of press advo- brated each year on May 3 . Attendees in- cacy groups that cluded Mr. Mufid Al-Jazairy, former MP and has been working former Chairman of the Media and Culture on a draft law for Commission on the Council of Representa- several months - tives, Dr. Burhan Al-Shawi, Chief Executive read the open letter Officer of the Communication and Media to the audience Commission, Mr. Muayad Al-Lami, Chairman highlighting the of the Iraqi Journalist Syndicate, and Major five minimum stan- General Qassim Atta, Spokesperson for dards for a quality Baghdad Operational Command. freedom of infor- A full day of activities centered on an open mation law which letter to the government requesting passage include: maximum of a freedom of information law that meets and facilitated dis- From left to right: Muayad Al-Lami, chairman of the Iraqi Journalist Syndicate, Mufid al-Jazairy, MP and head of the Media and Culture commission on the Council of international standards guaranteeing access closure; protection Representatives, and Major General Qassim Atta, spokesperson for Baghdad Opera- to public documents. “Without this law there of whistleblowers; tional Command, view the cartoon section at the event. Photo: UNDP Iraq/2010 is no freedom for journalists in Iraq; this law limited scope of gives the legal basis for the press to be the exceptions; independent appeals mecha- ticipants observed a minute of silence in fourth estate, a true watchdog”, said Ziyad al- nisms; and strong proactive disclosure rules. remembrance of journalists and media work- Ajili, the Head of the Journalism Freedoms ers who lost their lives while performing their In a recorded address, the Special Represen- duties. Observatory, a leading press freedom advo- tative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for cacy group and one of the local organizers Iraq, Ad Melkert, was unequivocal in stating For the first time in Baghdad, bloggers were the UN’s support invited to blog from the event thereby for a law meeting providing a near real-time report of the day’s international stan- activities. “As a blogger and new media dards. “The United professional, this was an important day Nations would be because we met and connected as bloggers very happy to sup- and I created a blog for this international day, port the Iraqi Par- and introduced the event of my country to liament and Iraqi the global community”, said Qais, a blogger organizations to from Kirkuk. make this freedom Celebrating the World Press Freedom Day in of information law Baghdad was made possible through a joint come true. This effort of the UNESCO-Iraq Office, UNAMI, would be my wish UNDP Iraq, international NGOs IREX and the for the year Institute for War and Peace Reporting, and ahead,” said SRSG the Journalism Freedoms Observatory, a Melkert. local NGO. ■ In addition to a number of speak- SRSG Ad Melkert addresses the Journalism community of Iraq on the importance of For more information, visit: Freedom of Information. Photo: UNDP Iraq/2010 ers and two panel discussions, par- http://freepressday.wordpress.com/

Photo Gallery

Bloggers corner. Photojournalism exhibition. Access to Information Panel. Photo: UNDP Iraq/2010 Photo: UNDP Iraq/2010 Photo: UNDP Iraq/2010

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UNHCR Iraq’s shelter programme : The gift of a shiny key

n a remarkable shelter programme, funded by I the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Iraq and implemented by the Danish Refugee Council, 180 Iraqi families in the southern Iraqi province of Missan are now proud homeowners. At a hand- over ceremony this past April, beneficiaries re- ceived a set of keys to their sturdy new homes with many expressing “how a dream has finally come true”. Following the fall of the Saddam regime in 2003, several hundred families returned to Iraq from neighbouring where they had sought refuge during the turbulent years. The Government Workers busy on the construction of a house in Al Kahla district. Photo: UNHCR/2010 of Iraq allocated land to the returning families, but lack of material and financial resources tion programme for pre-2003 refugees, the continuing financial and technical hampered further development. UNHCR under which the Ministry of Displacement assistance of the donor and international Iraq could not assist this particular group and Migration has distributed some 2,000 community. This year, UNHCR is appeal- of former refugees until last year when plots of land to returnees in the south. ing for more than USD500 million for its additional staff were deployed in Basra The refugee agency intends to continue operations helping forcibly displaced amid the improved security situation. its valuable shelter programme, “subject Iraqis inside and outside the country. This Tasked with identifying several vulnerable to availability of funds”, noted Daniel includes some USD264 million for opera- pre-2003 refugees, UNHCR Iraq staff Endres, the refugee agency’s representa- tions in Iraq, much of which will be used enrolled individuals in the shelter pro- tive in Iraq. Mr. Endres further remarked to fund shelter projects to benefit inter- gramme, which resulted in the agency that “UNHCR plans to complete some nally displaced populations and return- funding the construction or rehabilitation 50,000 units this year for formerly dis- ees. ■ of more than 10,000 houses country- placed populations”, thus helping to ease wide. the reintegration of about 300,000 Iraqis. Source: UNHCR Iraq Funding and implementing such impor- For more information, contact: UNHCR Iraq’s work in Missan comple- Maha Sidky: [email protected] ments the Iraqi government’s land alloca- tant development programmes is a chal- lenge that cannot be achieved without

Iraqi lawyers get familiar with international criminal justice

By: Maria Soledad Pazo, UNAMI Human Rights Office o help Iraqi lawyers develop a broad criminal law and fair trial principles in Erbil. All participants viewed this training as an and deeper understanding of what The training focused particularly on the prin- excellent opportunity for their exposure to T qualifies as international crimes along ciples of international humanitarian law, the international law and human rights. “This with the procedural and the evidence-based enforcement of international criminal law, training gave us the opportunity to learn and aspects of international criminal justice in- the elements of core international crimes, hear of experiences from other tribunals on cluding the principles of a fair trial, the standards of fair trial and guidelines for moni- accountability for serious crimes”, said a UNAMI Human Rights Office, in partnership toring criminal trials. female participant. with UK-based NGO Aegis Trust, offered its A senior trial judge of the Iraqi High Tribunal The first of its kind, both the UNAMI Human first international criminal justice training and the Head Prosecutor of the Halabja case Rights Office and Aegis Trust plan to conduct programme for Iraqi lawyers. were invited to the training session to share similar training programmes in other parts of On13 May, eight Iraqi criminal lawyers com- their experiences and the challenges they the country. ■ pleted the five-day training on international faced at various stages of cases they handled.

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 4

Preparations underway for Iraq’s public sector modernization By Sylvia Fletcher, UNDP Iraq

hree decades of conflict and sanctions Scoping; Education Sector Scoping; Water enabling a comprehensive reform and mod- have severely affected the capacity of and Sanitation Sector Scoping; and Manag- ernisation. Similarly, the study on the Tigris T the public sector in Iraq to deliver ing the Tigris-Euphrates Watershed: The and Euphrates Watershed is intended to spell social services to the people. To meet the Challenge facing Iraq. Undertaken by UNDP’s out the issues and options for a holistic ap- population’s needs, Iraqi Government offi- Support to Decentralisation and Local Govern- proach to water management in Iraq. cials, in collaboration with international part- ance programme, the studies were funded ners, have formulated a comprehensive pub- by the Government of Spain under the UN The scoping studies are part of the prepara- lic sector modernisation programme aligned Development Group-Iraq Trust Fund. tory phase for the Public Sector Modernisa- with the National Development Plan and the tion Programme, a newly approved Govern- UN Development Assistance Framework for These five studies provide a broad assess- ment-led programme, which in partnership Iraq (UNDAF). ment of the current legal, policy and strategy with international partners, seeks to under- framework; sector priorities for health, edu- take a comprehensive reform and moderni- On 19-20 May, a technical meeting was held cation, water and sanitation, service delivery; sation process of the public sector. The in Baghdad under the leadership of the Sec- and existing functional, civil service and ex- USD55 million multi-donor Iraq Trust Fund retary General of the Council of Ministers, penditure management processes. The pur- programme is a joint initiative of several UN with senior Iraqi officials and UN representa- pose of the studies is to provide a “road map” entities including UNDP (lead agency), WHO, tives to review five studies: Health Sector with all the broad issues and options for UNICEF, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, together with UNFPA, UNIFEM, UNESCWA and UNOPS. Conducted by the firm Geopolicity, in coordi- nation with UN agencies, and in consultation with other international assistance partners in Iraq, the studies are the outcome of a field- based effort by a group of experts, building on the existing work of Iraqi ministries and government institutions, the World Bank, USAID and UK-DFID. Next steps include finalising the drafts for further consultations with the government of Iraq and international partners. Ultimately, these efforts are aimed at improving the provision of better services to the people of Iraq and a step towards achieving the vision of the National Development Plan. ■

For more information, contact Areej Al-Mustaf, UNDP Technical review meeting of the five Scoping Studies. Photo: UNDP/2010 Iraq, Reporting Associate: [email protected]

National Anti-Corruption Strategy kicks-off By Sylvia Fletcher, UNDP Iraq he Government of Iraq, in coordination includes governors, provincial council mem- anti-corruption culture across all governmen- with the Commission on Integrity bers, high judiciary in the governorates and tal institutions. T (CoI), has completed the training of services sections within governorate munici- Iraq ratified the UN Convention Against 260 expert trainers. The training, a step to- palities. The second group includes all Iraqi Corruption (UN-CAC) in March 2008. This wards promoting good governance, was ministries, while the third group is comprised ratification created a solid framework for conducted on 11 May by a team of 18 of civil society representatives including Iraq’s commitment to combat corruption. In “master trainers” who are from a larger group tribal leaders, heads of religious groups, the this context, the Government of Iraq is train- of 42 professionals from the CoI, the Board of private sector, media and NGOs. ing its officials in preparation for the future Supreme Audit (BSA), the Inspector General The implementation of the Anti-Corruption implementation of the strategy. The Anti- (IG), the Judiciary, Council of Representatives, Strategy follows the March 2010 launch of Corruption Strategy is framed in Iraq’s com- the Shura Council, the Central Bank, acade- Iraq’s first National Anti-Corruption Strategy pliance with the UN-CAC. mia, the media and NGOs. (NACS). The Strategy sets out 201 concrete UNDP and the United Nations Office on Following the training, the CoI, BSA, IGs and action items to combat corruption, including Drugs and Crime both provided technical government ministries, including 40 trainers administrative reform; application of the assistance over the past two years to the Iraqi from NGOs, assigned the 260 experts to principles of the rule of law; improvement of Government for the formulation of the introduce the National Anti-Corruption Strat- the delivery of services; improved manage- Strategy. ■ egy to thousands of government, civil society ment of financial affairs and public assets; and the private sector representatives in all promotion of integrity, transparency and a 18 governorates of Iraq, starting in June human rights culture; and adoption of over- For more information on the anti-corruption measures in Iraq, please visit the bilingual website through December 2010. The 260 trainers sight and accountability procedures. It also of the Commission of Integrity, Government of will be split into three groups: the first emphasizes the importance of building an Iraq , or contact: [email protected] . www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 5

UNESCO discusses assistance in support of Najaf’s important cultural role

By Michael Croft, UNESCO Iraq

Authorities of , staff of the Shrine and UNESCO representatives at the entrance to the Shrine. Photo: UNESCO/2010

n 14 October 2009, the Conference May a UNESCO team undertook a mission to were greatly impressed with the commit- of Islamic Cultural Ministers meeting Najaf to meet with the Governor of Najaf, Mr. ment and enthusiasm of all those they met. O in Baku designated the Iraqi city of Adana Al-Zurfi, the Director-General of the This visit was undertaken within the frame- Najaf as the “Capital of Islamic Culture for Ministry of Culture, Mr. Aqeel Al- Mindalawi work of UNESCO Iraq’s role to assist with the 2012”. As this is the first time an Iraqi City has and other officials to review current planning preservation and rehabilitation of major Iraqi been designated as such, it represents an and discuss the means and areas of joint cultural sites and providing technical assis- important occasion to showcase the city and collaboration. tance to Iraqi counterparts. From the Organi- highlight a side of Iraq that is too often for- In doing so, the team visited key sites in both zation’s perspective, this visit was doubly gotten amidst stories of political turmoil and cities of Najaf and Kufa, such as the Imam Ali important as the Organization fully supports violence. Shrine, Wadi Al-Salam cemetery in Najaf City the vision of Iraq which Najaf 2012 repre- Having been approached by the Ministry of and Muslim Bin Aqeel Shrine, the House of sents; a vision which is representative of both Culture and the Governorate of Najaf to see Imam Ali and the archeological historical site the cooperative spirit of Iraqis and one that how best the Organization could support of Qasaer Al-Imara. It was a welcome oppor- highlights the wealth of the country’s local authorities to host the event, on 26-27 tunity for the UNESCO team members who cultural heritage. ■

UN in Action UNHCR • UNHCR organized a joint mission to Diyala urged the local authorities to find a solu- • To respond to the Basra attacks in which to follow up on the “Diyala initiative” tion to the problem of land ownership. 27 people were killed and 220 were aimed to encourage displaced families to • UNHCR’s six Return Integration Commu- wounded, the UNAMI Development and return and develop their communities. nity Centers in Baghdad finalized the as- Humanitarian section coordinated the Representatives from UNHCR, FAO, IOM, sessment of 116 Internally Displaced Per- humanitarian response provided by a UNDP, UNU, UNICEF, WFP, WHO and US sons (IDPs) squatter settlements in Bagh- number of UN agencies. UNHCR provided Government officials met with Iraqi offi- dad where some 260,000 vulnerable IDPs emergency relief items to the affected cials and discussed obstacles preventing reside. families while UNICEF and IOM provided people from returning to Diyala. They assistance to hospitals. ►

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UNICEF WFP UNDP • UNICEF organized a Child-Friendly School • WFP launched a Cash-for-Work pilot activ- • UNDP took the lead in organizing the Al- Training of Trainers workshop in coopera- ity in Diyala governorate to facilitate the Anbar Reconstruction and Development tion with the Ministry of Education in Erbil return process and improve food security Workshop which was attended by the with participants from UN agencies, gov- as part of the inter-agency response to Deputy Minister of Planning and Develop- ernment officials, local NGOs. The training support the resettlement of returnees in ment Cooperation, the Al-Anbar Governor aimed to provide the participants with this region. and the Chairman of Al-Anbar Governorate information on this initiative in 21 selected Council. The workshop included a presen- • To improve access to primary health care schools in eight governorates. UNESCO, tation on the Al-Anbar Development services and reduce and stabilize chronic ESCWA, UNFPA and the UNAMI Human Agenda and the launch of the Private Sec- and acute malnutrition among pregnant Rights Office held the first Task Force tor Development Programme - a joint pro- and lactating women and malnourished meeting on “Promoting civic values and gramme of seven UN Agencies which will children under five, WFP provided food life skills through education for adoles- offer assistance within the Economic COM- assistance to 2,580 pregnant and lactating cents” project. PACT for an Al-Anbar Framework to estab- women, 76,190 malnourished children lish business development services, review • UNICEF supported the replacement of 300 and their families and 236 TB patients. infrastructure rehabilitation, support busi- water tanks in Suleimaniyah within the ness expansion and training as well as vicinity of rehabilitated schools thereby provide micro-lending. The other initiative completing the replacement of a total of WHO was the Water and Sanitation Master Plan 900 water tanks. The project is aimed at • WHO, in coordination with the Ministry of in Al-Anbar where UN agencies will assist improving water quality and quantity at Health, statistics offices and UN partner the governorate to address access to pota- the selected schools. About 150,000 chil- agencies (UNICEF, WFP and FAO) held the ble water and a response for waste water dren will benefit from the project. first consultation meeting of the steering and solid waste. ■ • UNICEF conducted a technical mission to committee to launch the implementation Kirkuk to discuss child protection issues in of the UN Development Group-Iraq Trust the governorate and explore prospects of Fund “Addressing Micronutrient Deficien- UNAMI Newsletter creating a protective environment for cies in Iraq: Assessment and Response”. is published monthly by the UNAMI Public Information Office. children in Kirkuk. During this visit, the Members of the steering committee agreed on a detailed budget and work Contents do not necessarily reflect the delegation met with the Governor of official position of the UN or that of UNAMI. Kirkuk and Chairman of Kirkuk’s Provincial plan as well as on the role of partners and Articles may be freely reproduced, with Council. UNICEF reiterated its support to stakeholders and tools required for pro- credit to UNAMI Newsletter . make Kirkuk a child-friendly city, a model gramme implementation. that can be replicated in cities throughout For comments and suggestions, contact the country. [email protected] .

Chief PIO / Spokesperson: Radhia Achouri Deputy Chief PIO / Spokesperson: Eliana Nabaa Head of Publications: Aicha Elbasri Editor: Randa Jamal Editor: Laila Shamji Graphic Designer: Salar A. Brifkani

Local and International press covering the World Press Freedom Day in Baghdad. Photo: UNDP/2010

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