Assistance Mission for (UNAMI)

UNAMI FOCUS

Voice of the Mission

News Bulletin on UNAMI’s Updates & Activities Fourth Issue Mid October 2007

David Shearer, Amman 27 September 2007 The SG Hosted a Farewell Dinner/Iftar for Iraqi Government Officials and International Diplomats UNAMI Focus Interviews Incoming SRSG’s Farewell: My UNAMI Family SRSG Ashraf Qazi, with Guests, Baghdad 1 DSRSG, David Shearer October 2007 UNAMI Focus: Can you give UNAMI When I was named Special Representative of Focus readers a brief synopsis on both your the Secretary General for Iraq, I accepted the personal and professional background? And appointment with great honor, fully aware of how do you feel about your new position? Iraq’s complexities and the type of challenges Farewell Iftar / Dinner that lay ahead. I knew that achieving David Shearer (D.S): I am a New Zealander, I grew up there and I am married UNAMI’s goals would be daunting, and Before his departure to his new assignment in to a New Zealander. We have two children, would require unrelenting determination and , the Special Representative of the age 10 and 9, a boy and girl. I have been perseverance. Above all, I knew that Secretary General, Ambassador Ashraf Qazi, UNAMI’s challenging tasks can only be involved in various humanitarian and aid hosted an Iftar Dinner for Iraqi Government activities for over 20 years starting with achieved with the right team. You have been officials and international diplomats at his NGOs working in Sri-Lanka, Iraq - North of that exceptional team; professional, dedicated residence in the International Zone in Iraq -, Somalia, Rwanda and then later with and principled. Baghdad. During this event, held on Monday the UN and other organizations in Rwanda, 1 October 2007, few farewell speeches were Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kosovo, . As I leave, a part of me will always remain conveyed expressing gratitude and So a lot of it has been specialized around the with you. My three years with UNAMI will appreciation for the positive role Ambassador area of conflict and post conflict. I also spent remain unforgettable, and perhaps the most Qazi exemplified during his United Nations compelling experience of my life. The some time in London including a couple of assignment in Iraq that lasted over two years. years at the International Institute of Strategic bonding and friendships I made within Studies, focusing on conflict resolution UNAMI’s unique spirit are difficult to issues. Then, I went back to New Zealand for replace. a while where I was involved in politics as I also leave satisfied knowing that your new the political advisor to the New Zealand Foreign Minister. SRSG, my colleague and friend, , is exceptionally capable and INDEX: So coming here for me is in a sense a knowledgeable with all issues related to Iraq. combination of the various aspects of my With your support, his choice to lead - SRSG Farewell 1 career. This job is enormously challenging in UNAMI at this critical juncture is certain to - Incoming DSRSG 1&2 many ways, it is the cutting edge perhaps enhance the Mission’s prospects for meeting -Launch of Human Rights Report 2 where aid, humanitarian work and state its obligations and UN commitments to Iraq -Human Rights Update 2 building converges, in an extremely difficult as called for in the new mandate under - Political Affairs Update 4 operating - probably the most challenging UNSCR 1770. - Constitutional Support Update 3 place in the world. That challenge, was really one of the motivating factors for me applying Farewell for now my colleagues. I wish all - Humanitarian, Reconstruction. & for this job and I was extremely happy to be the best and stay safe. Development. Activities 3 given the opportunity to take it. - Electoral Update 3&4

UNAMI Focus: What do you hope to - Brief from PIO 4 ***** achieve by taking up this position? - Fiji Guard-Rugby Game 4

D.S: Well, the component of the UN’s work under my leadership is really about 1 rebuilding and developing Iraq and (continued Page 2) Interview with David Shearer (continued) UNAMI Focus: A majority of UN agencies UNAMI Launches its 11th Report on are based in Amman; isn’t there a need and/or Human Rights in Iraq supporting Iraqis doing that. I realize that my plans to change that situation? part has also to fit with the other side of the On 11 October 2007, the Human Rights political negotiations and particularly the D.S.: With the adoption of SRC 1770, we now Office launched its eleventh report on the reconciliation. So I will be looking to have an opportunity to expand our presence on situation of human rights in the country support, as much as I can, Staffan de Mistura, the ground, as well as to increase the number of covering the period from 1 April to 30 June the new Special Representative for the for the UN personnel in Baghdad. It is not a massive 2007. The report recognizes the challenges Secretary General, and try to do what I can change, but it is quite clear to me that unless we confronting the Government of Iraq in the from my side to bring in the considerable do have people, substantive staff on the ground face of ongoing violence and an ever- capacities and expertise the UN has, to assist working with the ministries, working with the deepening humanitarian crisis. in that way. Ultimately, now with the new Iraqi government, we are not going to be able to Security Council Resolution 1770, the UN develop the relationships that will enable us to For further information on the 11th Human Rights has been given a wider mandate and a greater improve the situation in other parts of Iraq. Report, please visit www.uniraq.org responsibility than that it had before. I believe we have the capabilities within the I think we need to be looking, as we have done, Human Rights Update UN to make a real difference and that is what at creative ways in which we can be present and I want to do – make a real difference. engage with the Iraqi authorities in a much UNAMI Human Rights Office (UNAMI better way. They certainly want that, and I HRO) continued its monitoring and UNAMI Focus: In light of UN SCR would like to try meeting their wishes. That of protection activities in its offices in Erbil, 1770’s call for an expanded UN role, what is course has to come within the context of the Amman and Baghdad, meeting victims and your vision for the mission regarding security environment; we have to be careful in witnesses of human rights violations, human humanitarian assistance? monitoring that as well. But I think we need to rights organizations and activists and examine the possibilities of closer engagement government and MNF officials. UNAMI much closer. This is one of the things I will be D.S.: The humanitarian situation seems to HRO visited a number of prisons and looking into in Baghdad: to maximizing our have got worst in some areas of Iraq and calls detention centers by the Iraqi Ministry of impact, and at the same time minimizing our for an accelerated response from the UN and Defense and the Ministry of Justice, as well risk in light of SCR 1770. other humanitarian partners. At the same time as those under the authority of the Kurdish the relief response needs to be coherent with Regional Government. In discussions with development and rehabilitation aims. I was UNAMI Focus: How critical in your view is the Ministry of Interior, UNAMI HRO is struck in the last three weeks with the the Iraqi refugees’ issue, and conversely, what checking on the possibility to visit the outbreak of cholera in the north of Iraq and are the critical priorities for the UN in this Ministry’s facilities in near future. the surrounding of Sulaimaniyah in regard? particular. We responded very quickly In order to address immediate needs in through the World Health Organization D.S.: The situation of Iraqi refugees is capacity building of Iraqi government and (WHO), to support the local authorities with extremely important because it is affecting the state officials, UNAMI HRO continued to equipment and advice to combat the cholera. stability in the whole region including organize various activities in Amman, So that was a humanitarian response, but the particularly in Jordan and , who are Baghdad and Erbil. In June 2007, a cholera itself was a result of the breaking bearing the grunt of these refugees coming over transitional justice workshop took place in down of water networks, and water networks the border. Amman discussing the reparations in conflict need to be fixed and that is more a and post-conflict environments. The rehabilitation type of activity, – something workshop, co-organized and implemented the UNDP was looking at over the course of I think that there has been certainly an increase with the assistance of the New York-based the last three weeks. So we have to make sure in the UN’s role over the last 6 or 7 months, International Center for Transitional Justice that when there is a problem on such issues, particularly from UNHCR in doing this, but and UNOPS, aimed to engage a large number we provide an appropriate assistance both ultimately it is the root cause of the problem of parliamentarians, NGOs and other immediate and short term assistance, but also that is to be found inside Iraq itself. These stakeholders in discussing relevant concepts we follow up with the long term type of people are only fleeing Iraq because of the of transitional justice and, in the process, assistance and advice to create durable situation inside Iraq and for us, our primary outlining necessary steps to move forward. solutions and not just a one-off response.. focus needs to be at the cause of the problem, which is to drive the reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts inside Iraq. On 3-4 June, UNAMI HRO organized a two- UNAMI Focus: Do you think that a more day workshop to discuss and review the draft robust UN humanitarian assistance to Iraqis Publications Law in Erbil. A specialized would help augment reconciliation efforts in UNAMI Focus: During a high level meeting training course on international mechanisms the country? in New-York, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that "Iraq has become the whole world's for the protection of the rights of prisoners and detainees was held between 17 and 21 problem”. Was that the message he conveyed to D.S.: I definitely think so, and I think Iraqi you during your meeting with him? October in Amman. The course will be people obviously need to feel secure, not only attended by corrections officials of the physically, from a security point of view, but Kurdish Regional Government also to feel secure from the point of view of D.S.: The Secretary General was very the facilities they need, hospitals, schools, concerned about what was happening in Iraq In early September, UNAMI HRO hosted a power supply, water, all of those things, and he conveyed that very strongly. He felt – second Training of Trainers in Amman on which are at the heart of life.So, I don’t see and I was quite struck by this – that in adopting international human rights law. Participants these two things easily separated. When you Security Council Resolution 1770, the UN had included officials from the Iraqi Ministry of join work on rehabilitation n, you have to to step up towards an increased involvement in Human Rights. Other activities centered involve communities, leaders, government, the various aspects of Iraq’s reconciliation and around the Rule of Law Coordination and local government in doing that. And that development. Not only because of SCR 1770, Working Groups in Baghdad, providing an process feeds into the reconciliation as well. but also – and he communicated this quite opportunity to the Ministries of Defense, So from the humanitarian and development movingly – because it is the right thing to do. I Human Rights, Interior and Justice to brief side we need to stay closely linked to my sensed he feels personally that the UN should the international community and to request colleagues in the political side. Both are be increasing its participation. That was the their support as appropriate. inseparable and we have to make sure that very clear message he conveyed to me before I each of our activities supports the other. came here. 2 *****

Office of Constitutional Support Update countries and NGOs during the period of ownership through a greater role in May – September 2007. management and the project approval The Office of Constitutional Support (OCS) process. has provided written commentary to the To spark greater public attention to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) on humanitarian situation, UNAMI together Following the bombings of Sinjar, UNAMI the draft report they submitted to the Iraqi with UNHCR, assisted the Government to Erbil coordinated humanitarian efforts with Council of Representatives (CoR) on 23 May organize the first coordination meeting the UN Agencies, NGOs, the Iraqi Red 2007. OCS also continued to monitor the chaired by the Minister of Displacement and Crescent Organization and Kurdistan regional constitutional review process and engaged Refugees in July 2007. authorities to assist the victims. UN Agencies with key members of the CRC, the CoR and have combined their resources to deliver political blocs, as well as with international As part of the development of the Joint immediate humanitarian assistance to interlocutors. The CoR subsequently Operations Plan for Humanitarian Action in affected families, while the SRSG has paid a extended the timeline for submission of the visit to the area to discuss durable solutions. Iraq, under the guidance of the DSRSG CRC’s final report, first to 23 June, then after Fakhouri, OCHA-facilitated a two-day the summer recess (4 September), and, most workshop on 4-5 June 2007 in Amman, Since August, the United Nations together recently, to the end of December 2007. Jordan. Focal points representing IASC with the Government of Iraq have combined During the extended review period, OCS agencies and selected NGO partners, resources to contain the cholera epidemic. continued to provide advice and support to respectively, began development of this Joint The United Nations Country Team, via WHO the CRC, and its legal drafters, on the Operations Plan. The operational plan was coordination, is providing technical support technical aspects of the amendments designed as a cohesive and inclusive to Iraq in the form of water quality control proposed by the Committee. Moreover, OCS instrument containing specific components of and treatment and strengthening surveillance met with representatives from the priority, needs-based and life-saving capacity within the Ministry of health. international community in order to humanitarian interventions. coordinate engagement strategies and substantive advice for the Committee. The United Nations Country Team has held a UNAMI was involved in the first meeting of retreat on 23-24 September 2007 for the the neighboring countries on Iraqi refugees reformulation of its assistance strategy 2008- In addition to this, in late August, the high- through support to the Ministry of Foreign 2010 for Iraq. The intention is to align level meeting held between Iraqi President Affairs in the preparation of the event. The strategic priorities with the National Jalal Talabani, Vice-Presidents Al-Mahdi and meeting looked at ways to ease the burden of Development Strategy and the International Al-Hashemi, Prime Minister Al-Maliki and countries that are hosting more than 2.3 Compact with Iraq. Recommendations were Kurdistan Region President Barzani, million Iraqis. The participants included made to enhance the coordination process generated a top-level agreement on representatives from Iraq, Syria, Egypt, the through the cluster system and to expand legislation relating to the formation of a Arab League and UN agencies. The U.S., general UN presence in Iraq and particularly higher commission for “accountability and Turkey, Iran, Russia, Japan and the UN acts within Governorates, where security permits. justice,” to replace the draft deba’athification as an observer and moderator between the law, and on the draft Law on Governorates. host government and Iraq. The DSRSG, Jean-Marie Fakhouri (HC/RC), OCS provided commentary on both the draft laws to the CoR. concluded his assignment with UNAMI on Discussions were engaged with the MNF-I to 30 June 2007. establish a humanitarian civil-military Furthermore, the CoR formally requested the coordination working group (CMCoord). CRC to become involved in the development ***** The purpose of this group would be to of key pieces of constitutionally mandated establish an essential dialogue to support legislation. The CRC’s engagement in this Electoral Update UNAMI humanitarian activities. The draft work would help to ensure that these ToRs for CMCoord Working Group is being legislative proposals remain consistent with The UNAMI electoral team continues to discussed by the MNF-I and UNAMI. This work with the Independent High Electoral the Constitution itself. Furthermore, as OCS follows as response to an important need to already enjoys an established working Commission to ensure it attains a state of harmonize UN Agencies’ civil-military preparedness for future electoral events. One relationship with the CRC, it would be able interaction with the MNF-I, as well as to provide effective advice and assistance of the first tasks of the Board of exploring pathways to interaction with the Commissioners, appointed 8 May, was to under the legislative component of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). process of constitutional implementation, as accept the invitation of the Election mandated in UN Security Council resolution Commission of India to host an orientation 1770. Leading members of the Committee Following the Sharm El Sheikh launch of workshop in New Delhi. Preparations were International Compact with Iraq, the facilitated by UNAMI in close cooperation expressed the need for higher-level political intervention to achieve the desired level of Government has set up the ICI Secretariat, with UNOPS. The well-received workshop consensus, and the extensions were supported by the UN and EC. Working with brought together international electoral subsequently granted with the expectation the World Bank, the HRD Unit assisted the experts and members of the Board to discuss Government of Iraq in the preparation of the important electoral-related issues and develop that they would enable the leadership of the Committee to continue discussions within International Compact with Iraq Mid-Year priorities for the future. and across the political factions. Progress Report which was launched on 16 July in Baghdad and 20 July in New York. UNAMI is also undertaking preparations for The report represents an important milestone the Board to participate in electoral training ***** as the Compact for Iraq is implemented and and observation activities to be hosted, seeks to realize the Government of Iraq’s respectively, by the Republic of South Korea Humanitarian, Reconstruction and National Vision for peace, prosperity and a and Australia. Development Activities new international partnership. Upon their return to Iraq the Board of HRD participated in the IRFFI Facility Commissioners has continued to work While the situation in Iraq remains complex Coordinating Committee (FCC) and Co- closely with UNAMI on a comprehensive and difficult as exemplified by Tal Afar, Chairs meeting in Baghdad on 31 July 2007. capacity building programme. This Diyala and the bombings in Sinjar, there are a The FCC reviewed the revised IRFFI Terms programme, funded through International number of positive initiatives. This update of Reference to be approved during the Reconstruction Fund For Iraq (IRFFI), has includes the efforts and activities of the IRFFI/IRFFO meeting in Bari (Italy) on 28- been developed in conjunction with UNAMI international humanitarian organizations, 29 October 2007; in addition an IRFFI and its partners – including UNDP and agencies of the United Nations, donor Secretariat has been established. The new UNOPS – and the Electoral Commission. IRFFI Terms of References strengthen Iraqi Work to implement identified3 priority activities has included holding workshops for

both the Board and the Electoral

Administration on strategic and operational Political Affairs Update Fiji Guard Activities—Rugby planning, voter registration and other technical areas. The government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki On a Sunday after noon, the experience of a

was faced with a growing challenge as his rugby game between Fiji and South Africa, Building on the previous role UNAMI played in government lost part of its ministers due to the through the lens of the Fijian UN peace makers observing the selection process of the Board of withdrawal of some parties: On 29 June Tawafuq living in the International Zone of Baghdad, was Commissioners, UNAMI was invited to observe suspended participation of its ministers in the cabinet relayed through global media. In an article, the selection of the directors of 19 Governorate to protest the arrest of the Minister of Culture, written by Reuters on 7 October, entitled Rugby Electoral Offices. UNAMI will issue an Muhammad Abdallah al-Hashemi. All six ministers transports small corner of Fiji to Baghdad, observation report on the selection process, and from the bloc, including Deputy Prime Minister David Clark portrayed the experience of more considers the appointment of the directors an Salam al-Zobaie, resigned subsequently on 1 August than 50 Fijian soldiers and security guards essential step in moving the election commission to as their demands, presented on 25 July, were not met. working for United Nations who were watching a state of operational readiness. On 5 August another political party, the Iraqiya List, closely a world cup rugby game between South suspended the participation of its five ministers in the Africa and Fiji. Voter registration is seen by UNAMI as critical for cabinet. All these came in addition to the resignation holding credible and accepted elections in Iraq. of six Sadrist Movement ministers that had taken Clarke quotes some of our Fijian colleagues UNAMI and its partner IFES are advising the place earlier in the year. expressing sentiments of enthusiasm. For Electoral Commission on the steps necessary to example, George Natoga, 32, said "With this convert the recently acquired Public Distribution Following these departures, the Prime Minister game going well it makes us feel happy. It System database, which could form the basis for announced the formation of an alliance on 16 August, makes us feel at home with all these Fijian guys the voter registry for the next election. consisting of his government’s political parties together." Another colleague, Kiniviliame including Dawa and SIIC (both Shia parties) and the Salabogi, 43, said "The game takes us away, Consultations continue with Iraqi stakeholders on PUK and the KDP (both Kurdish parties). This was particularly from the daily duties," and then he fundamental issues such as the electoral system and followed by a further agreement on 26 August among added "We think of our home and families." how to accommodate IDPs in election activities. Prime Minister al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, Considerable challenges remain in preparing for Vice Presidents Adil Abd-al-Mahdi and Tariq al- As optimism continued amongst the UN Fijian future electoral events in Iraq. However UNAMI Hashemi, and Kurdistan Region President Massoud employees, hoping for a breakthrough in the remains ready to advise on the legislative, Barzani on a series of legislative initiatives. The international rugby scene, Osiri said “We’re administrative and executive decisions necessary to leaders agreed to replace the current De- going to win this game, we are going to win, I’m move this process forward. Baathification Law with the Law on the Higher confident”. Slowly, it began to set in that Fiji National Commission for Accountability and Justice was going to loose to South Africa. A sense of ***** and approved the draft ‘Law on Governorates Which disappointment prevailed over the Fijian Brief from PIO Are Not Part of a Region’. soldiers and security guards, however, there is In the past several months, UNAMI’s Public still a strong sense of pride, for Fiji Islands—a Information Office (PIO) continued to inform On 27 August heavy intra-Shiite fighting broke out in small island nation, with a population of less Iraqis, targeted audiences and other stakeholders on Karbala at the height of a religious festival and than a million inhabitants, in the South Pacific the Mission’s various activities, most notably on continued for three days. In the wake of the incident, Ocean east f Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south the cholera outbreak in Northern Iraq and the on 29 August Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Tuvalu—to make it to the international ranks of launch of UNAMI’s 11th Human Rights Report. Sadrist Movement, ordered the Mahdi Army to rugby. It was well put by Jack Komaitai who suspend all activities for six months. The movement said “I was emotional to hear the national In addition to the two major press conferences, the announced its withdrawal from the United Iraqi anthem and when we started playing. Even office continued its daily trilingual monitoring and Alliance (UIA), the majority bloc on 15 September. though we didn’t make it through the quarter updates on developments in Iraq (in Arabic- As a result the UIA lost 32 of its 113 seats. The final, it is the same as Australia and New English-and Kurdish) through regional and Council of Ministers approved the draft Hydrocarbon Zealand.” Komaitai was very proud of the international media news outlets. Through the Framework Law on 3 July while many of its members Rugby players for making it this far. networks and tools available through PIO, all UN were absent because of the Tawafuq boycott and the agencies’ efforts and activities that are undertaken Sadrist resignation. However, the draft law has not collaboratively with UNAMI benefit a great deal been discussed at the Council of Representative so from them. far. Meanwhile, the Kurdistan National Assembly

passed the Kurdistan Region Oil and Gas Law, and As for the developments in Iraq, PIO over the last the Law entered into force upon the approval of several months, has drafted and disseminated Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani on 9 widely over 20 press releases addressing various August. topics. Some of these topics include the SRSG’s condemnation of the most recent attacks on the The Commission for the implementation of Article Holy Shrines of Samarra', the Kirkuk bombings, as 140 relating to Kirkuk and other disputed territories well as the Sinjar bombings in Northern Iraq. In a met on August under its new Chairman Raid Fahmi, separate press release, UNAMI highlighted the the Minister of Science of Technology and a member United Nations coordinated efforts to assist the of the Iraqiya List. victims of the Sinjar bombings. Additionally, UNAMI commended the efforts of the Iraqi Regional / international efforts to improve the UNAMI Focus Constitutional Review Committee, covered the situation in Iraq are underway. On 24 July a new Is an internal bulletin produced SRSGs visits to the Kurdistan region and round of direct U.S.-Iran talks on Iraqi security issues announced the release of the progress report on the was held in Baghdad. A technical meeting was held by the Public Information Office International Compact with Iraq. In terms of on 6 August in Baghdad as a follow-up to the second of the United Nations Assistance national reconciliation, PIO issued press releases round. Consultations focused on the modalities for Mission for Iraq. The opinions on both the SRSG’s call for enhanced establishing a proposed tripartite security reconciliation climate in the country as well as his commission. On 9 September the government of Iraq expressed in this bulletin do not concern over the shelling of Northern Iraq. hosted a second expert-level meeting of neighbouring necessarily reflect those of the countries (Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Saudi With the expansion of the UNAMI’s mission in Arabia). The meeting was also attended by United Nations. line with UNSCR 1770, the PIO envisions to representatives from Egypt and Bahrain, as well as the For further information further its public information role by permanent members of the Security Council, the communicating the mission’s priorities towards Organization of Islamic Conference, the G-8, and the contact e-mail: implementing the broader mandate which includes League of Arab States. [email protected] national reconciliations, regional dialogue, or Randa Jamal, refugees (internal and external) and overcoming Phone + 962 777163853 border disputes in the country. This strategy will also include devising the tools necessary to Extensions: 2644 overcome challenges. Visit our web site www.uniraq.org

***** 4