UNAMI Newsletter United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq 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 Najaf’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 Iraqis 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.