Security Ministry Officials Discuss Human Rights Issues in Iraq
BAGHDAD – Officials from the Iraqi Ministries of Defense and Interior, and the Counter Terrorism Center discussed human rights issues and teaching methods at the day-long “Human Rights Teachers Conference” held at the Ministerial Training and Development Center May 27.
The conference was designed to facilitate a sharing of information and greater collaboration among those officials charged with human rights related training within security ministries and organizations. The participants discussed strategies for promoting a human rights culture, approaches to teaching, legal issues, research and development, case studies, and human rights priorities at the MoD.
Particular emphasis was given to the legal foundation of human rights in Iraq such as Executive Order 207. It regulates, for example, family visitation rights and family notifications when a person is detained.
“All personnel involved with detainee operations need to be familiar with the order so they can enforce
The forum also provided participants with a chance to discuss ways to provide human rights education to government officials.
One proposal argued that it is best to focus on individuals who work closely with detainees such as wardens, criminal investigators and commanders. Increasing awareness for human rights at this level could have a quick impact according to this proposal.
Another proposal advocated that good human rights practices could save the lives of security personnel during military or detention operations.
Iraqi Army Staff Brig. Gen. Moaid Al Beati from the Center for Military Values, Principles and Leadership Development, said that he attended the conference to learn more about human rights so that the center can instill good principals in Iraqi soldiers.
The center employs a ‘train-the-trainer’ approach to disseminate critical knowledge and values down to the battalion level. The aim is to expose security personnel to best human rights practices and improve their interaction with Iraq’s citizens. As security operations are often joint efforts, it is important that the MoD, MoI and the CTC share common values and professional standards.
Over the next three months, various proposals will be studied and surveys will be conducted after which the course participants will reconvene and recommend the best course of action for teaching human rights in Iraq, according to Iman.