International Human Rights Law: Training for Iraqi Lawyers
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), with funding from the Swedish government and the UK Department for International Development, has developed a training program for Iraqi lawyers, judges, and prosecutors in order to educate them about international human rights laws. Since 2004, the IBAHRI has held three five-day training courses in which they have used the UN/IBA manual, Human Rights in the Administration of Justice, to educate these legal professionals. After these training sessions, the participants have implemented their own training courses in Iraq. In 2004, the IBA predicted that over 800 people would participate in the training course over the next two years. Along with these courses, the IBAHRI has also trained these professionals in international humanitarian law, international criminal law and war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
According to the IBAHRI, “[These programs cover] a variety of topics including the sources of international criminal law, international criminal law in Iraq, crimes against humanity, genocide, crimes of aggression, war crimes and criminal responsibility and immunity.” The hope for these programs, and subsequent programs as well, is that the lawyers, judges, and prosecutors participating in them will use the knowledge attained on human rights laws and apply it to future cases that they may be involved with in the Iraqi court system. The IBA has also aided in the creation of a website for the Iraqi Bar Association, which will give people easier access to information regarding legal activity in Iraq.
Similar training programs have taken place in Cambodia, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Russia, and Turkey. These initiatives are all positive steps for achieving global justice and human rights.
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