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Human Rights Training
Humanitarian Law Training
Iraqi Higher Tribunal Training
Universal Legal Framework against Terrorism
Iraqi Bar Website Training

Human Rights Training

The HRI successfully completed a two-year training programme funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), for Iraqi lawyers, judges and prosecutors in international human rights law. The training programmes were based on the UN/IBA manual Human Rights in the Administration of Justice and constitutes the longest running human rights programme for Iraqi jurists.

The training is comprised of a five day intensive practical training course in international human rights law for judges, prosecutors and lawyers and contains a train-the-trainers programme intended to enhance Iraq’s ability to provide education in international human rights law domestically.

Eleven lawyers were interviewed and selected to participate in an intensive train-the-trainers programme to assist Iraqi jurists with the running of domestic training programmes. This cadre of lawyers has successfully participated in three dedicated 'train-the-trainers' courses and have subsequently led training sessions of their own in Baghdad.

With funding from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, this programme has been greatly enhanced by a UK Study Tour organised for the 11 Iraqi trainers in February 2006. The purpose of the tour was to provide the opportunity for trainers to observe different aspects of the administration of justice in Britain and to share experiences with both government and non-government actors.

The trainers met with representatives from all sectors of the human rights constituency in the UK, including governments, regulators, NGOs, lawyers, judges, and the prison service. The group also spent time in Belfast and Edinburgh where activities included visits to the Equality Commission of Northern Ireland and to the Scottish Parliament.

The Iraqi trainers were presented with gifts on their departure to facilitate future training. These included law books, training manuals and office equipment.

To view the Arabic Version of the UN/IBA training manual for judges, lawyers and prosecutors: Human Rights in the Administration of Justice, please click here.
 
Humanitarian Law Training

Since July 2004, the HRI has been carrying out legal training in the field of international humanitarian law funded by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is a continuation of our training programme to support Iraqi judges, lawyers and prosecutors in the area of international humanitarian law.

The programme covers 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 training is aimed at those judges and prosecutors who may, in due course, be involved in the conduct of trials of people charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide under international criminal law in Iraq’s criminal courts.

Iraqi Higher Tribunal Training 

High-ranking judges and prosecutors from the Iraqi Higher Tribunal (IHT) received training from the HRI in international criminal law and war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.  The first training for judges was held in February 2005, followed by a second for prosecutors in March. Both training programmes were funded by the British and Australian governments. 
 
The IHT is part of the Iraqi Criminal Justice sector. It was set up to bring to trial those, including Saddam Hussein, who are accused of crimes against humanity, genocide and other serious crimes in Iraq. Some preliminary hearings took place in 2004 and trials began in October 2005.
 
The training consisted of discussion groups and trial scenarios and used filmed footage designed to demonstrate how international criminal tribunals work.  It gave the Iraqi jurists the opportunity to have direct and detailed conversations with distinguished judges and prosecutors involved in earlier trials, such as at the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and in East Timor. Subjects under discussion included international criminal offences such as war crimes; the applicability of international criminal law in a civil law jurisdiction; the rights of the accused; and procedural issues such as the taking of evidence, approaches to questioning, use of experts, writing judgments and sentencing.

The HRI brought in experienced international lawyers from around the world to work with the Iraqi judges and prosecutors. The training comprised of a combination of plenary and breakout sessions all of which offered plenty of opportunity for debate.  

Universal Legal Framework against Terrorism

The IBA has been working with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), via the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC), to organise a training workshop on the Universal Legal Framework against Terrorism and its application. The training took place at the beginning of December and approximately 30 Iraqi criminal justice officials were in attendance. This was the first time the IBA had worked with UNODC and after the success of the workshop they are keen to embark on other projects with the IBA.

Iraqi Bar Website Training

The IBA has assisted in the development of a website for the Iraqi Bar to be launched later this year. This will strengthen its ability to communicate with its members as well as link civil society and other actors in the justice sector.

Two IT representatives from the Iraqi Bar Association visited London in May 2005 to discuss the design and layout of the website. The IBA has been working with them to develop the website and the Iraqis will return to London later in the year for training on how to update and manage the site.

For further information contact hri@int-bar.org

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