The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Mohammed Al Hassan, made a final briefing to members of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (MANUI) is preparing to conclude his term on December 31 after more than two decades of service.
“Today, indeed, is a great day for the international community and the United Nations to witness the honorable and dignified closure of a UN mission,” he said.
Victory and sacrifice
UNAMI was established by the Council in 2003. At the time, the country “was grappling with the effects of decades of dictatorship, regional wars, internal conflicts, foreign occupation and Daesh terror,” he recalled.
“The path to peace, security and stability has been long and difficult. However, with the support of the international community, Iraq emerged victorious, but at the cost of countless sacrifices,” he said.
He took the opportunity to honor the memory of all those who have lost their lives since the start of UNAMI operations, including the 22 UN personnel killed in the Canal Hotel bombing in August 2003 – one of the darkest days in the organization’s history.
Hard-earned gains
Mr Al Hassan said he and his predecessors had been struck by the resilience and determination of Iraq and its people as they worked to build a more secure and prosperous future.
“From adopting a new Constitution to strengthening and consolidating democracy through 13 successful electoral processes, Iraq has been able to gradually consolidate hard-won gains, against all odds,” he said.
Last month, Iraq held its sixth parliamentary elections and the process was marked by a notable increase in the turnout of registered voters, to 56 percent. The vote was also one of the freest, most orderly and most credible polls ever held to date.
He commended the Iraqi people, the Independent High Electoral Commission and UNAMI, which provided electoral assistance.
“I can hardly think of a more fitting final chapter to UNAMI’s activities than the scenes I and my team witnessed at polling stations across the country, as Iraqis from diverse backgrounds lined up in orderly lines, eager to vote,” he said.
“While I express confidence that Iraq will continue to build on this strong electoral base, I fervently hope that a new government will be formed without delay. »
He also noted that the formation of a new government in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region “remains on hold” after more than a year of lengthy negotiations.
Internal displacements, repatriations from Syria
Furthermore, although Iraq has overcome successive conflicts on the path to stability, the lasting effects have given rise to urgent and persistent humanitarian needs. Around a million people remain internally displaced, including more than 100,000, the majority Yazidis from Sinjar.
The minority community has endured immense suffering at the hands of the terrorist group Daesh, also known as ISIL, and its members still live in internally displaced persons camps.
Mr. Hassan highlighted Iraq’s commendable leadership in launching a concerted effort earlier this year to accelerate the repatriation of nationals from northeast Syria.
Tens of thousands of people from various countries with suspected or real links to Daesh remain detained in camps across the region.
He said that to date, approximately 20,800 people have returned to Iraq.
“As returns continue, with the latest taking place yesterday, it remains essential that adequate resources are dedicated to ensuring dignified and sustainable reintegration, including reliable access to basic services, livelihoods and community-level support,” he said.
Human rights challenges
The envoy also congratulated Iraq on its election as a UN member. Human Rights Councilwhich, he said, comes with a corresponding responsibility to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights.
In this regard, he highlighted the many challenges that remain to be addressed, “in particular to guarantee the full protection and exercise of the rights of minorities, women and young people, and to continue to defend freedom of expression as a cornerstone of open public dialogue in a strong democratic society.”
Concluding his speech, Mr. Hassan affirmed that “the departure of UNAMI does not mark the end of the Iraq-UN partnership. Rather, it represents the beginning of a new chapter rooted in Iraq’s leadership over its own future.”
The United Nations will continue to support Iraq in building on its hard-won gains, providing technical expertise, advice and support, he said.
“I wish to reaffirm my full confidence in the resilience of the Iraqi people and in the determination of their leaders to meet all the challenges that lie ahead, as they have done so commendably over the past 20 years,” he added.
“I call on them to strive to build bridges of trust and friendship, promote common interests with all neighboring countries and regain the glory of Iraq as the cradle of civilization.”
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
