The Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, received today, Sunday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Volker Türk, and his accompanying delegation, which included the head of the Asia, Pacific, Middle East and North Africa department in the Commission, Francisco Mota, and a Spokeswoman for UNHCR’s Ravina Shamdasani, as well as the Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Plasschaert.
During the meeting, according to a statement by his office, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the visit, which he considered a message of support for all Iraqis, and an encouragement to continue working to ensure human rights, as it represents the first visit of a High Commissioner for Human Rights to Iraq.
He indicated that the Iraqis suffered a lot of ordeals during the days of the dictatorial regime, which makes them more qualified than others to respect human rights, referring to the Council of Ministers’ approval of the draft law on combating enforced disappearance, which is now in the House of Representatives for the purpose of voting.
Al-Sudani expressed Iraq’s appreciation for the efforts of the High Commissioner in condemning the repeated assault on the sanctity of the Holy Qur’an, which intersects with the concept of freedom of opinion and expression, and is a form of transgression and contempt of religions and an attempt to sow discord.
He also stressed that the government has made great progress in the field of women’s rights, whether in Parliament, where they represent 28%, or through its assumption of 3 ministries, one of which is sovereign.
For his part, Türk said that the timing of his visit came at a sensitive time. The fact that Iraq is one of the countries most affected by climate change in order to help meet this challenge within the framework of economic, social and cultural rights, expressing his appreciation for the position of the Prime Minister in cooperation and facilitating the work of the UNHCR office in Iraq, stressing that Iraq is a diverse country in its components, and this is a factor of strength for it over the years History, calling for work to strengthen the national dialogue and reveal the missing and the absent in all crises.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency