20th Session of the Universal Periodic Review
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As delivered by
Ambassador Keith Harper
U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council
Geneva,
November 3, 2014
The United States warmly welcomes the Iraqi delegation.
The human rights situation in Iraq is dire. ISIL’s widespread atrocities against the Iraqi people and the resulting humanitarian crisis are deplorable. As the Iraqi people and the international community unite against ISIL, the new Iraqi government must bear in mind its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law and to address past violations and abuses.
We commend Iraq for the positive steps that it has taken to improve Human Rights in Iraq, including calling a Special Session of this Council in September, and passing a comprehensive National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.
We recommend that Iraq:
1. Strengthen command and control mechanisms over its military and other security forces and eliminate the presence of militia and other non-governmental armed groups;
2. Implement its recently enacted National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, and in the ongoing conflict with ISIL, take measures to promote the protection of women, including those held captive by ISIL;
3. Reform judicial practices under its antiterrorism law, so that the law cannot be used as a pretext for arrests without warrants and lengthy detentions without trial, in violation of due process rights.