ReliefWeb

Baghdad, 12 July, 2005 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG) Mr. Ashraf Qazi co-chaired a round-table on justice reform today, at the Al-Rasheed Hotel. Some 40 people attended, among those, representatives from the donor community and a delegation of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

UN Security Council resolution 1546, asks UNAMI to promote judicial and legal reform in order to strengthen the rule of law in Iraq. The SRSG recalled: "that strengthening the rule of law was vital to restore public order and respect for human rights in Iraq". He also emphasized that as Iraq was facing a period of transition, the International Community should stand ready to assist.

The goal of this round-table was to examine the current needs of the Ministry of Justice and to determine how to best meet them. A special emphasis was given on the current situation of correctional facilities, juvenile justice and on the judicial institute. A constructive discussion emerged between the participants and further exchange between the Ministry, UNAMI and the donor community will follow.

For further information, please call UNAMI Information Office at: +39 08 3123 2642, Via HQ NY: + 1917 3673614 Ext. 2642; or contact Makdiss@un.org or elbasri@un.org; or visit UNAMI's website: www.unirq.org