The SCA acknowledges the efforts of the IHCHR to address human rights violations through monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty, including monitoring visits conducted in 2025, receiving complaints, conducting investigations, workshops and seminars on various human rights topics. The IHCHR also reports that as a result of its monitoring, advocacy and follow-ups, camera was installed in the investigation areas of places of deprivation of liberty to combat torture and other human rights violations.

The SCA also notes the explanation of the IHCHR that, with advice from legal experts, Article 4(8) of the law was interpreted to indicate that the IHCHR can prepare and submit an annual report, including the general assessment of the human rights situation, to the Council of Representatives as well as disseminate it through various media. The SCA acknowledges that the IHCHR, following this interpretation and approval of the Minister of Justice, has published its annual reports of 2021, 2022, and 2023 on the website in the absence of a Board of Commissioners and has also submitted an alternative report to the Committee on Enforced Disappearances in 2025.

The SCA is of the view that the interpretation of the IHCHR relative to the responsibility of the Board of Commissioners to prepare and publish reports is not sustainable, as there have been no amendments to the Act. The current administrative arrangements requiring the approval of the Minister of Justice impedes the IHCHR ability to comply with the Paris Principles.

The SCA therefore reiterates its recommendation that the IHCHR continues to advocate for the urgent completion of the appointment of its Board of Commissioners to allow it to independently and publicly issue annual, special, and thematic reports, without the involvement of government. The SCA further recommends that the IHCHR continues to publicize its positions on pertinent human rights issues in order to strengthen the credibility and accessibility of the institution for all people in Iraq.

The SCA refers to Paris Principles A.1, A.2, A.3, and its General Observations 1.2 on ‘Human rights mandate’, and 1.11 on ‘Annual reports of NHRIs’.

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