IRAQ

Miscellaneous Correspondence

CEDAW A/58/38 (2003)

Chapter VI Ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee

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Letter with regard to the situation of women in post-war Iraq

458.     The Committee decided to send a letter to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the need to take into consideration the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women with regard to the situation of women in post-war Iraq (see annex VII).

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Annex VII

Letter addressed to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and High Commissioner for Human Rights

18 July 2003

Dear Mr. Vieira de Mello,

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, during its twenty-ninth session held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 30 June to 18 July 2003, noted with concern the situation of women in Iraq. As in all war situations, in Iraq too, women are particularly impacted by the adverse effects of conflict.

The Committee noted the fact that, since Iraq is a State party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, all post-war activities, including the new Constitution of Iraq and the legislative framework, must be drawn up in full conformity with the provisions of the Convention in order to ensure de jure and de facto equality between women and men in all spheres of life in Iraq.

In this connection, the Committee wishes to emphasize that during the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction in Iraq it must be ensured by the administration-in-charge and all bodies, including United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations involved in the process that, as an urgent priority, the physical and psychological security of women are fully protected, gender issues are duly addressed and action is taken to promote equal participation of women in administrative structures and rebuilding activities in the country at all levels.

The Committee urges you, in your capacity as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and as High Commissioner for Human Rights, to ensure that the responsible authorities, including the transitional administration, take all necessary measures for implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in order to allow Iraqi women the full enjoyment of all rights set forth in the Convention.

Yours sincerely,

Feride Acar

Chairperson

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq

High Commissioner for Human Rights

c/o UNAMI, New York Office

Fax No.: 917 367 5115