IRAQ

Miscellaneous Statements

CEDAW A/59/38 part I (2004)

Decision 30/III

Statement of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the situation of women in Iraq

The Committee adopted a statement on the situation of women in Iraq (see annex II to the present report).

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Annex II

Statement by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the situation of women in Iraq

            The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, during its thirtieth session, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 12 to 30 January 2004, noted with concern recent developments with regard to the situation of women’s human rights in Iraq. In particular, the Committee noted a decision by the Governing Council of Iraq dated 29 December 2003 to repeal existing civil statutes governing issues related to marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance.

            The Committee notes the fact that Iraq is a State party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. In this regard, the Committee, at its twenty-ninth session, held from 30 June to 18 July 2003, had already sent a letter to the then Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the late Sergio Vieira de Mello, on the need to take into consideration the Convention with regard to the situation of women in post-war Iraq.

            The Committee welcomes the resolve of the international community to assist Iraq in the reconstruction process. The Committee calls upon all parties concerned to place special emphasis in all their actions and activities on the respect for and protection of international human rights standards and norms, in particular those that specifically guarantee the rights of women and girls, and which are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. The Committee considers such emphasis essential to the development of Iraqi society.

            The Committee wishes to emphasize that women must be full and equal participants in all post-war reconstruction activities and in all spheres of life of Iraqi society and its development, and in particular in the drafting of Iraq’s new Constitution and any revision of its legislative framework. All legislative reforms and decisions of all responsible authorities in Iraq must conform fully with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women so as to ensure de jure and de facto equality between women and men, and their full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

            The Committee calls on the international community and all responsible authorities in Iraq to ensure full compliance with and implementation of all the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

CEDAW A/59/38 part II (2004)

Annex XI

Statement on the situation of women in Iraq

Addressed to the Iraqi Interim Government

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, during its thirty-first session, from 6 to 23 July 2004, took note of recent developments in Iraq, in particular the formation of the Iraqi Interim Government working towards the reconstruction of the country and ensuring the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people on the basis of equality of women and men.

As Iraq is a State party to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the Committee has, on previous occasions, expressed concern about the situation of women in Iraq during the war.

The Committee now urges the Interim Government to do its utmost to ensure equal participation of women in the reconstruction process and full compliance with all provisions of the Convention in the development of the Iraqi society. The Committee urges the Interim Government to ensure that, as it prepares for elections, article 7 of the Convention be fully adhered to so that women can exercise their right to vote and to stand for election, on a basis of equality with men. In the same vein, the Committee urges the Interim Government to ensure that the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination of women, as they are enshrined in the Convention, are fully reflected in the entire legal framework of the country, including in the family and personal status laws. The Committee further emphasizes the urgent need to take special measures to rehabilitate and reintegrate women and children victims of war.

The Committee calls on the Interim Government of Iraq to ensure that full attention is given to the Committee’s concerns and to the country’s obligations as a State party to the Convention.

CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005)

Decision 33/II

The Committee adopted a statement on the situation of women in Iraq (see annex X to part two of the present report).

Annex X

Statement by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the situation of women in Iraq

1.         The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, during its thirty-third session, held from 5 to 22 July 2005, took note of the preparation of a draft of a new Constitution for Iraq.

2.         As Iraq has been a State party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women since 1986, the Committee has, on previous occasions, expressed concern about the situation of women in Iraq and has called on the interim Government to do its utmost to ensure equal participation of women in the reconstruction process and full compliance with all provisions of the Convention in the development of Iraqi society.

3.         The Committee now urges the Government of Iraq to ensure that the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination, as they are enshrined in the Convention, are fully reflected in the new Constitution of Iraq which will become the basis for the entire legal framework of the country, including the family and personal status laws. The Committee further emphasizes once again the urgent need to take special measures to rehabilitate and reintegrate women and children victims of war.

4.         The Committee calls on the Government of Iraq to ensure that full attention is given to the Committee's concerns and to the country's obligations as a State party to the Convention.