Aim for human rights and Al-Rahma Network host trainings on disappearances in Iraq

Al-Rahma Network for the Missing and the Disappeared and its members continue their fight against disappearances in Iraq. From 17 to 24 April Marjan Stoffers and Jan de Vries of Aim for human rights’ Linking Solidarity Programme visited Iraq (Erbil) to organise with Al-Rahma Network for the Missing and the Disappeared a series of trainings and a seminar on enforced disappearances in Iraq. These activities further enhanced understanding of the issue, opened dialogue between NGOs, government and parliament and further enhanced the capacities of the network and its members on specific topics related to their daily work on disappearances.

Disappearances in Iraq
Exact numbers remain unknown, but rough estimates indicate more than one million persons disappeared in Iraq, making it the country with the most disappeared in the world. The disappearances stem from different periods, such as the Iran-Iraq war, the First Gulf War, the uprising of the Shi’ites in the South, the Al-Anfal campaign against Kurds in the North, continuous disappearances through oppression of the regime against ‘opponents’ of Saddam Hussein, the war that toppled the regime, the subsequent civil war between different fractions, and continuous disappearances in different parts of Iraq for political reasons. Disappearances still occur at a very regular basis.

A disappearance brings extreme suffering to the direct victim involved, but also to the family of the disappeared. They are left behind without any information, making grieving and getting on with life impossible. Disappearances also leave these families in great socio-economic difficulties, as it is often the breadwinner who disappears, leaving behind a wife and children. The impact of disappearances is enormous on society as a whole, especially with the huge numbers Iraq is dealing with. Addressing these issues thus becomes essential when reconstructing the country.

Building a network
This was Aim for human rights’ third visit in Iraq. The first two visits in July 2007 and December 2007 aimed at supporting the setting up of a national network on disappearances as well as receiving information about the situation in Iraq, in particular with regard to disappearances. After the second visit a national network was set up. It includes 12 independent human rights organisations from all over Iraq, bringing together different ethnic and religious groups to increase its independence and maker sure disappeared from all over Iraq are represented. It was named the Al-Rahma Network for the Missing and the Disappeared. After December 2007 Aim for human rights supported the institutional building of the Network and facilitated a demonstration of family members of the disappeared from all over Iraq in Baghdad on the International Day of the Disappeared (30^th of August 2008). In this third visit during April 2009 a number of activities were organised.

Dialogue between NGOs and state officials
On 19 and 20 April Aim for human rights and Al-Rahma Network hosted a training and seminar for members of the Network, parliamentarians (national and Kirkuk Governerate), government officials (from Prime Ministers’ Office, Human Rights Ministry, and the Ministry for Sports and Youth), different representatives of institutes and committees for missing (martyrs), a judge and a representative of the International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP). There were 30 people in all. This was the first time Iraqi civil society representatives met government officials and parliamentarians on enforced disappearances. After a training introducing the topic, discussions started during the seminar on the second day. The discussions on disappearances in Iraq were constructive and open, while sometimes heated. The NGOs took this opportunity to make clear that they represented a great number of victims of disappearances. These families had given them common messages to convey to government and parliament about their needs. The discussions led to a better understanding of the urgency of the problem. While there are still many steps to be taken, these two days have opened up new dialogue between different groups. Al-Rahma is particularly pleased with the results as it is a step forward in their struggle against disappearances!

Dealing with disappearances of the past and present
The next two days, the 21^st and 22^nd of April, were reserved for training NGOs in the Al-Rahma Network. Aim for human rights showed what steps NGOs can take against enforced disappearances (with an accent on legal actions). The second day of training concentrated on documentation of cases and reporting on enforced disappearances. Much of this work is already been done by the members. However this was a great opportunity to learn more by sharing information and further training by Aim for human rights. The Network also took time to meet in order to discuss further priorities and internal functioning. The members of Al-Rahma all indicated they could use the knowledge in their practical day to day work. They indicated that they felt that as a Network they had evolved since December 2007 and that important steps had been taken during this week.

The work on disappearances in Iraq is a monumental task for anyone. However, we should not forget that civil society in Iraq is new and it is still evolving. Aim for human rights and Al-Rahma Network and its members firmly believe that democratisation and a peaceful Iraq can only be achieved when human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. An independent civil society is instrumental in achieving that goal. Despite all of the dangers, political barriers and differences between different organisations, Al-Rahma Network, together with Aim for human rights, continues to work in its own way towards a democratic and peaceful Iraq… an Iraq that deals with disappearances of the past and present.