Source description last updated: 24 August 2020

In brief: The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), formed in 2003, is a political mission of the United Nations that works to support efforts on national development on humanitarian, electoral and political levels in Iraq.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Reports on human rights, protection of civilians in armed conflict, demonstrations and casualty figures

Covered quarterly on ecoi.net, for Iraq.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

“The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is a political mission established in 2003 by UN Security Council Resolution 1500, at the request of the Government of Iraq. […]

UNAMI’s mandate is to advise and assist the Government and people of Iraq on a number of issues. This includes advancing inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, assisting in the electoral process and in the planning for a national census, facilitating regional dialogue between Iraq and its neighbours, and promoting the protection of human rights and judicial and legal reforms. […]

The mandate also tasks the Mission with working with government partners and civil society to coordinate the humanitarian and development efforts of the UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes. […]

UNAMI is headed by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, who is supported by two deputies. […]

The Mission is administered by the United Nations Department of Political Affairs and supported by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, as well as the Department of Field Support.” (United Nation in Iraq website: UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, undated)

Funding:

UN funds

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Iraq

Thematic focus: political affairs, human rights and justice, security issues, protection of civilians in armed conflict, treatment of protesters, situation of internally displaced persons, education, anti-corruption etc.

Methodology:

UNAMI Reports may be based on interviews with persons of concern, which may be held in a confidential and private manner, in person or over the phone. To assess the credibility/reliability of interviews, accounts from interviewees may be checked as to whether they are internally coherent and consistent as to the material facts (UNAMI: Human Rights Special Report - Demonstrations in Iraq: 3rd update, 23 May 2020: Abductions, torture and enforced disappearances in the context of ongoing demonstrations in Iraq , 23. Mai 2020, p. 3). Further sources of information may be focus group discussions with persons of concern and ‘key informant interviews’ with members of the international community and civil society (see, for example, UNAMI/UN OHCHR: The Right to Education in Iraq: The legacy of ISIL territorial control on access to education, 17 February 2020, p. 5). Reports may also draw on observations of criminal court hearings and meetings with judges, lawyers, prosecutors, families of defendants etc. as well as analysis of legislation and information from other official documents and reports (see, for example, UNAMI/UN OHCHR: Human Rights in the Administration of Justice in Iraq: Trials under the anti-terrorism laws and implications for justice, accountability and social cohesion in the aftermath of ISIL, January, 2020 , 28 January 2020, pp. 1–2).

Language of publication:

English, Arabic, Kurdish

 

All links accessed 24 August 2020.