BAGHDAD/GENEVA (6 November 2018) – More than 200 mass graves containing the remains of thousands of victims have been discovered in areas formerly controlled by ISIL in Iraq, according to a UN report released Tuesday. The report highlights the legacy of ISIL’s relentless campaign of terror and violence and victims’ calls for truth and justice.

Halabja, Iraq, 30 August 2018 – Police officers in Halabja city have completed a two-day training course organized by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Human Rights Office (HRO) on core human rights principles relating to police work.

Basra, 10 December 2017 - The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Human Rights Office in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Civil society groups commemorated today the International Human Rights Day in Basra. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Stand up for your rights and those of others’ and was aimed to promote and raise awareness of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Erbil, 10 December 2017 - The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights today marked International Human Rights Day in Erbil, with calls for standing up for human rights and upholding these rights and protecting them through actions and policies.

Baghdad, 12 December 2017 - A team from the Human Rights office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) conducted a mission to Tuz Khurmatu in Salah al-Din Governorate on 7 December 2017 to investigate reports of punitive destruction of property of residents who have been displaced by the clashes in the area in October and reports of intimidation to prevent the safe return of the displaced to their homes.

“Human Rights Day falls on 10 December every year, the day when, back in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – the world’s most widely translated* and possibly most influential document – was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, itself just three years old at the time.”

This year’s commemoration of Human Rights Day marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of seven decades since the adoption of one of the world’s most profound and far-reaching international agreements. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes the equality and dignity of every human being and stipulates that every government has a core duty to enable all people to enjoy all their inalienable rights and freedoms.

Human rights are the foundation of peaceful societies and sustainable development.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes the equality and dignity of every person.

It makes governments responsible for ensuring people can enjoy their inalienable rights and freedoms.