International experts call on Iraq to investigate attacks on women human rights defenders
A number of independent United Nations experts called on Iraq to conduct an immediate investigation into the killing, to initiate the killing of the two human rights defenders: Doctor Reham Yaqoub and activist Woody Alberti, and to provide a safe environment to support human rights.
The experts * said in a press release: “It is outrageous for women in Iraq to take risks or lose their lives in defense of human rights. “The impunity that allows these crimes to continue must be ended.”
The experts urged the Iraqi government to carry out urgent, independent and impartial investigations into the attacks on the two activists, and to bring those responsible to justice, in accordance with international standards.
Activists Reham Yaqoub and Woody Alberti
Doctor Reham Yaqoub was assassinated on August 19 in Basra, southern Iraq, after unidentified gunmen on a motorbike shot her. According to experts, Reham is known for defending women’s right to play sports in public places and use sports facilities.
Activist Lodi Raymond Alberti was the subject of an assassination attempt on 17 August, and she was hit in the leg. She is a defender of women’s rights and the environment, and was previously subjected to defamation campaigns that forced her to leave her city, Basra.
The two activists led women’s marches within the protest movement against corruption and unemployment, which began in 2018 in Basra.
The experts added in a press release issued Friday: “It is clear that the Iraqi government does not pay much attention to the lives of human rights defenders. The two attacks could have been completely prevented, and the two defenders have received threats in the past and the state has done nothing to preserve their safety.”
Women are more threatened
According to experts, all human rights defenders are at risk, but women in particular face multi-faceted threats more than others.
It is a shame for women in Iraq to take risks or lose their lives in defense of human rights. The impunity that allows these crimes to continue must end – the experts
Because of the war and severe insecurity in Iraq, women human rights defenders face prejudice and exclusion by society and political leaders, “as well as physical attacks, sexual violence, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and death,” according to the experts.
* The human rights experts are:
Mary Lawler, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; The Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice; Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is called the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. The Special Procedures are the largest body of independent experts in the UN rights system, and it is the general name for the Council’s independent investigative, monitoring and monitoring mechanisms. The special procedures mandate holders are human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific situations in specific countries or thematic issues worldwide. They are not employees of the United Nations and are independent of any government and organization. They provide their services according to their individual capabilities and are not paid for the work they do.
