UN: Iraqi forces need human rights retraining
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 November 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, UN: Iraqi forces need human rights retraining, 15 November 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e658c023.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 15, 2013
Security forces have been accused by Iraq's Sunnis of targeting them unfairly.
Iraq's security forces need "massive amounts of retraining" in respecting human rights.
That's the assessment of the new UN envoy to Baghdad, Nickolay Mladenov.
Speaking to reporters in Baghdad, Mladenov, a former Bulgarian foreign and defense minister, said Iraq's armed forces and police needed to undergo a "change in culture."
Iraq's security forces have been criticized, particularly by the Sunni Arab community, over allegations that soldiers and police unfairly target the minority.
Mladenov said Baghdad needed to do more to integrate the country's Sunni Arab population.
Mladenov also said he did not expect any long-term political problems to be addressed before elections due April 30, but voiced hope that the authorities could make progress on key issues such as the delivery of basic services.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
