A/HRC/14/37 549. At its 25th meeting, on 11 June 2010, the Human Rights Council considered and adopted the outcome of the review of Iraq (see section C below). 550. The outcome of the review of Iraq comprises the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/14/14), the views of Iraq concerning the recommendations and/or conclusions, and its voluntary commitments and replies presented before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary to questions or issues that were not sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group (see also A/HRC/14/14/Add.1). 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, its voluntary commitments and the outcome 551. The Government of Iraq expressed its highest appreciation to all the delegations that contributed to enriching the interactive dialogue when discussing Iraq’s national report. The recommendations and questions that arose during the interactive dialogue had permitted it to develop awareness for the universality and indivisibility of human rights in the country. 552. Iraq had taken measures to establish a national committee to follow up and implement the universal periodic review recommendations. The committee was composed of representatives of legislative, judicial and executive authorities, non-governmental organizations and the media. Iraq highlighted that it had agreed, in cooperation with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), to hold a national conference in September 2010 to discuss a draft road map for the implementation of the accepted recommendations. Iraq wanted the national plan to coincide with the national development plan adopted by the Ministry of Planning and Developmental Cooperation for the next five years. The projects included a wide scope for human rights in all Government institutions according to their activities and various tasks relating to human rights. 553. The delegation noted that the period covered by the universal periodic review report coincided with important legislative elections. On 7 March 2010, more than 12 million Iraqis had voted, that is, 62.40 per cent of eligible voters. They had elected 325 representatives of 6,281 nominees, including 1,813 women across 12 large coalitions and 167 politically affiliated groups. Of these seats, 310 were distributed among the 18 provinces, in addition to the 8 seats for minorities: 5 for Christians, 1 for the Sabaii, the Eizidi and the Shabak, and 7 compensatory seats for the list that obtained most votes. The delegation also highlighted the representation of women in parliament as having reached 25 per cent. 554. The delegation called on the President of the Council to delay the review of Iraq’s next report, to ensure that it would not coincide with the Iraqi election cycle, which took place at the same time as the review, since this could affect efforts to make a clear decision on its position to the recommendations that may arise from the next interactive dialogue. 555. Iraq emphasized that, despite the complexity of the situation and the challenges it was facing, especially while encountering terrorism, the Government was progressing towards enforcing the principles of rule of law and the respect and protection of human rights, which had been agreed upon and incorporated into the Constitution. 556. The delegation stated that the focus of the governmental system on monitoring the human rights situation had become stronger, and was part of a national active system to protect people from torture and involuntary disappearances. The system was supported by political will and an effective judicial system ready to bring wrongdoers and violators to justice. The delegation stressed that individual acts did not reflect Government policy. 557. Iraq referred to the adoption of procedural reforms concerning an electronic database of prisoners and detainees that would be published online on the websites of prisons and GE.12-17781 131

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