The Representation of Republic of Iraq in Geneva: The Iraqi government places the issue of internally displaced people at its highest priority, and employs various energies to address it

Dr. Abbas Kadhim Obaid, Chargé d’affairs to the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Iraq in Geneva, participated in the Inter-Sessional Symposium on Human Rights and Internally Displaced Persons to follow up the implementation of the Action Plan to Strengthen Prevention, Protection and Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (2018-2020) on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internally Displaced It was held via the online platform, headed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, and with the participation of Ms. Federica Mogherini, the former High Representative for Security Policy and Foreign Affairs in the European Union, and Ms. Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, President of the Human Rights Council.

Dr. Abbas Kadhim Obaid, confirmed that the Iraqi government has placed the issue of internally displaced people among its top priorities and has devoted all its energies and institutions to address it and provide the necessary assistance, as well as provided all kinds of facilities for humanitarian organizations, and set up full plans to control waves of internal displacement.

Dr. Abbas Kadhim Obaid, stated that good planning with stakeholders resulted in achieving success in containing the crisis and avoiding its repercussions, as the number of displaced Iraqis decreased from approximately 6 million displaced persons to 800 thousand, adding that despite the economic challenges that Iraq faced due to the drop in oil prices, many measures have been taken to guarantee the arrival of the internally displaced to enjoy their economic and social rights.

Dr. Abbas Kadhim Obaid pointed out that the Iraqi government focused in its handling of this file on vulnerable groups of internally displaced persons, such as women, children, and people with disabilities ,indicating that the Iraqi government has addressed the causes of displacement and removed the remnants of war such as mines and explosive materials planted by Da’esh terrorist gangs before securing the return of the displaced to ensure their safety, and that Iraq supports the implementation of the global action plan to address internal displacement.