Iraq

Key Results

UNDP’s technical assistance contributed to the development of the National Security Strategy (2024-2028), the Security Sector Reform Strategy (2024-2032) and the Ministry of Interior Strategy (2024-2026). 1

UNDP support enabled the Ministry of Interior to operationalize six Model Police Stations (MPSs) which has helped establish reliable and accessible police services and build trust between communities and law-enforcement agencies. Survey results show that people in the MSPs servicing areas felt more secure and perceived the police force as a reliable source of support and justice for victims and witnesses of crime – a significant shift in public perception and confidence in law enforcement.

UNDP contributed to enhancing the effective prosecution of organized financial crime by fostering collaboration among 11 judicial and investigative institutions from the Federal and Kurdistan Region of Iraq and facilitating the launch of the Handbook on Financial Investigations to ensure consistency of the procedures and approaches.

In 2023, Iraq advanced towards comprehensive reforms called to enhance the rule of law, justice, security and human rights. The Prime-Minister established the High Committee on Security Sector Reform, a crucial step for transforming the security sector.  Emerging issues such as climate change were included in the reform agenda. In addition, measures to accelerate the transition from military to civilian security intensified, and discussions on women's empowerment in the security sector were revitalized highlighting a greater commitment to inclusivity. The success of these reforms hinges on their effective implementation and commitment from government actors. 

Through partnerships with the Government of Iraq (GoI), 2 UNDP implemented its rule of law portfolio focusing on the four key pillars: (1) strategic policy support in security sector, policing and integrity reforms; (2) capacity building for law-enforcement, judiciary and criminal justice institutions on anti-corruption, serious crimes and people-centred service delivery; (3) confidence-building between police and communities; (4) integration of disengaged former fighters and their families.

On a strategic policy level, UNDP offered technical assistance to develop the National Security Strategy (2024-2028), the Security Sector Reform Strategy (2024-2032) and the Ministry of Interior Strategy (2024-2026). As of the end of 2023, all of these documents were awaiting final approval. 

UNDP intensified capacity-building efforts and provided training to 2,303 police officers, judges and investigators (including 212 women) from 11 institutions 3 to improve the delivery of policing and security services, help law-enforcement hone their investigative techniques, build integrity and promote anti-money laundering measures.

UNDP fostered collaboration between communities and law-enforcement agencies by applying a people-centred approach. Through the establishment of Model Police Stations (MPSs) and such initiatives as Open Days, UNDP promoted trust-building and accessibility of police services at the grassroots level. In 2023, with UNDP support, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) operationalized six MPSs: in Anbar, Baghdad, Basra and Ninewa. UNDP conducted a survey in the areas where the MPSs provided policing services that confirmed a positive impact on people’s lives. According to the survey results, people felt more secure and perceived the police force as a reliable source of support and justice for victims and witnesses of crime – a significant shift in public perception and confidence in law enforcement. As a result, access to justice and support services has improved in the areas where the MPSs are fully functional, contributing to sustainable peace and development.

The insights from the survey, as well as from the evaluation workshop that the MoI organized with UNDP support, informed the MoI's strategy for 2024-2026, emphasizing the importance of people-centred policing. The Ministry committed to expand the MPSs and to ensure they are gender inclusive, with women police officers enjoying the same rights and opportunities as men.

Lastly, alongside security and justice sector reforms, UNDP prioritized the integration of disengaged former fighters and their families. UNDP offered mental health support, vocational and financial literacy training to 40 beneficiaries, alongside literacy skills development for those who could not read or write.  Forty more people applied for business grants.  Survivors in over 100 gender-based violence cases were referred to service providers for legal assistance and psychosocial support through the One-Stop-Information-Center (OSIC) system. Almost 140 women benefitted from the secure environment, coupled with OSIC sessions on gender-based violence, women's rights, literacy and essential life skills.

Another workstream in Iraq that contributed to improving the rule of law climate is the support to the Government to effectively prosecute organized financial crime and corruption. UNDP fostered collaboration among 11 judicial and investigative institutions from the Federal and Kurdistan Region of Iraq that committed to applying more stringent investigative procedures in complex financial cases. UNDP also facilitated the drafting and the launch of the Handbook on Financial Investigations to ensure consistency in procedures and approaches. 

One of the indications that such interagency work proved to be effective was the official letter from the Iraqi Chief Justice encouraging investigative judges to form task forces in collaboration with investigative agencies – a strategy that UNDP was advocating for. 4 Moreover, the enhanced capacity and collaboration have already translated into heightened productivity of beneficiary institutions. The Commission of Integrity reported significant progress, recovering 100 billion Iraqi dinars, real estate properties and high-value vehicles, and facilitating the return of assets that had been illicitly moved abroad.

Lessons learned and good practices

The enhanced rapport between the police and the community members has intensified crime prevention and resolution efforts. The Model Police Stations improved people's lives by elevating their sense of safety and security, promoting inclusivity and fairness within communities. Through this initiative, UNDP progressed towards improving the quality of life for individuals and communities across Iraq.

UNDP's multidimensional approach to enhance capacities in prosecuting organized financial crime underscored the importance of interagency cooperation. The launch of the Financial Investigations Handbook served as a tangible outcome of this collaboration, highlighting the significance of knowledge creation and sharing.

UNDP scoped entry points to address the emerging issue of climate and environmental justice and implication of climate change on the security sector.

Looking forward 

UNDP will continue enhancing Iraq's security sector and expand digital justice initiatives.  It will also develop internal monitoring and evaluation capacities, produce a strategic paper on climate security and revise management structure within governmental Stability and Fragility Assessment Committees. The Environmental Justice Programme will be launched, due to the financial and technical support from UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development.