The 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council

General Debate on Agenda Item 4:

Human Rights Situations that Require the Council’s Attention

Joint Statement by International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD) and Geneva International Centre for Justice

By Shyla Gheek / GICJ 

Thank you Mr. Vice President,

Twenty-two years ago, on this very day, humanity lost its way. On March 20th, 2003, under the false pretence of liberty, The US and UK began their invasion of Iraq, a true war of aggression. 22 years later, we sit here with no true explanation, no reparations and most of all, no justice.

The weapons of mass destruction they set out to find, never existed. What did exist was an entire nation that was torn apart. Over 2 million Iraqi citizens were killed. Institutions that once gave Iraq stability, destroyed.

The ongoing patterns of displacement, arbitrary detentions, systematic use of torture and humiliation continue to be prevalent. Enforced disappearances, especially those involving children, have and continue to be left unaddressed. The campaign of Shock and Awe was in fact, shocking and awful.

What followed was remorseless destruction, violation of international law, and an unforgettable stain on human history. Since 2003, Iraq has remained engulfed in violence, instability, and sectarian conflict. The very foundation of the country and its people suffocated under the white blanket of the West.

On behalf of EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice, we call for accountability for the crime of aggression, an official apology, and creation of an Independent Inquiry of all human rights violations in Iraq since 2003.

Thank you