International Coordination for Gender Justice In Iraq (ICGJI)
Given the challenges faced in reforming laws in Iraq to protect the rights of women it is clear that a broad-based coalition of Iraqi groups and members of the international community must engage in the effort to encourage Iraqi Tribunal Judges to adopt a progressive approach to the way gender crimes are tried during the war crimes proceedings and after. Such a massive legal effort can only be successful when matched with strong advocacy to pressure the Judges to adhere to best practices in international law and affect the social climate around gender crimes and discrimination.
International Coordination for Gender Justice in Iraq (ICGJI) is a new organization being created to parallel the efforts of GJC work with the Women's Alliance for a Democratic Iraq and the Iraqi High Tribunal Judges and Prosecutors. Based in London, the ICGJI works with Iraqi and non-Iraqi organizations committed to promoting gender justice in Iraq through international advocacy and public education. The ICGJI has as its mission to uphold the rule of law, increase awareness of international agreements regarding women, support the participation of women in the legal system within Iraq and ensure the voice of Iraqi women is heard throughout the transitional justice process into the future.
Ongoing ICGJI Projects
- The coordination of an international effort to collect and submit amicus briefs to the Iraq High Tribunal. These briefs will urge the Iraq High Tribunal Judges to implement Security Council Resolution 1325 through their rulings in an effort to uphold gender justice. We seek to encourage groups from diverse backgrounds to submit briefs covering the gamut of issues related to gender violence.
- Outreach to several Iraqi Women's groups to increase awareness and participation in this campaign. The ICGJI has been in contact with numerous NGOs as well as other groups, including the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice at the ICC, to gain support for this effort. As more organizations join the campaign to advance women's rights in Iraq, women have the potential to develop a stronger voice, gain greater political representation, and realize justice in Iraq.
- Collaboration with international government officials to make governments worldwide aware of the Iraqi High Tribunal's influence on international jurisprudence on gender and the advancement of women's rights in Iraq. The ICGJI works with the British All Party Group on 1325 as well as other parliamentarians, high level officials and government groups to educate them on the potential of the Tribunal to positively affect women's rights in Iraq and the region.
- Seeing that support for the use of 1325 in the Iraqi Tribunal Context is recognized in national action plans on 1325 being pioneered in Britain as well as a handful of other countries including Canada, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. The Iraqi High Tribunal could be the first body to use 1325 as a legal argument (in a war crimes tribunal context) and therefore could set an important precedent for women worldwide. The ICGJI seeks to ensure that NGOs, Governments, and individuals worldwide that are working on 1325 become aware of this possibility and that they actively lobby these groups to ensure that they recognize this possibility and promote its becoming a reality.
- Providing a forum for the voice of Iraqi women survivors of violence in Iraq and throughout the world. The ICGJI will work to provide a space for victims to speak publicly about the crimes committed against them to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence under Saddam and continuing as well as provide necessary measures to protect and support witness testimony of victims.