Brussels, 09/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - “The EU does not impose, it proposes” - this is the watchword for the rule of law mission in Iraq (EUROJUST LEX) launched in July 2005 and for which the Political and Security Committee (COPS) approved an 18 month extension (until June 2009) on 25 September last. The head of mission, Stephen White, described the four EUROJUST LEX objectives, during a press conference on Tuesday 9 October in Brussels: to provide training opportunities; promote the integration of different Iraqi legal system actors; not to take action unless consent of Iraqi government has been obtained; and to work in a complementary way with other initiatives in the region.
Pleased that the interest the mission had stimulated in member states was still growing, Mr White stated that “the mission was extended not only because the EU wanted that but because of the Iraqi government's will”. He underlined that “almost every state is involved in the mission” and indicated that around 15 countries, like Germany, Italy and Poland were providing information, other countries personnel to the mission office, and others funding. White said that the first objective was to “open the eyes” of Iraqis on the “different techniques” in investigations, prisons system management and the work of the security services. White acknowledged that it was up to Iraqis to identify the problems “when the police are in breach of international standards” and stated that “We are dealing with the crime system that exists in there, but we're trying to show them new standards of police investigations” based on those elaborated by the United Nations, for example. White affirmed: “I am neither naïve nor unrealistic and recognise the problem, and this mission tries to address these issues”. White pointed out that when this involves the promotion of “integration and collaboration between different actors in the judicial system” in Iraq, it is necessary to “bring…together” judges, magistrates and police, who are often critical of each other's action. The courses (nine of them at the moment) attempt to establish fair representation of all the social/religious groups in Iraq. The groups are mixed and there are Sunnis, Shia, men and women, explained Mr White, who noted, however, that “there are extremely few women in the Iraqi judicial system”.
ERUROJUST LEX was set up in June 2005 for an initial period of a year with two kinds of courses (for officers and investigation management). The second phase of the mission (July 2006-December 2007) was expanded and reached a total of nine courses (police training, murder enquiry management; management of public order and human rights; fair trials and human rights; financial offences; police science; prison staff training; development of prison standards in respect for human rights; prison management strategies for vulnerable prisoners, such as women, young people and ethnic minorities). Courses in member states last three weeks. More than 1200 officers and senior Iraqi magistrates have benefited from the EU programme. The budget is for 18 months and is equal to the budget for the first mission, €10 million from the ESDP budget; training, accommodation, transport, and security of people in training is paid by member states. (aby)