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Independent Legal Aid and Information Centre (LAIC)
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KHRW established an Independent Legal Aid and Information Centre (LAIC) in Kirkuk to facilitate “return (or settlement elsewhere) and reintegration through the provision of information, legal advice and legal representation.” This project addresses the legal rights and protection for up to approximately 24,000 returnees, refugees and IDPs.
KHRW-LAIC staff conduct regular assessment visits to refugee and IDP camps, participate in various conferences, and meet with officials with the Office of Refugees and Immigrants, Iraqi Property Claims Commission, and UNHCR to find durable solutions to unresolved legal issues in Kirkuk.
In 2006, the Centre also partner with the local educational system to implement social and cultural activities in the schools to further develop community and conflict resolutions between the inter-ethnic communities. These activities will take the form of sessions/workshops, roundtable discussions with young people from different ethnic groups/communities on how to behave in ways that minimize conflict, and drawing on examples from daily life in other communities from around the world where people from different religions and ethnic backgrounds live in harmony.
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
According to a November 1998 report from the UN secretary general, internally displaced persons in northern Iraq consisted of: a) persons in collective towns who were unable to return; b) persons who did not wish to return; and c) persons who had taken refuge in urban and semi-urban areas, and who, because of their vulnerable position, needed water, sewage, and other infrastructure services. Counting only groups (a) and (c), the secretary general estimated that 800,000 people remained internally displaced in northern Iraq.
Women and Democracy
This capacity-building initiative concentrates on Iraqi women, in tandem with women’s associations, local NGOs and other women’s groups, throughout northern Iraq, to successfully advocate for democratic rights and opportunities for women in a new democratic Iraq.
This initiative empowers Iraqi women in grassroots communities through trainings, seminars and workshops that educate them on issues such as election operations, civic participation and collaboration with media and politicians.
This is initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
KHRW’s Role in the Reconstruction of Iraq
Given our expertise and long history involving service delivery to and advocacy for the people of Iraq, KHRW is uniquely positioned to leverage its extensive network of civil society partners to facilitate the transition of the Iraqi people into a society free of Saddam Hussein and his regime. Specifically, KHRW can offer its services to assist in:
Community organizing
- Needs assessment
- Training and technical assistance to local NGOs and government officials
- Identification of and access to community resources
- Public education in human rights, democratic principles and good governance
Education and Business Development
- Microenterprise and small business Development
- Building community capacity to develop the economy and community
- Adult literacy projects
- Vocational training
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