Government outlines view on observation of the human rights of women in Iraq

Commons Answer: 17th January

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the Iraqi Government on the observation of the human rights of women in Iraq; and if she will make a statement.

Dr. Howells: Officials from our embassy in Baghdad, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and my right hon. Friend the Member for the Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd), as Special Envoy to the Prime Minister for Human Rights in Iraq, regularly raise women's rights with the Iraqi Government at all levels. The Iraqi Constitution provides that all people should be treated equally irrespective of their gender, race or ethnicity and includes additional provisions specifically to protect the rights of women. We are actively supporting the Government of Iraq on developing policies and legislation in line with these provisions including through work with the Ministries for Human Rights and Women's Affairs.

Iraqi parliamentarians, women's rights activists and women’s groups have told us about problems with women's access to employment and education, threats and assassinations of women professionals, the enforced wearing of the veil and other socially conservative forms of dress, and gender based violence including honour killings and female genital mutilation.

We are concerned about these issues and the impact of continued violence on all Iraqis. We will continue to support the Iraqi Government, security forces, judiciary and civil society organisations to develop a more secure country with a representative government able to work for all Iraqis.