2 February 2023
[I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Malta]
I begin by thanking Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert and Dr Ahmed of the Health and Social Care Organization in Iraq. Your briefings, as well as the recent SG report, note the significant progress we have witnessed in Iraq, and the work still to be done.
Central to this progress is the work of UNAMI over the past 20 years.
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Malta welcomes the formation of a new government in Iraq and encourages all political stakeholders and institutions in Iraq to work constructively together to enable the Government to address the country’s needs, including in the implementation of relevant reforms.
We also welcome the adherence to the country’s legislated gender quotas.
Echoing the Secretary-General, we urge Iraq’s political leaders to ensure the full, equal, and meaningful inclusion of women in all political processes and at all levels of governance, including the executive and judicial branches.
Malta urges the Government of Iraq to adopt the draft Anti-Domestic Violence Law and rigorously pursue accountability for gender-based crimes that protect all women and girls, regardless of nationality.
On the political front, we also welcome the pronounced commitment and steps taken by the Federal and Kurdistan Regional Governments to address outstanding issues.
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The deadly clashes that occurred at the end of August in Baghdad underline the fragility of the security situation. We call on the new government to address the root causes of such instability, namely the political, economic, social, and environmental challenges, and express our support for the continued pursuit of much-needed reforms in this context. Such action is essential for promoting long-term stability in Iraq. In this respect, the timely passage of a new budget is vital.
In this regard, we also call on all States, particularly neighbouring countries, to respect and support Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic political process. Furthermore, attacks on Iraqi territory also imperil its stability and the stability of the region, and should cease immediately.
We welcome and commend the positive role played by Iraq in the region, in particular, its diplomatic efforts to advance stability, including through its engagement and facilitation of dialogue with regional partners.
We also stress the need to fight terrorism and recurring Daesh attacks in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law, and reiterate our steadfast support for UNITAD.
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Malta reiterates the importance of respecting human rights and democratic principles, and expresses concern about the attacks on protestors, activists, and journalists. In this context we thank and commend NGOs in their tireless efforts on the ground. Efforts must be also made at addressing the problems associated with mine action clearance.
We are deeply concerned by the 42 grave violations committed against children, the high incidence of conflict-related sexual violence and the 84 civilian casualties documented by UNAMI.
Furthermore, we urge the Government of Iraq to fully implement the Yazidi Female Survivors Law and to consider similar provisions for the children of survivors, including children born of conflict-related rape.
On the humanitarian front, significant needs remain, and we urge that all restrictions on humanitarian access be lifted. As alluded to by today’s briefer Dr Ahmed, civilians are paying the heaviest price for the instability in Iraq. As of 31 December, a staggering 1.17 million Iraqis remain internally displaced and 990,000 people were in acute need of humanitarian assistance.
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Malta stresses the importance of addressing climate and security in Iraq, which is the world’s fifth most affected country by climate change. We welcome UNAMI’s efforts to assist Iraq mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, including through sustainable development and the use of renewable energies. Malta calls for increased international and regional efforts on addressing the challenge of water scarcity.
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Malta calls on the government to work towards removing the key barriers to ending displacement, including extensive weapons contamination, incomplete restoration of housing and basic services in areas retaken from ISIL. The return of internally displaced persons must be safe, voluntary, dignified, and consensual. Malta urges regional and international partners to ensure that both national and international aid and development organisations are equipped and facilitated in addressing these challenges.
I thank you.