Iraq: Integrated rule of law mission

EUJUST LEX is a civil crisis management operation implemented under the auspices of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), which aims to strengthen the Iraqi criminal justice system. This mission forms part of the European Union’s contribution towards the reconstruction and the emergence of a stable, secure and democratic Iraq.

ACT

Council Joint Action 2005/190/CFSP of 7 March 2005 on the European Union Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq, EUJUST LEX [See amending acts].

SUMMARY

The mandate of the European Union’s integrated mission for Iraq (“EUJUST LEX”) is to help strengthen the management capacity and skills of Iraqi officials from the police, judiciary and penitentiary. It also aims to improve procedures in criminal investigations, capacity, coordination and collaboration of the different components of the Iraqi criminal justice system in full respect for the rule of law and human rights.

High and mid level Iraqi officials are invited to participate in training courses carried out on EU territory in senior management and criminal investigation. The training courses proposed by EUJUST LEX and undertaken by Member States will focus particularly on:

• Senior Police Leadership;
• Managing Murder Investigations;
• Public Order Management and Human Rights;
• Management of Training;
• Train the Trainer;
• Fair Trial and Human Rights;
• Financial Crime;
• Forensic Science (Modern Techniques of Investigation);
• Developing Prison Standards within a Human Rights Framework;
• Senior Prison Leadership;
• Strategies for Managing Vulnerable Prisoners (Females, Juveniles and Ethnic Minorities);
• Contingency Planning and Crisis Management.

Mission structure

The EUJUST LEX mission is structured as follows:

• a Head of Mission
• a Coordinating Office in Brussels;
• a Liaison Office in Baghdad;
• Training Facilities and trainers provided by the Member States.

The Political and Security Committee (PSC) shall provide the political control and strategic direction.

Context

The European Union’s mission forms part of the framework for the economic, social and political reconstruction of Iraq based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546 of 8 June 2004.

At the request of the Iraqi government the Council decided to establish a mission called “Rule of law” on 21 February 2005. The operational phase of EUJUST LEX began on 1 July 2005. The mission has been extended a number of times; the last extension was made until June 2009.

See also

For further information, please consult the Council website dedicated to EUJUST LEX.

Last updated: 12.09.2008