Dutch government, UNDP open court in Nineveh
Representatives of the UNDP, the Dutch government and the Iraqi Ministry of Interior during the inauguration of the Nineveh Criminal Investigation Court. Photo: UNDP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, with support from the government of the Netherlands, opened on Sunday the Nineveh Criminal Investigation Court, according to a statement issued by the UNDP.
Led by the High Judge of Nineveh, Judge Raed Hameed, and a panel of nine judges, the court will be pivotal in ensuring access to justice for the local population and securing the region’s long-term stability, the statement mentioned.
Since Mosul was occupied by ISIS, the court operated from a municipal building in Tel Kaif district. The new courthouse will move court services related to criminal investigations permanently to West Mosul, enabling greater efficiency and accessibility for those seeking justice, the statement illustrated.
UNDP also operates two of its six model police stations in Mosul. Model police stations provide police services according to the needs of communities and encourage public faith in policing, the statement clarified.
In addition to enhancing community security in Nineveh governorate, the UNDP and the Dutch government supported the development of ten peace agreements across Nineveh and Kirkuk, the statement explained.
The period that preceded these peace agreements included dialogues with local authorities, religious leaders, community and tribal leaders, women, and youth, resulting in individually tailored recommendations, the statement elaborated.
The construction of the Nineveh Criminal Investigation Court was implemented by UNDP’s Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) with support from the government of the Netherlands, according to the statement.
The statement illustrated that the Netherlands has contributed more than $107 million to the FFS and $8.5 million to security sector reform since 2015, making it one of the UNDP’s largest contributors in Iraq.
With support from the Government of the Netherlands, UNDP has rehabilitated 49 law enforcement facilities, including four courthouses, five national security buildings, 34 police stations, one police training center, and 10 police directorate offices, the statement added.