Sweden supports UNITAD with $2 million

 Sweden supports UNITAD with $2 million

The Special Adviser of the UNITAD, Christian Ritscher, and the Swedish Ambassador to Iraq, Jessica Svardstrom, signing a contribution agreement. Photo: UNITAD

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD) welcomed a new contribution of $2 million from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to support UNITAD to advance its core mandate and build capacities of Iraqi civil society, according to a statement issued by the UNITAD.

The Special Advisor of the UNITAD, Christian Ritscher, and the Swedish Ambassador to Iraq, Jessica Svardstrom, signed last Wednesday the contribution agreement marking the continued cooperation between the UNITAD and Sweden, the statement mentioned.

The agreement also inaugurates new initiatives that will support and build the capacities of Iraqi civil society, including vulnerable groups, the statement illustrated.

“Promoting accountability for international crimes is a process that requires meticulous work and dedication from all relevant stakeholders,” Ritscher said.

“Our team works together with national counterparts to document ISIL atrocities, and digitize evidence in accordance with international standards, to make it stand the test of time,” Ritscher explained.

“Thanks to this generous contribution, UNITAD will be able to expand such work and the team’s efforts hand-in-hand with Iraqi counterparts, especially among Iraqi civil society partners,” Ritscher added.

In addition to its innovative approach to investigations and digitization of data, UNITAD is also working to empower and enhance national capacities towards the common goal of promoting accountability for ISIL international crimes, the statement added.