UN Assisting Formation Of Human Rights Commission In Iraq

Louise Arbour, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) NEW YORK, March 14, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The United Nations' Human Rights Office says it has held a workshop with Iraqi government officials, parliamentarians, and nongovernmental organizations aimed at assisting the establishment of an Iraqi human rights commission.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said details of the planned commission are still in the process of being worked out.

In a message addressed to the workshop, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, said the establishment of an Iraqi commission would help expose human rights violations and help Iraqis build a culture of human rights.