From 23 to 28 July, EUAM Iraq participated at the Protection of Civilians (PoC) basic course in Erbil delivered by the Dutch peace organization PAX and the Iraqi Al-Amal Association. 

EUAM Iraq's role will be to monitor and support the process by providing feedback and advice.

This first course, initiated by the Iraqi National Security Adviser, was attended by 28 Iraqi federal and Kurdistan Region of Iraq representatives of the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defence. 

The PoC course was attended by 28 Iraqi federal and Kurdistan Region of Iraq representatives of the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defence with EUAM Iraq participation

This initial course was the first step in the process of establishing a PoC capability within Iraqi security institutions.

After completing the second course, scheduled for later this year, to be focused on training skills and methodologies, participants are expected to implement their own PoC activities within their respective institutions. 

The session was facilitated by Dutch peace organization PAX and Iraqi Al-Amal Association

Anette Schwitzke, EUAM Iraq Gender and Human Rights Adviser (left), together with PAX and Al-Amal facilitators

A big thank you to Jamal Aljawaheri and Ilham Makki of Al-Amal, and to Marco Grandi and Wilbert van der Zeijden of PAX, for their generous hospitality and many inspirational conversations.

Read more about previous EUAM Iraq activities in the Kurdistan region of Iraq:

EUAM Iraq hosts Civil Society Platform in Erbil: “Building Trust with Security Forces” (20/06/2022, Erbil)

EUAM Iraq and Kurdish police share best practices in policing public protests (19/05/2022, Erbil)

Visit to Kurdistan highlighted EUAM Iraq’s commitment in the region (22/03/2022, KRI)