Geneva, The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, through spokesperson Marta Hurtado, has expressed grave concerns over proposed legislative amendments in Iraq that could severely penalize consensual same-sex relations and certain forms of adultery with the death penalty or life imprisonment. Additionally, the office issued an urgent warning about the escalating human rights crisis in Haiti, marked by unprecedented gang violence.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the proposed changes in Iraq’s legislation have prompted calls for Parliament members to align any new laws with the country’s human rights obligations. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who voiced his concerns during a mission to Iraq in August of the previous year, highlighted the international obligation to limit the death penalty to the most severe crimes involving intentional killing. The proposed legislation contradicts these standards and is particularly worrying given Iraq’s increasing application of capital punishment, including the execution of over a dozen prisoners at the end of 2023 and reports of authorized executions for hundreds more. The UN rights office urges the Iraqi government to halt all executions and consider a moratorium on capital punishment.
In Haiti, the situation has significantly worsened, with January 2024 being the most violent month in over two years. Turk pointed out the dire human rights conditions exacerbated by continuous and escalating gang violence, leading to tragic outcomes for the Haitian population. Last month alone, at least 806 individuals, not directly involved in conflicts, were affected by violence, including being killed, injured, or kidnapped, alongside some 300 gang members. This totals 1,108 affected individuals, a figure more than triple that of January 2023. The UN rights office’s statement underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address the spiraling violence and its devastating impact on Haiti’s citizens.
These developments in Iraq and Haiti represent significant concerns for global human rights, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calling for immediate action to prevent further human rights violations and protect vulnerable populations in both countries.