INL Baghdad January Highlights

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000322 SIPDIS DEPT FOR INL-I JUSTICE FOR ODAG, OPDAT, ICITAP, CRM SENSITIVE TAGS: SNAR KCRM KJUS PGOV IZ SUBJECT: INL Baghdad January Highlights ¶1. (SBU) Summary: INL Baghdad continues to see progress on its Judicial and Law Enforcement Assistance (JALEA) programs and police training transition efforts. The Police Transition Team (PTT) completed an initial, detailed assessment of basing and staffing options. JALEA's Iraq HJC Court Administration Project (IH-CAP) graduated its first class of statistics trainers. With the assistance of the INL-funded University of Utah program, the Higher Judicial Council (HJC) subcommittee completed its review of the Iraqi criminal procedure code. Continuing its efforts to support the HJC in the wake of the October 25 headquarters bombing, INL has donated 67 containerize housing units (CHU) for the temporary administrative complex; 30 additional CHUs will be delivered shortly. The Judicial Development Institute (JDI) is one step closer to opening after the nomination of ten higher-level judges to serve as adjunct trainers. INL Baghdad's Judicial Protection Service (JPS) program graduated its first 14 Facilities Protection Service officers following an inaugural course on screening operations. End Summary. Police Transition Planning Continues -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The PTT continues planning for the 2011 transfer of the police training mandate from the Department of Defense to the Department of State. INL Baghdad has held regular meetings with Mission and U.S. Military regarding possible hub sites in Baghdad, Basrah and Erbil regarding location, budget, life support, medical and personal security detail (PSD) contracts, and excess property. The PTT has drafted a 56-page preliminary assessment and recommendations for basing and staffing options for the proposed hubs in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basrah. ¶3. (SBU) The PTT report recommends: placing INL advisors and associate life support and security staff at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Prosperity and Joint Security Station Shield in Baghdad; partnering with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG)to fund a base of operations in Erbil; and collocating with the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Contingency Operating Station (COS) Basrah. This would minimize costs and security threats while maximizing the INL advisors' ability to serve the GOI project beneficiaries. HJC Graduates Statistics Trainers -------------- ¶4. (SBU) With INL Baghdad support, the Iraqi Higher Judicial Council (HJC) Statistics and Planning Department graduated its first class of statistics instructors on January 24 following a four-day train-the-trainer program. Held at the INL-sponsored Judicial Development Institute (JDI),the instructor development course served as a pilot for future programs at the facility with JDI staff participating in the course to gain exposure to teaching methodology. The HJC will hold a second class in March following the HJC's nomination of senior judges who will serve as JDI instructions and curriculum developers. ¶5. (SBU) Since 2008,INL Baghdad has worked with the HJC Statistics and Planning Department to review its data collection process and to create standardized, automated forms which will improve efficiency and data accuracy. Previously, the HJC had various forms requiring new transcription at every level. In addition, the new forms will Qnew transcription at every level. In addition, the new forms will allow for better data analysis. INL also worked with the HJC to develop a statistical desk book for harmonizing the efforts of national and provincial practitioners. Based on that experience, the HJC independently drafted section procedures, standards, and a definition section for its annual report. ¶6. (SBU) While the statistics course, procedures, and products reflect patient INL capacity building efforts, the HJC has taken ownership of the process and built upon the foundation to expand its own standard operating procedures. The HJC has requested INL assistance in developing similar products for case management, human resources, budget and planning and the Judicial Security Department, amongst others. UU Completes Criminal Procedure Code Review -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Following 40 meetings with HJC-appointed retired judges and consultations with judicial investigators, investigative judges, public prosecutors, trial judges, defense lawyers, and NGOs, the BAGHDAD 00000322 002 OF 002 University of Utah-supported HJC sub-committee has completed its review of the Iraqi criminal procedure code. The Iraqi-led group is now refining its recommendations. The next step for the sub-committee is now to shift from data gathering to presenting its recommendations to a wider audience for input and revision. ¶8. (SBU) HJC Chief Justice Medhat praised the INL-sponsored UU project, noting that it was the first to marry Iraqi technical legal expertise with international advisors adding their knowledge of comparative and international standards. This differs from the prevailing practice of international advisors reviewing and drafting recommendations for Iraqi legal reform with little to no Iraqi expert involvement in the endeavor at the outset. Chief Justice Medhat has instructed other international donors to adopt the INL/UU model. Separately, the European Union Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq (EUJUST LEX) acknowledged the strength of the INL/UU model at a January legislative reform conference in Brussels. Support for HJC Temporary Administrative Complex -------------- --- ¶9. (SBU) INL Baghdad is continuing its support to the HJC in the wake of the October 25 MOJ/HJC headquarters bombing. ICORs met with HJC Director General Karima to affirm INL's donation of 67 CHUs to support the temporary administrative complex. INL donated an additional 11 CHUs to the MOJ. Increasing Progress Made Toward JDI Opening -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Reflecting INL's long term capacity building efforts, JDI's Consultative Board has assumed the leadership role in developing its own subject-matter experts and curriculum, particularly related to Iraqi law. The Consultative Board has nominated 10 high-level judges to serve as adjunct trainers. Once approved, the judges will receive instructor development at JDI, tentatively scheduled for March. To supplement Iraqi expertise, JDI Director Judge Hanna has requested that INL provide additional training to judicial investigators on domestic violence and honor killings as well as programs already being developed in areas such as terrorism, criminal investigations, and murder investigation. ¶11. (SBU) As a result of HJC's relocation to the new location at the Central Criminal Court of Iraq (CCC-I) Karkh campus following the October 25 joint MOJ/HJC headquarters bombing, JDI has housed the displaced Task Force 134. This has delayed JDI campus finalization efforts. Following the January closure of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Falcon, INL coordinated the movement of 37 CHUs to the HJC Administrative Complex adjacent to JDI for temporary use by the court for its administration, and to provide space for the processing of detention orders for suspected terrorists. INL subsequently provided 30 more CHUs, for a total of 67. As well as increasing the HJC's administrative capacity, the additional CHUs will allow all of the JDI facility to return to its intended use as a training facility. JPS Offers First Security Training Course -------------- ¶12. (SBU) INL's Judicial Protection Service (JPS) project graduated 14 Facilities Protection Service (FPS) officers following its first Q14 Facilities Protection Service (FPS) officers following its first training course entitled "Screening Operations" at the Rusafa Justice Palace, December 21. JPS worked closely with the HJC to develop the curriculum for the two-day course on vehicular and personal searches and terrorism indicators.