In 2004-05 IHRN was commissioned to undertake an assessment of current needs and capacities among Iraqi human rights NGOs. The overall aim was to strengthen the capacity of indigenous Iraqi human rights NGOs and to facilitate them in identifying priorities for future support. Findings and recommendations are outlined in the Human Rights NGO Capacity-Building Iraq: Next Steps Report.
In 2006, a training programme was also held in Amman from Friday 24th– Thursday 30th March 2006.
The programme was designed and facilitated by IHRN in conjunction with Iraqi human rights NGOs and with support from OHCHR and the Jordanian NGO MIZAN. It addressed key priorities identified during a needs assessment exercise conducted with Iraqi human rights activists during 2004-05. Those needs and priorities were outlined in the Next Steps Report.
The aim was to help build capacity of Iraqi human rights non-governmental organisations to undertake human rights fieldwork and to strengthen:
IHRN selected participants to ensure a cross-section of backgrounds, sex, interests and areas of activity.
>The 2004-05 needs assessment programme was carried out with the support of The Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights. It was funded by DFID and managed through the British Council. In 2006 the capacity building programme was funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
IHRN provides on-going capacity-building support to a network of Iraqi human rights NGOs.