About the Human Rights Division
Human rights education constitutes a fundamental pillar for building conscious societies and preventing violations. It plays a vital role in reinforcing the values of equality and sustainable development. Education and awareness of these rights are, in themselves, a legal entitlement enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which obligates institutions to promote respect for fundamental freedoms.
Universities play a pivotal role in shaping social and ethical awareness. In light of the growing challenges related to human rights, it has become imperative for universities to adopt institutional frameworks that ensure the integration of these concepts into educational and research policies.
Accordingly, the need has emerged to establish human rights divisions and units within universities to take responsibility for education, training, and support, and to contribute to building an academic community that respects fundamental rights and freedoms.
Introductory Overview
The Human Rights Division at the University of Baghdad was established in 2024 pursuant to University Order No. (3614) dated 19/5/2024, which authorized the creation of the “Human Rights Division,” based on Ministerial Order No. (11/4/984) dated 21/4/2024, issued by the Administrative and Financial Department / Organizational Structures Division. The purpose of establishing this division is to enhance the University’s capacity to promote human rights. The Human Rights Division operates under the supervision of the Assistant President of the University for Scientific Affairs. It consists of three administrative units: the Human Rights Education and Training Unit, the Data and Archiving Unit, and the Monitoring, Follow-up, and Evaluation Unit.
Since its establishment in 2024, the Human Rights Division at the University of Baghdad has aspired to serve as a leading academic and institutional reference in promoting a culture of human rights within the University and the wider community through education, training, and scientific research. Its mission aligns with universal human values and national legislation. The Division aims to foster a university environment grounded in human dignity, justice, equality, and diversity, and to strengthen the University’s capacity to protect and advance human rights. In doing so, it seeks to position the University of Baghdad as a national model for integrating human rights principles into higher education and institutional practices.
Objectives
- Contributing to enabling the University to achieve its mission and objectives by promoting the values of human rights and fostering this culture.
- Enhancing the University’s status as a key institution in the fields of education, awareness, and dissemination of human rights principles.
- Spreading a culture of human rights among students and staff members.
- Integrating human rights principles into the educational system through academic curricula, university activities, training, and awareness programs.
- Developing and qualifying academic and administrative staff in the field of human rights, in a manner that promotes peace, democracy, and social development.
- Establishing a safe university environment based on equality, non-discrimination, and active citizenship.
- Ensuring the right to education and learning about human rights as a means to strengthen peace, democracy, and social order.
Mission
Enhancing awareness of the values of dignity, justice, and equality through the development of internal policies that support human rights and promote a fair academic environment. Providing training and education to ensure the right to human rights education, and empowering students, academic, and administrative staff with the knowledge and skills that make the University a model institution in protecting and advancing rights—thereby contributing to community service and the promotion of sustainable development.
Vision
An inclusive educational environment that respects the rights of all individuals and promotes the values of justice and equality. A leading university in fostering a culture of human rights and strengthening the values of dignity, justice, and equality.
Division Responsibilities
- Following up on the implementation of national strategies and the provisions of international conventions and treaties related to human rights, insofar as they pertain to the University.
- Overseeing and supervising the work of Human Rights Units within the University’s colleges and centers.
- Developing programs for training and learning about human rights and providing modern educational and training resources.
- Establishing a database related to human rights at the University, including data on vulnerable groups such as minorities, persons with special needs, and displaced individuals.
- Preparing annual reports to be submitted to the Ministry in three formats: the annual plan, the annual report, and the information database.
- Advancing knowledge of human rights through research and academic studies.
- Developing initiatives, policies, and skills to promote the dissemination of human rights culture and to ensure that the fundamental rights of students and staff are safeguarded and protected, while continuing to integrate human rights principles into university life.
- Establishing communication channels with students and staff to receive complaints related to human rights violations within the University.
- Strengthening cooperation and coordination with relevant institutions and authorities.
Administrative Structure of the Human Rights Division
Reporting and Recommendation Follow-up Unit
The Reporting and Recommendation Follow-up Unit is one of the core units within the Human Rights Division at the University of Baghdad. It is dedicated to strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system related to promoting a human rights culture within the university. The unit aims to ensure the effective implementation of plans, programs, and recommendations arising from the division’s activities, while documenting efforts and achievements in a manner that contributes to building an effective institutional framework that upholds the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency within the academic environment. Key responsibilities of the unit include:
- Monitoring the implementation of national strategies and human rights plans as they relate to higher education, to incorporate relevant progress into periodic and annual reports.
- Preparing and drafting annual reports and all other required submissions to the Ministry, based on collected data and documentation.
- Following up on recommendations issued in reports submitted to the Ministry, as well as those related to the implementation of strategies and international agreements, and coordinating with relevant university units to ensure effective execution and timely updates to the division.
- Receiving reports from human rights units across university entities (colleges and research centers) and extracting the necessary data and indicators to support the preparation of the division’s annual report.
Data and Archiving Unit
The unit is responsible for collecting, organizing, classifying, and archiving all data and documents related to the division’s operations. This includes the preservation and retrieval of reports, meeting minutes, follow-up documents on agreements, and unit reports. Key responsibilities of the unit include:
- Managing both electronic and physical archiving of all documents related to the division, including annual reports, official correspondence, decisions, activities, plans, and documents tracking the implementation of strategies and international agreements.
- Collecting, classifying, and organizing quantitative and qualitative data and indicators to ensure their readiness for use in report preparation.
- Developing a comprehensive database of programs, projects, and activities related to human rights.
- Creating a database of special groups within the university, including individuals with special needs, residents and inmates, members of minority communities, displaced people, and refugees.
- Establishing and regularly updating a database of audit and investigative committees formed in relation to human rights issues.
- Compiling a database of human rights-related intellectual output produced by university entities such as colleges and research centers.