Baghdad-5 January 2009- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG) Staffan de Mistura condemns in the strongest terms the attacks targeting pilgrims both yesterday and today. The SRSG described these actions that resulted in the killing of at least forty pilgrims in Al Kadhimiya on Sunday, 4 January and injured scores more, as well as the booby-trap detonated on Monday, 5 January, wounding at least a dozen other civilians as “appalling and unjustified crimes.”

Baghdad-01 January 2009- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq (SRSG) Staffan de Mistura condemned the assassination of Mr. Mowaffaq al-Hamdani, a candidate on the "Iraq for Us" list in Mosul. “The murder of Mr. Hamdani represents the worst kind of election violence, which should not be tolerated,” said Mr. de Mistura.

Baghdad, 29 December 2008-On 20 December 2008, the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) concluded a five day training course for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense on the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law relevant to Iraq. The training program conducted in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, between 16-20 December, is part of a large scale project aimed at mainstreaming human rights into the functions of the Ministries of Defense and Interior, and at helping build their capacities in the various areas of human rights.

Baghdad-24 December 2008-The Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq Staffan de Mistura wishes Iraq\'s Christians, and all Iraqis, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. On this occasion Mr. de Mistura notes the United Nations\' appreciation to the importance of the role Iraq\'s Christian play, and have historically played in maintaining Iraq\'s unique and rich societal fabric, and their contribution to maintaining the country\'s unity in the face of adversity. Mr. de Mistura said, "Iraq\'s minorities, both ethnic and religious, are integral part of Iraqi society and a critical component for the country\'s peaceful and prosperous future."

Baghdad-Monday, 22 December 2008 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq Staffan de Mistura condemned the reported assassination of the Kirkuk based woman advocate Calwiz-Nahla Hussein on Thursday, 18 December. Mr. de Mistura described the assassination as a, "heinous crime that underscores the urgent need for addressing the issue of violence against women in Iraq." The SRSG urged all Iraqi authorities, political components and concerned civil society groups in the country to give the issue of protecting women\'s rights in Iraq as stated in the constitution, the critical priority it deserves.

Baghdad-18 December 2008-On 4 December 2000, the General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December International Migrants Day (resolution 55/93).Ten years earlier the Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (resolution 45/158).