Baghdad, Iraq– The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the Ministry of the Interior, and support from the Government of the Netherlands, today opened the Ninewa Criminal Investigation Court.

Led by the esteemed High Judge of Ninewa, Judge Raed Hameed, and a panel of nine judges, the court will be pivotal in ensuring access to justice for the local population and securing the region's long-term stability by ensuring the safety of 500,000 area residents. Since Mosul was occupied by ISIL, the court operated from a municipal building in Tel Kaif district. The new courthouse will move court services related to criminal investigations permanently to West Mosul, enabling greater efficiency and accessibility for those seeking justice. 

UNDP also operates two out of its six model police stations in Mosul. Model police stations tailor police services to the needs of communities and encourage public faith in policing. They are a pillar of UNDP’s citizen-centered security approach within overall security sector reform support. In addition to enhancing community security in Ninewa, UNDP and the Government of the Netherlands have supported the development of ten peace agreements across Ninewa and Kirkuk. The lead-up to these peace agreements has included dialogues with local authorities, religious leaders, community and tribal leaders, women, and youth, resulting in individually tailored recommendations. 

“We are grateful to our long-standing partner the Government of the Netherlands for their support in all aspects of our peacebuilding work in Ninewa Governorate, as well as our strong partnership with the Government of Iraq. Through these projects, we are working together to re-establish trust of the local population in public service delivery, including the delivery of justice,” says Auke Lootsma, UNDP Iraq Resident Representative. 

H.E. Hans Sandee, the Netherlands Ambassador to Iraq, states, “Today’s opening of the criminal investigation court is a landmark in the history of Mosul. It is an important step toward justice and a symbol of hope for the Maslawi and people of Ninewa.”

“The inauguration marks a major milestone for us.  After the city’s liberation from ISIL, courts, public institutions, and schools were destroyed. Then, we started to rehabilitate, with thanks to UNDP. This is an important part of our rehabilitation, to bring life back to Ninewa,” says Mr. Najim Al-Juburee, Governor of Ninewa.

Judge Dr. Faiq Zaidan, President of the Supreme Judicial Council, says, “I congratulate the people of Ninewa Governorate in general, and my fellow judges in particular, on the opening of the new building for the Ninewa Criminal Investigation Court, in cooperation with UNDP, which will support the application of the principle of the rule of law and the achievement of justice in Ninewa Governorate.”

The construction of the Ninewa Criminal Investigation Court was implemented by UNDP’s Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) with support from the Government of the Netherlands. Since 2015, the Netherlands has contributed US$ 107.458 million to FFS and US$ 8.5 million to security sector reform, making it one of UNDP's largest contributors in Iraq. With support from the Government of the Netherlands, UNDP has rehabilitated 49 law enforcement facilities, including four courthouses, five national security buildings, 34 police stations, one police training center, and 10 police directorate offices.

Media contact: 

Miriam Pineau, Communications Analyst | miriam.pineau@undp.org | +964 790 110 1982