Human Rights Perspective on the Iraqi Government's Measures to Address Environmental Pollution

The recent approval of measures by the Iraqi government to tackle environmental pollution, chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, reflects a significant step towards safeguarding human rights in Iraq. Environmental health is intrinsically linked to human rights, particularly the rights to life, health, and a clean environment. The measures discussed during the 42nd regular session of the Council of Ministers address pressing environmental issues that have far-reaching implications for the well-being of Iraqi citizens.

Context of Environmental Pollution in Iraq

Iraq has faced severe environmental challenges, particularly in urban areas like Baghdad, where air quality has deteriorated significantly. This decline in environmental conditions poses direct threats to public health, exacerbating respiratory illnesses and other health-related issues. The government's acknowledgment of these challenges marks a critical recognition of the right to a healthy environment, which is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights.

#### Key Measures and Their Human Rights Implications

1. Monitoring and Data Collection: The Ministry of Environment's commitment to providing modern devices for monitoring pollutants is crucial. Accurate data collection is fundamental for assessing environmental health risks and facilitating informed decision-making. This transparency supports the right to information, empowering citizens to advocate for their health and environment.

2. Regulating Polluting Activities: The decision to halt activities that contribute to pollution, including changing fuel types and implementing emission-reducing technologies, directly impacts public health. These regulations aim to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution on vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly, thereby upholding their right to health.

3. Activation of Environmental Police: Strengthening the role of the Environmental Police to enforce regulations against pollution demonstrates a commitment to accountability. This enforcement is vital for protecting communities from environmental harm and ensuring that violators are held responsible, thus reinforcing the rule of law (ROL) in environmental governance.

4. Afforestation and Green Initiatives: The emphasis on creating green belts and afforestation initiatives not only addresses air quality but also promotes biodiversity and enhances the quality of life in urban areas. Access to green spaces is associated with better mental and physical health outcomes, aligning with the rights to health and well-being.

5. Waste Management Improvements: Establishing regular landfills and transitioning to environmentally friendly waste treatment methods are essential for reducing pollution. Proper waste management is critical for protecting communities from toxic exposure, thereby safeguarding the right to a safe living environment.

6. Support for Sustainable Agriculture: The incentives for farmers to adopt modern irrigation methods reflect a broader commitment to sustainable development. By supporting environmentally friendly agricultural practices, the government is addressing food security and economic stability, which are integral to the right to an adequate standard of living.

Effects on Human Rights and Rule of Law in Iraq

The implementation of these measures is likely to have a profound impact on human rights in Iraq. By prioritizing environmental health, the government is taking steps to fulfill its obligations under international human rights frameworks, which recognize the right to a healthy environment as essential for the realization of other rights.

Moreover, these initiatives can strengthen the rule of law by establishing clear regulations and enforcement mechanisms. A transparent and accountable approach to environmental governance fosters public trust and encourages civic engagement, allowing citizens to hold their government accountable for environmental protection.

Conclusion

The Iraqi government's recent measures to address environmental pollution represent a significant advancement in recognizing and upholding human rights. By linking environmental health to the rights to life, health, and a clean environment, Iraq is taking a crucial step towards ensuring the well-being of its citizens. Continued commitment to these initiatives will be essential for fostering a sustainable and equitable future for all Iraqis, reinforcing the principles of human rights and the rule of law in the process.

The Iraqi government approves measures to address environmental pollution

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired the 42nd regular session of the Council of Ministers today, Tuesday, during which the general conditions of the country were discussed, economic and development files were followed up, and what is related to the implementation of the government program, and the items included on the agenda were discussed and the necessary decisions were taken, including addressing environmental pollution.

The Council discussed the general environmental conditions throughout Iraq, especially in the city of Baghdad and residential urban areas, and considered the submitted reports related to environmental pollution and the decline in scientific readings of air quality, and the causes behind this data, and approved the following:

First / The Ministry of Environment shall take the necessary measures for the following:

1- Providing modern devices and equipment to provide the necessary data in addressing the types of environmental pollutants in a scientific and thoughtful manner.

2- Stopping activities that pollute the environment and all activities that generate forms of pollution, including changing the fuel used in the activity, or using special additives or filters that contribute to reducing polluting emissions.

3- Develop a national program to monitor air quality and emissions from various sources, and determine the necessary requirements to improve air quality in accordance with the Ambient Air Pollution Protection System No. 4 of 2012, and submit a monthly report to the Council of Ministers on the procedures.

Second: The Ministry of Interior shall take the necessary measures for the following:

1- Activate the role and tasks of the Environmental Police in treating environmental waste and limiting polluting events and activities, and taking legal action against violators.

2- Stop waste burning activities in and outside landfill sites, extinguish current fires in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, and conduct periodic security campaigns to monitor all forms of pollution.

3- Strengthen the intelligence effort in the Environmental Investigations Division to follow up on all environmental violations recorded by the Environment Directorates; in order to stop all causes of air pollution in residential areas and outside them.

4- Coordination of the Ministry of Environment with the (CBRN) team of the General Directorate of Civil Defense, regarding measuring pollution levels throughout Iraq.

Thirdly/ The Ministry of Agriculture, the governorates and the Baghdad Municipality shall take the necessary measures to care for the afforestation of the areas surrounding the capital and the governorates, and work on planting them and creating a green belt to reduce air pollution, as well as prevent the destruction of green areas and orchards.

Fourthly/ The Ministry of Oil shall take the necessary measures for the following:

1- Develop a plan to support and oblige the factories and plants that use heavy fuel in their activity, and convert them to use liquefied gas to operate those factories and plants within a period of time not exceeding (6) months.

2- Stop burning oil drilling in the East Baghdad oil field.

3- Add the necessary units to improve the fuel produced in the Dora refinery and treat the gases emitted from the refinery, as well as treat the liquid discharges from it and convert it to an environmentally friendly refinery.

Fifthly/ The Baghdad Municipality and all governorates shall take the necessary and rapid measures to establish regular landfills, in accordance with environmental conditions and improve the efficiency of the environmental conditions of current landfills for waste, in a manner that ensures stopping the burning of waste using traditional methods, and shifting towards establishing investment projects in treating waste using environmentally friendly technologies and mechanisms.

In the agricultural sector and encouraging farmers and cultivators to use modern irrigation methods, the Council of Ministers approved the following:

1- The price of a ton of wheat produced from lands that use irrigation with modern systems will be (850) thousand dinars, with government support of (90%) of the global price.

2- The price of a ton of wheat produced from lands that use traditional irrigation methods will be (800) thousand dinars, with government support of (75%) of the global price.

3- The aforementioned prices are for lands included in the agricultural plan only, while wheat produced outside the agricultural plan is priced at the global market price.

4- Developing an integrated plan that ensures preventing smuggling from outside Iraq, proposed by the parties concerned with the subject to work on it before the start of the marketing season.

5- The Ministry of Agriculture will present the agricultural plan to the Ministerial Council for the Economy to be approved upon receipt.

The Council approved the recommendations of the minutes of the meeting of the Permanent Joint Committee between the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources regarding the winter plan for the season (2024-2025), based on the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq for the year 2005, provided that the committee determines the financial allocations required to implement paragraph (6) of the aforementioned recommendations and the financing mechanism, with the exception of what relates to the plan of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, in which case a meeting will be held in the Ministerial Council for the Economy in the presence of all parties, and its recommendations will be submitted within two weeks.