The IIJ's CT PHARE, in partnership with the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq) and with the generous support of the European Union, successfully conducted its first technical mission in support of Iraq’s forthcoming National Counter-Terrorism Strategy 2026–2030. This milestone initiative represents a significant step forward in promoting human rights-based counter-terrorism policies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
This first technical mission is grounded in Iraq’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations, with the objective of aligning relevant recommendations, particularly those related to counter-terrorism policy and practice, with the drafting of the new national strategy. The goal is to strengthen, mainstream, and coordinate a human rights-based approach within Iraq’s evolving counter-terrorism framework.
From 25 to 29 May 2025, the IIJ CT PHARE and a small expert team was in Baghdad, engaging with key national stakeholders including the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA), the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency (FIIA), and a broad range of civil society organisations (CSOs). These discussions helped consolidate strategic objectives, assess progress, and clarify the political and policy dynamics surrounding the development and approval of the upcoming national strategy. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to identify critical gaps in policy, coordination, and practice, and to map additional stakeholders for inclusion in further missions that will be organised in the following months.
A key moment of the mission took place on 27 May, when CT PHARE and EUAM Iraq convened 18 CSOs from across the country for a dedicated consultation on the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The consultation aimed to broaden civil society input beyond national authorities, ensuring that a wider set of perspectives is reflected in the strategy’s design. As one practitioner noted, “inclusive dialogue is not just a process, it is the foundation for building national strategies that are credible, transparent, and build trust in the government institutions.”
This mission was initiated at the request of Iraq’s ONSA and forms part of a broader series of engagements planned under the IIJ CT PHARE facility. Following this first mission, the expert team will begin drafting an initial findings and recommendations note in an Iraq owned and Iraq led process to guide and inform the subsequent missions 2 and 3. This document will identify preliminary content for the national strategy and define key research questions to explore further in the next phases. This ongoing process reflects the increasing demand across the MENA region for technical support that is grounded in good practices, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights.
The IIJ CT PHARE extends its sincere appreciation to EUAM Iraq for its invaluable partnership, and to all Iraqi stakeholders and participants for their openness, insights, and dedication to fostering a more inclusive and human-rights compliant counter-terrorism framework.