Category: Unami

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Saturday voiced “deep concern” over the ongoing escalation of protests in Iraq. In a statement, the UNAMI wrote that the situation was “extremely concerning” after agitators stormed the Iraqi Parliament to demonstrate against the nomination of Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani for the Prime Ministerial post. The UNAMI called on involved parties to immediately “de-escalate in the interest of all Iraqis.”

“The ongoing escalation is deeply concerning. Voices of reason and wisdom are critical to prevent further violence. All actors are encouraged to de-escalate in the interest of all Iraqis,” the UNAMI said in a Twitter post.

The ongoing escalation is deeply concerning. Voices of reason and wisdom are critical to prevent further violence. All actors are encouraged to de-escalate in the interest of all Iraqis.

— UNAMI (@UNIraq) July 30, 2022

US ‘closely following’ Iraq, asks all parties to abstain from violence

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Baghdad also called on protestors to resort to peaceful demonstrations, expressing concern over reports of violence. In a statement, the US embassy stated that they are “closely monitoring the unrest in Baghdad today and are concerned about reports of violence.” It added, “We join the call by parties across the Iraqi political spectrum to remain calm, abstain from violence, and resolve their political differences through a peaceful process guided by the Iraqi constitution,” as protestors stormed the capital’s fortified Green Zone. The US embassy in Baghdad also urged protestors to refrain from violence and seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue.

On the other hand, the Arab League also appealed to demonstrators to abstain from violence. “The secretary-general (of Arab League- Ahmed Aboul-Gheit) stresses that getting things out of control will not be in the interest of Iraq or…

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International organizations and world countries have denounced in strongest terms artillery strikes against a tourist resort blamed on Turkey in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, which killed at least nine civilians and wounded more than 20 others.

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) roundly condemned the shelling of the northern Iraqi hill village of Parakh in the Zakho district on Wednesday, and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“Civilians are once again suffering the indiscriminate effects of explosive weapons. Under international law, attacks must not be directed at the civilian population,” the UNAMI said in a statement.

“UNAMI therefore calls for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and emphasizes that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq must be respected at all times.”

The UN mission then urged all parties engaged in military operations in the region to cease any violations against civilians, without delay.

Arab League condemns ‘Turkish attacks’

Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the shelling is an attack on Iraqi sovereignty, and represents a clear violation of international law and a flagrant breach of the principle of good neighborliness.

“The Arab League supports Iraq in rejection and condemnation of Turkish attacks, and that it denounces any encroachment or violation of the sovereignty of any Arab country,” Jamal Rushdie, a spokesperson for the secretary general, quoted Aboul Gheit as saying. 

He called on Ankara to “make recalculations, maintain the principle of good neighborliness in its relations with regional countries, and refrain from carrying out military operations inside the territories of Arab countries under any pretext.”

The Arab Parliament also said it “condemns the brutal Turkish attack on Dohuk province in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, which resulted in the…

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The deadly attack in the Zakho district, took place close to the border with Türkiye.

According to news reports, Iraqi State media claimed that Turkish forces had been responsible for the shelling – a claim refuted by the Turkish Government.

Among the dead was a one-year-old, according to a statement released by the Kurdish health minister, who said the victims had all died before they could reach a hospital.

The UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, reported that a 12 year-old and 16 year-old were also killed. In a statement issued late on Wednesday, UNICEF Representative in Iraq, Sheema SenGupta, said the attack was “devastating proof of the need to stop the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.”

UNAMI expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Civilians suffer again

“Civilians are once again suffering the indiscriminate effects of explosive weapons. Under international law, attacks must not be directed at the civilian population”, said the UNAMI statement.

“UNAMI therefore calls for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and emphasizes that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq must be respected at all times.”

Turkish forces are engaged in military activity in the area, as part of Government counter-terrorism operations against outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, and the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, both of which are seen by Ankara as terrorist groups. The PKK began military action against Türkiye in the mid-1980s.

UNICEF’s Ms. SenGupta added that all children in Iraq, deserve to live their lives without the constant threat of violence, exacerbated by the use of explosive weapons. UNICEF calls on all parties to fulfill their obligations, under international law, to protect children at all times, and without delay.”

…

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Unami Deploys Funding to Advance Cultivated Seafood by Developing Growth Serum and Establishing Spent Media Analysis, 3D Structuring for Prototyping, and Fish Fat Development Collaborations

VANCOUVER, BC, June 16, 2022 /CNW/ – CULT Food Science Corp. (“CULT” or the “Company”) (CSE: CULT) (OTC: CULTF) (FRA: LN0), an innovative investment platform with an exclusive focus on cellular agriculture that is advancing the development of novel technologies to provide a sustainable, environmental and ethical solution to the global factory farming and aquaculture crises, is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, Umami Meats (“Umami“), has recently made significant progress in research and development, recognition and human resources. Based in a Singapore, Umami is a food-tech start-up developing sustainable seafood that is cultivated and not caught.

CULT Food Science Corp. (CSE: CULT, OTC: CULTF, FRA: LN0) (CNW Group/CULT Food Science Corp.)

It has become crucial that companies like CULT and Umami strive to integrate sustainably sourced fish and seafood into the global food security conversation. Historically, the seafood industry has significantly impacted the environment with an estimate that 85% of marine fish stocks are either fully exploited or overfished.1 Also, many fisheries throughout the world throw away more fish than they keep, which is counterproductive to food security.1 To meet overall nutrition requirements and growing food demands, it is predicted that food production must increase by 70% by 2050.2 Therefore, cultivated seafood from Umami, as well as meat products, have the potential to provide protein without further exhausting the world’s natural resources, based on having a higher feed conversion ratio and similar nutritional value to traditional meat.2

Umami’s recent achievements include but are not limited…

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Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) announced on Tuesday that Sinjar Court House has been reopened with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A press statement issued by UNDP’s spokesperson, Mrinalini Santhanam, explained that the Court House, which provides important legal services, was left severely damaged during ISIS occupation, but with generous funding from USAID, UNDP rehabilitated this important facility that serves over 25 thousand people across Sinjar District.

“The project was implemented through UNDP’s flagship programme, the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS). Since 2015, USAID has contributed around 400 million USD to FFS, including over 10 million USD in Sinjar, making it the FFS programme’s leading partner,” according to UNDP press statement.

“To date, USAID has supported around 900 FFS rehabilitation projects, including critical water and electrical infrastructure, as well as schools, housing, and health facilities,” the UNDP statement mentioned.

“The reopening of this facility is an important milestone in the journey to rebuild Sinjar and for the rule of law to prevail in the area,” UNDP Resident Representative in Iraq, Zena Ali Ahmad, mentioned in the press statement.

“Rehabilitating critical infrastructure and restoring essential services such as the Sinjar Court House is key to creating a safe and dignified environment for families choosing to return to Sinjar. Especially, through USAID’s support, UNDP has been able to prioritize support to the Yazidi survivors of genocide as they return and rebuild their lives after years of conflict and trauma,” Ahmad added.

“Restoring access to the judicial system is a critical component of the recovery process. The reopening of the Sinjar Court House is therefore a beacon of hope for the entire Yazidi community. USAID is proud of our work to rehabilitate this essential…

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Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – A high-level United Nations delegation, accompanied by the Chief of Iraq’s National Security Service, visited Al-Hol camp in north-eastern Syria, where they witnessed the horrible conditions of the miserable and sprawling complex of tents in the burning sun, which is the home of thousands of people for many years, according to a press statement issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

“Many people, particularly children, never asked to be part of this desperate situation with no end in sight. However, 50 percent of Al-Hol’s total population (currently about 56,000 individuals) is under the age of 12. They find themselves deprived of their rights, vulnerable and marginalized,” the Spokesperson of UNAMI, Samir Ghattas, explained in a press statement.

“A camp like Al-Hol fuels resentment and inspires terrorists, from breakout operations to large-scale attacks. If left unaddressed, the situation will inevitably impact the region and far beyond,” Ghattas elaborated.

“Keeping people in restricted and poor conditions ultimately creates greater protection and security risks than taking them back in a controlled manner,” the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said.

“Iraq is demonstrating that responsible repatriations are possible, by finding dignified solutions anchored in the principles of both accountability and reintegration. The best and only durable solution is to control the situation, managing returns swiftly and decisively, in the spirit of partnership,” Hennis-Plasschaert added.

“Al-Hol is no place for children. The steps taken by the Government of Iraq are extremely important in the path to solutions. Action by other Member States with citizens in the camp is urgently needed.” the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Imran Riza, mentioned in the UNAMI press statement.

“With the latest transfer on 1 June, over 2,500 Iraqis have been repatriated. But as thousands…

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On Sunday 5 June, a high-level UN delegation, accompanied by the Chief of Iraq’s National Security Service, visited Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria: a desolate, sprawling complex of tents in the scorching sun, and the forced home of tens of thousands of people for many years now. The delegation witnessed first-hand the dire conditions on the ground. This was just a glimpse of the immense challenges Al-Hol residents endure on a daily basis – despite the best efforts of humanitarian actors.

Many people, in particular children, never asked to be part of this desperate situation with no end in sight. However, 50 percent of Al-Hol’s total population (currently about 56,000 individuals) is under the age of 12. They find themselves deprived of their rights, vulnerable and marginalized. The already extremely precarious humanitarian and security conditions have deteriorated further in past months, making the risks associated with this slow-moving catastrophe ever clearer: a camp like Al-Hol fuels resentment and inspires terrorists, from breakout operations to large-scale attacks. If left unaddressed, the situation will inevitably impact the region and far beyond.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert: “Keeping people in restricted and poor conditions ultimately creates greater protection and security risks than taking them back in a controlled manner. Iraq is demonstrating that responsible repatriations are possible, by finding dignified solutions anchored in the principles of both accountability and reintegration. The best and only durable solution is to control the situation, managing returns swiftly and decisively, in the spirit of partnership, to prevent the legacy of yesterday’s fight from fueling tomorrow’s conflict.”

The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Imran Riza: “Al-Hol is no place for children. The steps taken by the Government of Iraq are extremely important in the path to solutions….

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Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – A report issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Thursday mentioned that the continued impunity in Iraq in relation to attacks targeting protesters and activists creates an environment of fear and intimidation that restricts the freedom of expression.

The report published by UNAMI and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) indicated that compensations have been paid to families of most victims killed during protests took place in Iraq in 2019.

The report documented 26 incidents took place between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022 where unidentified militants attacked protesters with the purpose of suppressing opposition. The report is based on 27 individual interviews and meetings with judiciary officials in Baghdad and southern governorates.

The incidents include killing of one female, three killing attempts of a person, five violent assaults, a house raid, 14 improvised explosive device attacks, one kidnapping attack, one property destruction incident and many non-violent threats.

In particular, the report indicated that unidentified gunmen shot a prominent activist in Karbala and a protest coordinator in May 2021.

In October 2019, Iraq witnessed an unprecedented wave of protests spread in the capital and in southern parts of the country where protesters demanded change of the regime. But the movement was faced by a bloody repression that killed more than 600 people, and injured at least 30 thousands.

Although protests no longer occur as much as before, but many activists continued to demand those responsible for the suppression of protests and the killing of activists should be held accountable.

The government headed by Mustafa al-Kadhimi, which took office in May 2020, pledged to prosecute those involved in the killing of protesters and activists.

According to the report, the Iraqi authorities have taken limited steps to investigate…

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