UNITED NATIONS, Sept 8: UN envoy to Iraq Ashraf Qazi expressed serious concern on Thursday over the human rights situation in the war-torn country, noting that he had repeatedly brought up the issue with various members of the government, the international community and non-governmental organizations.

“There is a continuing concern over the lack of protection of basic human rights in Iraq,” Mr Qazi said in releasing the report on the human rights situation in Iraq for July-August.

“Each Iraqi citizen should enjoy the rights and protections stipulated in international treaties and agreements that Iraq has ratified,” he stressed.

The report, compiled by the UN Assistance Mission for the country (UNAMI) Human Rights Office, also notes the flagrant disregard for human life demonstrated by armed opposition groups, and the impact of special security operations in central and northern areas, resulting in the displacement of population and inordinate suffering of innocent civilians.

UN Security Council Resolution-1546 mandates UNAMI “to promote the protection of human rights, national reconciliation, and judicial and legal reform in order to strengthen the rule of law in Iraq”.

UNAMI’s Human Rights Office will publish the results of its activities on a bimonthly basis, with the next report on the September-October period expected in early November.

Mr Qazi is expected to visit New York this month to present a report on the situation in Iraq and speak about the Iraqi constitution and its impact on the country.