Iraq Should Prepare for 'The Day After' Defeat of Daesh

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — Iraq should be preparing for the day after the defeat of the Islamic State by creating an independent judiciary, ending the use of torture and abandoning a mindset oriented toward settling scores, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore said in a statement on Monday.

"The existence of armed conflict in certain regions does not excuse or justify the absence of the rule of law in the broader Iraq," Gilmore stated. "Judicial independence, an end to arbitrary detentions, respect for due process, the prohibition of torture — these are neither ideals nor luxuries, but are indispensable foundations of stability."

Gilmore claimed that Iraq has a long memory, but is short on vision.

"It is like a vehicle travelling over rocky terrain, with a large rearview mirror but only a keyhole for a windscreen, despite a vicious contest for the wheel," she explained.

Gilmore also noted that the dominant narrative among many of Iraq’s leaders is of "my community’s grievance," which has failed to acknowledge the widespread nature of Iraqis’ suffering and failing to chart a course for an inclusive future.

The Islamic State, also known as Daesh, controls large areas of Iraq and Syria, in which it claims to have established an Islamic caliphate. The group is notorious for its brutality and human rights violations, including summary executions of captured opponents and journalists, as well as the execution-style slayings of Christians and other religions minorities.