On October 24th 2007, IF and the University of Baghdad held a ceremony to distribute the prizes for the Human Rights Education (HRE) competition as part of IF's Human Rights Education Project. The competition, which began in March 2007, aimed to motivate Iraqi scholars and encourage local and community involvement in the human rights research field. IF and Baghdad University opened the competition to all departments and schools at Baghdad University. On behalf of the Foundation, Baghdad University president Mr. Moussa Al Mousawi rewarded four university students with a $2,000 prize for the four following winning research papers:

• Strategic National Draft to Protect Scientific Capacity Rights in Iraq
• Civic and Political Human Rights in the Iraqi Constitution
• Iraqi woman: Between the Rise of Ambition and the Dream of Freedom
• Human Rights in Islam

The Iraq Foundation is pleased to announce the Pledge for Iraq (PFI) Campaign has now entered its second phase. The Pledge for Iraq, established in March, 2006, proposes a platform of five laws to guarantee freedom of expression, the integrity of the judiciary, and protection of human rights. The goal of this campaign is to institutionalize this agenda across a broad social and political spectrum. Working with PFI's Board of Directors, IF will continue its watchdog activities, monitoring parliamentary legislation, political discussion in the media, and statements and positions given by government officials. In addition, the Foundation will continue to work with NGO partners throughout the country.

As part of the Human Rights Education Project, the Foundation's Basra office sponsored a two day workshop in the southern governorate Basra for 20 participants. The workshop, which began on October 28, focused on general universal principles and standards of human rights, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as human rights guarantees in the Iraqi constitution and exiting Iraqi legislation. The workshop also discussed ongoing human rights violations in the country and the role of civil society and the government in protecting the rights and freedoms of the people. The workshop included participants from the Basra ministries of health and environment, prison officials at local correction facilities, and representatives of various non-governmental organizations.

The Human Rights Defenders Network (HRDN) published its eighth newsletter in October. These newsletters report on the human rights situation in at least 12 different governorates of Iraq each month. Formed in December 2006 by the Iraq Foundation, HRDN monitors, documents, and advocates for human rights in Iraq's governorates. Published in Arabic, HRDN's monthly newsletters are available on our website. Some newsletters are also available in English.