Wijdan Michael

Wijdan Michael Salim (born 1962) is a former Minister of Human Rights in Iraq and currently advisor for development and service for the Prime Minister's Office. She made history by being a woman involved in the crafting of the 2005 Constitution of Iraq.

Work Experience

2013–Present Member of Advisory Commission / Prime Minister Office

2006–2010 Minister of Human Rights – Iraq

2005–2006 Member – National Assembly of Iraq

2004–2005 Member – Iraqi National Council

2004 Member – Baghdad Provincial Council

2003–2004 Member – Karadh District Council

1996–2004 Deputy General Director – Design – Urban Planner – City of Baghdad

1984– 1996 Urban Planner – Master Planning Department – City of Baghdad

Education and Professional Development

-B.S., Civil Engineering – College of Technology – University of Baghdad, 1984.

-Honorary Doctorate, Counterinsurgent Justice/Operation Management / from University of Camp Liberty; Baghdad, Iraq.

Awards and Honors

-Golden Apple "Premio Bellisario" (2010) – International Award for Exceptional Merit awarded to women that have engaged in defending and promoting human rights, peace, solidarity and freedom.

-FFRM Award for Peace and Reconciliation – United Kingdom – (2010)

-Nominee for the U.S. Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award for 2009

-Nominee for United Nations prize in the field of human rights 2008

-Member of Empower Women worldwide group

-Honorary President of Human Rights Institute and Civil Society (NGO)

-Member of National Center for Free Speech (NGO)

-Head of Iraqi National Committee for Missing Persons – (2006–2010)

-Head of Iraqi National Committee studying the United Nations Convention against Torture (CATP) (2008–2011)

-Head of Special Committee for writing Iraqi National Plan for Human Rights – (2008–2011)

-Head of Committee for writing periodic reports regarding Iraqi membership in conventions as part of the (ICCPR, ICESCR, CRC, ICERD, and CEDAW)

-Member of rule of law committee (reviewing the legal & humanitarian situation for prisoners and detainees and reviewing the mechanisms & legalizations which deal with.) 2006–2011

-Establishing the first government institute for human rights in Iraq (2008)

Engineering Field

-Member of various studies for the development of the City of Baghdad, including: river frontage, archeology and heritage law, building codes, and land studies.

-A member of the engineering committee for approval of building designs in Baghdad (1995).

-Member of the special committee to study buildings and land within the taboos of Baghdad metro (1990).

-Committee member for the development of Saddam City (Sader City now) (1986)

-Evaluate the experience of changing the open areas to nurseries in Baghdad.

-Member of committee to approve construction in Baghdad (1995–1997).

-Technical expert in Iraqi courts for cases concerning building laws.

Studies

-The reality of the waste management system in Iraq (2013).

-Legislative and institutional reform for the granting of building licenses for commercial and industrial buildings in Baghdad.

-Developing the river frontage at ABU-NOAS Street (1989). Industrial sites in Baghdad (1992).

-Draft of archeology and heritage law (Also its effects on the city of Baghdad) (1990).

-Height of building in the streets and commercials centers in Baghdad (2004).

-Changing the land use of (AL-RASHEED CAMP, AL-MUTHANA AIRPORT) TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS(2004)

-Change the use of land within the Green Belt of the city of Baghdad.

Training and Courses:

-Study tour on federalism/ Canada and Switzerland sponsored by: forum of federation, Switzerland government and NDI national democratic institute. (February 2006).

-Training about federalist/decentralized constitutional systems through experts from the US, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, and Egypt.

Sponsored by: International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences (Siracusa, Italy). International Human Rights Law Institute, DePaul University College of Law (Chicago, IL, USA)/ Siracusa, Italy (12–22 November/ 2005)

-Work shop (Iraqi women parliaments and the constitution low) Jordan (2005). (United Nations development fund for women).

-Training about federalism/Iraq (2005).

-Training about women’s rights in U.S.A sponsored by the State Department (26 February-15 March 2005).

-Training in media (spokesperson) in U.S.A. (10 October-17 November 2004).

-Training in media convention center/Iraq (2003).

-Course in urban transportation/Iraq (2004).

-Conference (children of Abraham) France (2004).

-Course in environment planning at U.K (1989).

-Course in regional and urban planning (1986).

-Course in gaming-simulation in urban planning (1986).

-Course in master plan preparation and implementation of cities master plans (1985).

Non-Government Organization

-Head of Baghdad league (NGO)

-Honorary president of human rights institute and civil society NGO