The Hammurabi Human Rights Organization (also known as HHRO), founded in 2005, is a non-profit organization located in Iraq.^[1] The organization focuses on human rights on the local and international level. It also focuses on rights for minority groups within Iraq like Yezidis, Sabian, Mandaen, Turkoman, Assyrians, Armenians and more.^[2] Its goal is to provide not only documentation for human rights abuses but also to provide humanitarian aid in Iraq.^[1] It focuses on vulnerable groups that are more likely to have their rights violated like children and women. To raise awareness about the issues, HHRO publishes an annual report on the human rights situation in Iraq. It looks at what are the violations and who are the violators.^[2]

The ideal of creating the Hammurabi Human Rights organization first started in mid-2003 after there was a shift in the government of Iraq.^[3] Mr. William Warda and Ms. Pascale Warda started the organization in the Nineveh region of Iraq.^[3] Their goal was to get activist involved and to try to expand civil society. They saw that there was a lack of security and more acts of human rights violation across Iraq and decided to act.^[3] It was not until April 1, 2005, that the organization would become an NGO. With the Wardas' coordination, it was able to get activists on board with their ideal and formed an official NGO to promote and protect human rights in Iraq.^[3]

The primary purpose of the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization is to defend human rights on the domestic level (regional and national) then on the international level. To do so, it concentrates on tracking Iraqi government policy and the international treaties that Iraq has signed and ratified. The HHRO monitors the implication of those policies and international treaties, while at the same time trying to watch over the legislative, executive and judicial branches to make sure that none violates human rights. They also work with Iraqi communities to educate them on the importance of human rights, especially for vulnerable groups. To do so, they produce annual reports to showcase the violation of human rights of the Iraqi people and foreigners living in the country. By organizing seminars and workshops they provide opportunities to educate and raise awareness of core human rights issues. The organization also tries to prevent future human rights violations by raising awareness among the three branches of government.^[2] HHRO has also developed, during the years since its creation, key partnership with other organizations in the region to further advance in their goals.

Most of the funding for the organization comes from donations from across the world. All are welcome to join the organization by completing a form. The board of directors are responsible for admitting new members and can have up to 10% of the total amount in the organization.^[4]

The HHRO was created by Pascale Warda, a former Iraqi Minister for Displacement and Migration.^[5] Pascale Warda is an Assyrian and Catholic Iraqi, born in Dahuk.^[6] She has worked with many organizations before creating the HHRO: Assyrian Women's Union, Assyrian Aid Society-Iraq and the Iraqi Women's Center for Development situated in Baghdad.^[6] The co-founder of HHRO is her husband William Warda. He has also been part of different human rights group in the region like Alliance of Iraqi Minorities. William Warda also played a political role in the early 2000s. He served as the leader of the political and military department for the Assyrian Democratic Movement.^[7]

HHRO has an active role in broadcasting human rights violations against minority groups conducted by the terror group IS in Iraq. It has teamed up with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help relay information about the ongoing situation.^[18] The U.S. government has been known to work with organizations like HHRO and others to help understand and find solutions to human rights violations in Iraq.^[19] With the help of organizations like HHRO that have boots on the ground, USAID has a better knowledge of the situation and thus, can have a more precise response to the human rights violation in Iraq.

HHRO is a regional organization focused on the promotion and protection of human rights in Iraq. It has worked with the United States government to help further its agenda since the U.S. was and still is a major player in Iraq. HHRO does not have many international partners. It has been to Jordan to promote its agenda but not to monitor the situation of refuge camps. HHRO has also worked with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.^[17]

In 2013, United States Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns gave the award of Human Rights Defenders to the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization stating that the group demonstrated effectiveness in advocacy for human rights, achievement in protecting female prisoners, and important work in trying to improve religious freedom in Iraq. The group was praised for not only defending human rights and reporting on human rights abuses, but also seeking solutions. It was stated that they are one of the few groups in Iraq that understand that if they want to see real change they have to work with the government and not only oppose it. The award was received by William Warda, Pascale Warda and 13 members of the organization that came from Iraq. This award is given every year to an NGO or activity that demonstrates exceptional work in advocating and playing a leadership role in the protection of human rights.^[20]

The main activities of the organization are monitoring human rights violations, campaigning for the rights of women, children and minorities within Iraq, and providing aid to internally displaced persons in Iraq.^[21][22][23]

The HHRO helped to investigate and document the shooting of civilians in the Haditha massacre.^[24]

The organization takes its name from the ancient Babylonian Code of Hammurabi.

• Thaer Thabet