Seven Years of EUJUST LEX: The Challenge of Rule of Law in Iraq

In July 2005, two years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the European Union launched EUJUST LEX (the EU Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq), tasked to address the urgent needs of the Iraqi Criminal Justice System by providing training for high and mid-level officials in senior management and criminal investigation. This mission is an important example of the practical implementation of collective action within the concept of security governance or the projection of EU rule of law standards beyond EU borders as a guarantor for stability. After seven years of operation, EUJUST LEX has trained more than 4,800 Iraqi senior level criminal justice officials in different EU member states. In order to provide a better understanding of the complex rule of law environment in which the mission operates, the article delivers an extensive overview of the institutional set up and functioning of the Iraqi Criminal Justice System as an integral part of the rule of law system in the country, as well as the multiple related challenges Iraq faces. Rule of law reform is a challenging, complex long-term undertaking. Therefore, the article discusses the impact of the seven year contribution of EUJUST LEX on the development of the rule of law sector in the country. Moreover, the article raises some questions with regard to the follow-up of Common Security and Defence Policy mission activities and the evaluation of their effectiveness.