UoD, October 14, 2026 | University Press Office (UNPO) — The Legal Clinic at the College of Law, University of Duhok (UoD), in collaboration with the Duhok Office of the Kurdistan Region’s Independent Human Rights Commission, organised a scientific and social roundtable at the University’s Cultural and Social Center on “Challenges and Shortcomings in the Rights and Conditions of People with Disabilities and Those with Special Needs.” The event brought together representatives of relevant government offices, specialised centres, and university units to discuss the challenges faced by people with disabilities and identify appropriate legal and practical approaches to addressing them.

The roundtable, held on October 14, was attended by Dr. Ary Arif Abdulaziz, Director of the Legal Clinic at the College of Law; Ms. Kistan Jamil Mohammed, Director of Disability Care; and Mr. Diler Abdullah Hassan, Director of the Duhok Office of the Independent Human Rights Commission, alongside representatives of specialised institutions and centres serving people with disabilities.

The discussions focused on listening to the concerns, complaints, and needs of participants and identifying barriers affecting the rights and living conditions of people with disabilities. Participants exchanged views on existing challenges and explored ways to develop appropriate mechanisms and solutions grounded in legal principles and professional expertise.

Key objectives of the roundtable included:

• Identifying challenges: Examining the obstacles that people with disabilities face in exercising their rights and accessing appropriate support.
• Listening to concerns: Providing an opportunity for participants and representatives of specialised centres to share their experiences, needs, and concerns.
• Exploring legal solutions: Discussing potential legal and practical mechanisms to address identified problems and improve the protection of rights.
• Strengthening cooperation: Encouraging coordination among the University’s Legal Clinic, human rights institutions, and specialised centres to support more effective responses.

The initiative reflects the University of Duhok’s commitment to human rights, social inclusion, community engagement, and access to justice, in line with the priorities of its Strategic Plan. By bringing academic expertise into dialogue with human rights institutions and specialised service providers, UoD continues to support efforts to address community challenges, promote awareness of the rights of people with disabilities, and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.

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University Press Office, October 19, 2026

Reported by: Nibar Haji Hussein
Photography: Mohammed A. Tahar

The News Keywords

• University of Duhok
• Rights of People with Disabilities
• Human Rights and Social Inclusion
• Legal Clinic at the College of Law
• Disability Rights in Kurdistan Region