As UNITAD is now over: Charting the path toward justice in Iraq.

As the mandate of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/ISIL (UNITAD) ended on 17 September 2024, the future of justice for ISIL's survivors in Iraq remains uncertain. This article provides an analysis of the legal, ethical, and practical challenges arising from UNITAD's closure and flawed operation, with a focus on the fate of collected evidence, and the broader implications for transitional justice in Iraq. It also examines the issues of historic false allegations and wrongful convictions within Iraq's justice system, arguing for reforms and continued international support to ensure that justice is delivered. By situating these discussions within the context of Iraq's post-conflict recovery, the article underscores the international community's ongoing responsibility to uphold justice and human rights in Iraq – and by working with Iraqi actors rather than imposing another Western framework. The article argues for the necessity of comprehensive legal reforms and a survivor-centered approach to justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]