Iraqi leaders attend human rights meeting

BAGHDAD, July 13 (UPI) -- Human rights is the topic of a 10-day conference in Baghdad for leaders in Iraq's military and government.

Members of the ministries of Defense, Interior, Human Rights and Justice, as well as the Red Crescent Organization are participating in the conference that began Sunday, the U.S. military said in a release.

"In a country where hatred and revenge used to rule the day, a human rights law is a valuable guide with which to move forward," Italian Ambassador to Iraq Maurizio Melani said. "Human beings can't forget past mistakes and will remember for generations the suffering that was endured. Respect for human rights will help to reduce the bitterness."

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeff Julum, senior adviser to the Iraqi army on ethics and leadership development, said a goal of the conference was "to see Iraqis comfortable in growing their ethics practices. Increasing their professionalism in human rights will help to build a strong society. .. The purpose of this conference is to deepen the understanding of human rights in a civil society."