8 | PA PE R L E S S PE O PL E O F P O S T- C O N F L I C T I R A Q TERMINOLOGY Legal identity: While there is no internationally agreed definition of ‘legal identity’, it can be understood to mean the recognition of a person’s existence between the law, or the ‘right to have rights’, to which everyone is entitled. Legal identity is based on principles of human rights law, which affirm that people should not be discriminated against on ground of their legal identity, or lack of proof or evidence of their legal identity. Civil documentation: The term civil documentation comprises documents or papers issued by the state as proof or official recognition of people’s right to legal identity and nationality. In practise, to claim and exercise the right to legal identity often requires proof of such, through civil documentation. Civil ID: Officially referred to as the Civil Status ID, this is one of the most important official documents in Iraq and serves as one of the main sources of identification for Iraqi citizens. It is issued through Civil Status Affairs Directorates at the governorate level (under the Ministry of Interior) in accordance with the Civil Status Law No. 65 of 1972, and the Civil Status System Law No. 32 of 1974. Nationality Certificate: The nationality certificate is another key document proving Iraqi citizenship. It is issued through the General Nationality Directorate at the governorate level, under the Ministry of Interior. It is issued in accordance with the Iraq Nationality Act No. 26 of 2006, also known as the Citizenship law. Unified National ID Card: The new unified national ID card, only recently begun to be issued in Anbar, replaced the separate civil ID and nationality certificate. It also includes biometric data such as retinal scans and fingerprints. Public Distribution System (PDS) card: The Government of Iraq has a Public Distribution System, which provides a monthly food ration to all citizens of Iraq. Under this system, each Iraqi is eligible to receive a monthly ration basic food item in exchange for a nominal fee. PDS cards are issued to the head of household, and contain a list of the names of all members of the household. It is managed by the Ministry of Trade. Housing Information/Residency Card: Housing Information Cards are proof of an individual’s place of residence and must be routinely presented as part of the application procedure for other identity cards and for access to a range of services. It is issued to the head of the household, under the Ministry of Interior.