Iraq Human Rights
Human Rights Concerns
The human rights situation in Iraq remains dire, with sectarian violence causing the majority of abuses. Bombings and suicide attacks are all too common occurrences. Violations by armed groups are marked by disregard for civilian lives and the basic rules of international humanitarian law. The catastrophic security situation has led to mass movement of civilians, resulting in almost 2 million refugees fleeing to neighboring countries and over 2 million internally displaced persons. Reports of torture, ill-treatment and lack of judicial process at the hands of Iraqi authorities continue. Adequate safeguards against torture and ill-treatment are not in place in Multinational Force detention facilities, and thousands continue to be held without charge or trial.
3,400 Camp Ashraf Residents to be Forcibly Relocated
About 3,400 people will be forced to leave their homes at Camp Ashraf tomorrow, December 15. They are members of the Iranian opposition group People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) from Camp Ashraf, a settlement 60 km north of Baghdad where they have lived since the mid 1980's. Some may also be at risk of being forcibly returned to Iran. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has reportedly announced that Camp Ashraf's residents will be moved to the southern province of Muthanna. Amnesty International fears that forced removals of the residents of Camp Ashraf would put them at risk of arbitrary arrest, torture or other forms of ill-treatment, and unlawful killing.
Amnesty International (AI) is concerned for the safety of Karim Ahmad Mahmood and his three sons, Arslan, Asu and Makwan, Osman Ahmed Hussain, who were arrested and "disappeared" in May of 2000 in the area of Iraqi Kurdistan under the control of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Their fate and whereabouts have remained unknown since. Call for an investigation into their "disappearance." » More actions
Amnesty International: Latest Killing of Civilians in Bombing a 'War Crime'
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the killing of at least 155 people, mostly civilians, in twin suicide bomb attacks in Baghdad on Sunday, OCTOBER 25, 2009. The attacks were carried out almost simultaneously in central Baghdad. A truck bomb was exploded near the ministries of justice and municipalities, just before 10:30am local time. Minutes later a second attack, a car bomb, exploded just outside the Baghdad Governorate building.
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Take Action: Fear of Torture/Medical Concerns for Thirty-six Iranian Nationals
Thirty-six Iranians detained in Iraq are being held at a police station. Iraqi security forces detained the Iranians when they forcibly seized control of Camp Ashraf. Most are reported to have been beaten and tortured after their arrest and at least seven need urgent medical care. They are said to be on hunger strike in protest against their detention and treatment.
UPDATE: ALL 36 DETAINEES RELEASED
The 36 Iranians detained by the Iraqi security forces were released on 7 October, and have been taken back to Camp Ashraf.
The 36 men had been held at a police station, some 25km from the camp, and then moved to a military airbase in Baghdad, despite a judicial order for them to be released. They maintained a hunger strike while they were in custody, and most were in poor health when they returned to Camp Ashraf.
No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.
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