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Human Rights - Iraq's first post
withdrawal test
29.9.2010
By Hiwa Osman - ekurd.net |
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September 29, 2010
As fallout of America’s withdrawal from Iraq begins
to take shape, it looks as if it will be some time
before the "new Iraq" can truly stand on its own.
One scathing example of Iraq's political immaturity
was brought to light last week by an Amnesty
International report on the state of the country's
prison system.
The disappointing and confusing reactions to the
report from Iraq's government, security apparatus
and civil society have made it clear that human
rights in Iraq is still an abstract concept. This
needs to change.
The Amnesty report "New Order, Same Abuses: Unlawful
Detentions and Torture in Iraq" claimed that an
estimated 30,000 detainees are being held without
trial in Iraqi prisons. It also found that "Some
detainees have been held in secret detention
facilities and tortured."
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Hiwa Osman, IWPR Iraq’s country director, previously
served as Iraqi president Jalal Talabani’s media
adviser. |
Many prisoners face violence,
psychological abuse as well as other forms of gross
mistreatment, according to the study which was
compiled from interviews with detainees, prison
directors, refugees and activists.
The scope of prisoner abuse listed in the report
underscores the need for a better understanding of
human rights by correctional institutions and
personnel, as well Iraqi politicians and the public.
But that's not all.
The findings serve as a direct contradiction to the
repeated statements of government officials who have
stressed a commitment to uphold the human rights of
Iraqi citizens. In fact, Iraqi officials were quick
to dismiss either the sources or numbers mentioned
in the report.
Although the judiciary, ministry of justice,
security officials, politicians and rights groups
all reacted with different shades of denial, one
point became clear: no official mechanism exists in
Iraq to monitor and report human rights violations.
As it stands, there is no state-run watchdog that
assures the accurate flow of information on rights
abuses to the public, the government and
international community.
An organization such as this would institutionalise
the concept of human rights into the security
culture, and could be a move towards adopting
international humanitarian standards.
A key issue in the debate over the report was the
number of detainees. This should never have
happened. The Iraqi government should have a record
of everyone in custody and make this list available
to the likes of Amnesty and Human Rights Watch.
After all,www.ekurd.nettransparency
is a key guarantor of good practice, good governance
and accountability.
Ambiguity, stark denials and lack of access can have
damaging effects, especially with reputable
international organizations. Iraqis should not
forget that it was these same organisations that
helped expose the former regime and his crimes
against the people of Iraq.
The United States can play an effective role in
preventing Iraq from reverting to its awful past.
Although many in Iraq argue that the human rights
situation was worse when the US forces were in Iraq,
at least they were seen as monitors and enforcers of
due process and procedure.
US military spokesman in Baghdad, Lieutenant Colonel
Bob Owen, said after the release of the Amnesty
report that the Iraqi detention facilities were
"inspected frequently and abide by the rule of law
and international standards for detainee care and
management."
US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley’s
remarks on the report were welcomed by many Iraqis
who fear that the human rights situation could
deteriorate further. Crowley said that respect for
human rights is an important issue in relations
between Washington and Baghdad. "Human rights are a
critical component" of US work "to build up
institutions of the Iraqi government," he added.
One of the things that we in the new Iraq take pride
in is that we are striving to uphold the values of
the free world. America can help us reach this goal.
Washington can help the Iraqi government - and at
times put pressure on it - to uphold the values that
both American and Iraqi blood was shed for.
But this cannot be done by simply dismissing and
denying unpleasant reports. This is achieved through
engaging seriously with rights organizations,
responding positively to their recommendations, and
demonstrating solid steps to prevent further abuse.
The US should encourage the Iraqi government to
study the Amnesty prison report carefully. The
allegations of this study, and previous reports,
must to be taken very seriously to make sure that
the next report is not as damning as this one.
Hiwa Osman
is IWPR’s country director in Iraq, previously served as
Iraqi president Jalal Talabani’s media adviser.
Copyright © 2010 ekurd.net
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