WJWC Report Sheds Light on Grave Violations in Iraqi Prisons

In a newly published report, titled Whispers of Massacre: Iraqi Prisoners Trapped Between Death and Sectarian Executions, Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) reveals alarming evidence of human rights violations in Iraq’s penal system.

The comprehensive report details the systemic abuse faced by detainees, shedding light on the violations of their right to life and physical integrity. Structured into three distinct sections, the report examines the broader legal and human rights context, the dire conditions in al-Nasiriyah Central Prison, and provides actionable recommendations for reform.

The findings are the result of meticulous research conducted through testimonies from former prisoners, legal professionals, families of detainees, and penal system workers. WJWC also incorporated insights from forensic experts and United Nations reports to ensure accuracy and credibility.

The first section of the report provides an overview of the legal framework governing the rights of detainees in Iraq. Despite the Iraqi government’s promises—particularly under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani—to uphold international treaties and national laws, human rights abuses persist unabated. Key findings include overcrowding and inhumane conditions, with Iraqi prisons operating at 300% capacity and 80% of facilities deemed unfit for human habitation.

Detainees face physical abuse, forced disappearances, and ill-treatment often without legal justification. Chronic shortages of food and medical care have led to widespread diseases and epidemics. Fair trials remain elusive, with many convictions based on coerced confessions or unsubstantiated allegations.

The 2005 Anti-Terrorism Law is frequently misused to target individuals without substantive evidence, often relying on reports from secret informants. Currently, 20,000 detainees have been convicted under this law, many sentenced to death or life imprisonment without due process.

The report’s second section focuses on al-Nasiriyah Central Prison, also known as “al-Hout,” a stark symbol of systemic abuse and sectarian discrimination in Iraq. Housing approximately 12,000 detainees, including 8,000 on death row, the prison is rife with humanitarian law violations.

Prisoners endure physical and psychological abuse, extreme overcrowding, and arbitrary restrictions on basic rights. Sunni detainees are particularly targeted, facing beatings, insults, and denial of religious freedoms. Since December 2023, Iraqi authorities have escalated secret executions, with at least 145 recorded between December 2023 and September 2024.

Families and legal representatives are often not informed about these executions. Inmates live in constant fear of execution while medical neglect and unsanitary conditions worsen their plight. Families face additional hardships, including financial extortion, harassment, and restrictions on visits, further compounding the suffering of detainees and their loved ones.

The final section of the report outlines key recommendations for the Iraqi government and international stakeholders. These include improving prison conditions by addressing overcrowding, ensuring humane treatment of inmates, and expediting amendments to the General Amnesty Law to rectify past injustices.

Independent investigations into allegations of torture and coerced confessions should be conducted, with retrials allowed in line with international human rights standards. The report also calls for an immediate halt to all executions and a prohibition on death sentences for crimes not involving premeditated murder.

Amendments to the Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Law are urged to align with international humanitarian law. Additionally, the independence of judges and prosecutors must be safeguarded from political interference, corruption, and violence, with judicial appointments adhering to international human rights standards.

WJWC emphasizes that the ongoing violations and sectarian abuses not only exacerbate the human rights crisis in Iraq but also hinder prospects for social cohesion and national reconciliation. Immediate and transparent action is necessary to prevent further harm and uphold justice. For those interested in the full findings and detailed recommendations, the complete report is available on WJWC’s official website.

For the full report and detailed findings, please click (here)

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WJWC Report Sheds Light on Grave Violations in Iraqi Prisons