SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
"The abuses of women we documented are in many ways at the heart of the current crisis in Iraq," says Joe Stork of Human Rights Watch.
(Photo: James Gordon/cc/flickr)
Report: Thousands of Iraqi Women Illegally Detained, Tortured, Raped
"The abuses of women we documented are in many ways at the heart of the current crisis in Iraq.”
Feb 06, 2014
Iraqi security forces are illegally detaining thousands of women, subjecting many to torture, abuse, rape, and forcing them into confessions, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch.
In 'No One Is Safe': Abuses of Women in Iraq's Criminal Justice System, HRW reveals a pattern of systemic abuse within a failed judicial system characterized by corruption.
The report estimates that over 1,100 women are detained, often without a warrant, in Iraqi prisons or detention facilities. Frequently, the women are arrested not for their won alleged actions but for those of a male relative.
Sexual abuse during interrogations of women is so common that Um Aqil, an employee at a women's prison facility, told HRW, "[W]e expect that they've been raped by police on the way to the prison."
On top of rape, many arrested women are subjected to electric shocks, beatings, burnings, being hung upside down and foot whipping (falaqa). Following the torture the women may be forced to sign a blank confession paper or one that they are unable to read.
In the video below published by HRW, one woman reveals her story of abuse:
Iraqi Women Abused in Detention(Baghdad, February 6, 2014) – Iraqi authorities are detaining thousands of Iraqi women illegally and subjecting many to torture ...
The report authors write that the failed criminal justice system revealed in the report shows that "Prime Minister al-Maliki's government has so far failed to eliminate many of the abusive practices that Saddam Hussein institutionalized and United States-led Coalition Forces continued."
"The abuses of women we documented are in many ways at the heart of the current crisis in Iraq," adds Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement from the organization. "These abuses have caused a deep-seated anger and lack of trust between Iraq's diverse communities and security forces, and all Iraqis are paying the price."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Iraqi security forces are illegally detaining thousands of women, subjecting many to torture, abuse, rape, and forcing them into confessions, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch.
In 'No One Is Safe': Abuses of Women in Iraq's Criminal Justice System, HRW reveals a pattern of systemic abuse within a failed judicial system characterized by corruption.
The report estimates that over 1,100 women are detained, often without a warrant, in Iraqi prisons or detention facilities. Frequently, the women are arrested not for their won alleged actions but for those of a male relative.
Sexual abuse during interrogations of women is so common that Um Aqil, an employee at a women's prison facility, told HRW, "[W]e expect that they've been raped by police on the way to the prison."
On top of rape, many arrested women are subjected to electric shocks, beatings, burnings, being hung upside down and foot whipping (falaqa). Following the torture the women may be forced to sign a blank confession paper or one that they are unable to read.
In the video below published by HRW, one woman reveals her story of abuse:
Iraqi Women Abused in Detention(Baghdad, February 6, 2014) – Iraqi authorities are detaining thousands of Iraqi women illegally and subjecting many to torture ...
The report authors write that the failed criminal justice system revealed in the report shows that "Prime Minister al-Maliki's government has so far failed to eliminate many of the abusive practices that Saddam Hussein institutionalized and United States-led Coalition Forces continued."
"The abuses of women we documented are in many ways at the heart of the current crisis in Iraq," adds Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement from the organization. "These abuses have caused a deep-seated anger and lack of trust between Iraq's diverse communities and security forces, and all Iraqis are paying the price."
Iraqi security forces are illegally detaining thousands of women, subjecting many to torture, abuse, rape, and forcing them into confessions, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch.
In 'No One Is Safe': Abuses of Women in Iraq's Criminal Justice System, HRW reveals a pattern of systemic abuse within a failed judicial system characterized by corruption.
The report estimates that over 1,100 women are detained, often without a warrant, in Iraqi prisons or detention facilities. Frequently, the women are arrested not for their won alleged actions but for those of a male relative.
Sexual abuse during interrogations of women is so common that Um Aqil, an employee at a women's prison facility, told HRW, "[W]e expect that they've been raped by police on the way to the prison."
On top of rape, many arrested women are subjected to electric shocks, beatings, burnings, being hung upside down and foot whipping (falaqa). Following the torture the women may be forced to sign a blank confession paper or one that they are unable to read.
In the video below published by HRW, one woman reveals her story of abuse:
Iraqi Women Abused in Detention(Baghdad, February 6, 2014) – Iraqi authorities are detaining thousands of Iraqi women illegally and subjecting many to torture ...
The report authors write that the failed criminal justice system revealed in the report shows that "Prime Minister al-Maliki's government has so far failed to eliminate many of the abusive practices that Saddam Hussein institutionalized and United States-led Coalition Forces continued."
"The abuses of women we documented are in many ways at the heart of the current crisis in Iraq," adds Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement from the organization. "These abuses have caused a deep-seated anger and lack of trust between Iraq's diverse communities and security forces, and all Iraqis are paying the price."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.