Iraq - Latest Publications

IRQ - News

Iraq: Alkarama Denounces Practice of Enforced Disappearance in View of Country's Upcoming Review by UN Committee

IRQ - News | 01 September 2015

In its latest shadow report on the widespread practice of enforced disappearances in Iraq, Alkarama identifies alarming patterns – in particular the widespread use of secret detention and the abductions committed by government-backed militias – and formulated 14 key recommendations to the authorities to tackle the issue. The report was submitted on 14 August 2015 to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) in view of the country's review during its upcoming 9th session on 7 and 8 September 2015.

Iraq: Enforced Disappearance of Wessam Al Ghazzawi Since his Abduction in Baghdad in August 2014

IRQ - News | 31 August 2015

On 20 August 2015, Alkarama and Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly sent a communication to the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) regarding the case of Wessam Hussein Ali Al Ghazzawi who disappeared since his abduction from Baghdad by Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT) forces in August 2014.

Iraq: Committee Against Torture Presents its Conclusions on the Situation of Torture in the Country

IRQ - News | 19 August 2015

On 17 August 2015, the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT) published its Concluding Observations following their initial review of Iraq. Ahead of Iraq's review on 13 July 2015, Alkarama had submitted a shadow report to the CAT, presenting its main concerns over the situation of torture in Iraq – in particular the lack of a definition of torture, the climate of pervasive impunity and the systematic reliance on confessions under torture by the judiciary. Alkarama's concerns were shared by the Committee, which addressed most of the issues raised by the organisation.

Iraq: Two Policemen Disappeared After Arrest by the American and Iraqi Armies in 2005 and 2007

IRQ - News | 18 August 2015

On 14 August 2015, Alkarama, in cooperation with Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly, brought to the attention of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) the cases of Mohammad Al Dulaimi and Essam Al Obaidi, two Iraqi policemen who disappeared following their respective arrests by the Iraqi Army and the American Army, in 2005 and 2007.

Iraq: Disappearance of Omar Al Samarrai Since His Abduction by Forces Under the Control of the Ministry of Interior in 2007

IRQ - News | 07 August 2015

On 4 August 2015, Alkarama, in cooperation with Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly, sent a communication to the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) regarding the case of Omar Al Samarrai, a 39-year-old Iraqi citizen who disappeared following his arrest by the "Al Hussam" Brigade in December 2007. Since his arrest, Al Samarrai's family has been constantly blackmailed by members of the security services who have been asking for money in exchange for his release.

Iraq - HR Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

ICCPR: Ratified on 25.01.1971
Optional Protocol: No

Last State report: 11.10.2013
Last concluding observations: 19.11.1997

Convention against Torture (CAT)

CAT: Accessed on 07.07.2011
Optional Protocol: No
Art. 20 (Confidential inquiry): Yes
Art. 22 (Individual communications): No

Last State report: 30.06.2014
Last concluding observations: 17.09.2015

International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)

CED: Accessed on 23.11.2010
Art. 33 (Inquiry procedure): Yes

Last State report: 26.06.2014
Last concluding observations: 18.09.2015

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Last review: 11.2014 (2nd cycle)

National Human Rights Institution (NHRI)

Independent High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR) – Status B