Al Rubaie and his cousin Mohammed were on their way to study at the library when they were approached on Abu Dosheer Square by a joint patrol of seven Iraqi soldiers and police agents in official uniforms. Arrested without any reason or warrant, they were put into a military vehicle and disappeared until 8 February 2011 when Mustafa was seen on a video footage. Released on Al Baghdadia TV on the occasion of Vice-President, Al Hashimi's visit to Tasferat prison, it shows Al Rubaie smiling to another prisoner. Yet, despite this visual proof, the authorities continue to deny his detention.

After having overcome their fear of reprisals, Al Rubaie's family had already taken several steps to know more about Al Rubaie's fate and whereabouts, including the filing of complaints with the Ministry of Human Rights, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Justice. But each affirmed that Al Rubaie was not detained in Iraqi prisons.

In light of these information, Alkarama and Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly wrote to Ariel Dulitzky, Chairman of the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances to call upon the Iraqi authorities to release Al Rubaie immediately or at the very least to put him under the protection of the law and authorise his family to visit him. The Iraqi authorities must put an end to the practice of enforced disappearances, in accordance as much with their obligations under international law as with the dignity of each human being, and launch an impartial investigation on all cases reported.

For more information or quotes by Alkarama's Executive or Legal Director or local partners, please contact the media team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Dir: +41 22 734 1007 Ext: 810).