Mr. Al-Dainy - Geneva, november 2008 Mr Al-Dainy, an Iraqi Member of Parliament, and a human rights defender was arrested in Iraq last week on Wednesday 25 February 2009 by government forces, on false charges. We have now been informed it appears he was initially released, however now his current whereabouts are unknown and needs to be clarified. It is still believed he has been apprehended by government forces.  Government forces however are denying knowledge of his whereabouts. Many members of Mr Al-Dainy's family have been arrested, including his 85 year old father. We are gravely concerned that he is being arbitrarily detained by the Iraqi authorities and that his life is at imminent risk.

Mr Al-Dainy, Iraqi member of Parliament and human rights defender, was arrested and abducted in Iraq yesterday (25 February 2009) by government forces, on false charges. Government forces are now denying knowledge of his whereabouts. Mr Al-Dainy's family members have also been arrested, including his 85 year old grandfather.

Mr Muntadhar Al Zaidi Alkarama sought the urgent intervention of the Special Rapporteur on Torture with the Iraqi authorities on 19 December 2008 regarding the situation of the Iraqi journalist, Mr Muntadhar Al Zaidi, arrested by the Security Services during the press conference given by the American president, George W. Bush on 14 December 2008, for having thrown his shoes at the president as a sign of protest against his policies in Iraq.

Mr Bashir Al Joorani Alkarama submitted a communication to the Special Rapporteur on Torture on 6 December 2008 to inform him of the death of Mr Bashir Al Joorani following acts of torture inflicted to him after his arrest on 21 November 2008 by agents of the Ministry of Interior.