41 child abuse cases reported in Kirkuk, IHCHR says

KIRKUK – Forty-one children under the age of 16 have been victims of abuse in Kirkuk over the past nine months, with most cases involving physical violence and torture, according to the Kirkuk office of the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights. The incidents were recorded between January 1 and September 30, 2024.

Zamya Mohammed, head of the IHCHR’s Kirkuk office, told 964media on Monday that 36 children were subjected to physical abuse, including beatings and torture, while other cases involved psychological and verbal abuse. “Fortunately, no cases of sexual violence were recorded, but family-related issues were the primary cause in many of these cases,” Mohammed said.

While she did not provide data from previous years, Mohammed noted that the number of reported cases has slightly decreased compared to the same period in 2023.

The IHCHR, an independent governmental body, monitors and promotes human rights in Iraq, working to ensure the government upholds international human rights standards. The commission documents violations and advocates for citizens’ rights.

Iraq has made some progress in addressing domestic violence, including the establishment of the Directorate of Family and Child Protection and the appointment of specialized judges for domestic violence cases. However, the absence of a specific law targeting domestic violence against children leaves many cases unresolved or unreported. Though Iraq’s Penal Code prohibits physical violence, the legal framework remains incomplete when it comes to protecting children from abuse.

Najla Azawi, a prosecutor at the Kirkuk court, told 964media that most domestic violence cases brought before prosecutors involve fathers as perpetrators. She warned that such incidents often increase toward the end of the school year. “Last year, we had a case where a public school teacher beat a female student. The case was ultimately settled through tribal reconciliation, and the charges were dismissed,” Azawi said.

Tribal reconciliation, or “Sulh”, is a traditional conflict-resolution practice in Iraq that often allows serious crimes to be mediated by tribal leaders, bypassing the formal legal system. While this practice maintains social harmony, especially in rural areas, it can undermine justice by allowing offenders to avoid legal consequences. This is particularly concerning in cases of domestic violence and honor-related crimes, where victims are pressured to accept resolutions that prioritize social order over individual rights.