Prisons are overcrowd by 300 percent
Iraq reaffirms commitment to Mandela Rules on prisoners’ justice
NEWSROOM – On Nelson Mandela International Day, Iraq emphasized its commitment to implementing the Mandela Rules to ensure justice for prisoners. Despite efforts by the Ministry of Justice and human rights organizations, challenges such as overcrowding and health issues persist.
Mandela Rules are a set of universal guidelines for the just treatment and management of prisoners adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.
The Ministry of Justice has initiated several reforms, including training correctional officers, alleviating overcrowding, providing adequate room, and incorporating basic education for inmates. Complaint boxes accessible only to the Justice Minister have been established in prisons, according to Ahmed Laibi, Director General of Relations at the Ministry of Justice.
Additionally, the Justice Ministry has partnered with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to support prisoners with illnesses or disabilities, ensuring caregivers are available and providing stipends through the Ministry of Labor.
Earlier this year, the Justice Minister announced that prison capacity had exceeded by 300 percent. To address this, the ministry is taking legal measures, such as expanding parole and enacting an amnesty law approved by the governing State Administration Coalition. Infrastructure projects are also underway, with expansions of several correctional facilities expected to be inaugurated within 15 days.
However, Rahma Abdul Karim, head of the Noor al-Rahma Human Rights Organization, expressed concerns about the implementation of these rules. She highlighted severe overcrowding, health issues like scabies, and the lack of cooperation from the government with civil organizations, which are often denied access to prisons.
“We will present a parallel report to the government’s report, detailing all the failures that have occurred in the prison and inmate management system,” she said.
Iraqi justice minister introduces complaint boxes in prisons
Iraqi integrity commission detains Amara prison food committee, municipal land officials
