BAGHDAD, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 25: Men in yellow jumpsuits kept prisoned by Iraqi Army forces eat a meal in a small cell which they share November 25, 2006 on a joint U.S.-Iraqi Army military base in west Baghdad, Iraq. Dozens of detainees are kept at the jail, which was intended to hold prisoners for a few days while they're processed, but often keeps them for months due to backlogs in processing them through the Iraqi system. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
'Blatant violation of the Iraqi Constitution'
Iraqi parliamentary committee expresses concern over reports of torture in detention centers.
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Parliamentary Human Rights Committee has issued a statement expressing grave concern over escalating reports of torture in investigative detention centers. The reports allege the extraction of confessions through force, in violation of basic human rights and dignity.
“These practices represent a blatant violation of the Iraqi Constitution, which guarantees the protection of human dignity, as well as international treaties ratified by Iraq, including the Convention Against Torture,” the committee said in the statement.
The committee emphasized that such violations erode trust between citizens and the state, tarnishing the reputation of Iraq’s legal system both domestically and internationally. “These actions undermine public confidence and portray a negative image of Iraq’s legal framework at the local and global levels,” the statement added.
The Human Rights Committee urged all victims of such practices to submit their complaints and evidence directly to the committee. “We will carefully review all cases and follow up with the relevant authorities to ensure accountability for these crimes and justice for the victims,” the committee pledged.
In addition, the statement called on the government, the Ministry of Interior, and judicial authorities to take immediate and comprehensive measures to end illegal practices. These include enhancing oversight mechanisms for investigative centers and activating independent investigative committees to ensure perpetrators are held accountable in accordance with the law.
The committee underscored its commitment to employing all constitutional and regulatory tools available to curb these alleged violations. This includes summoning officials for questioning, pursuing cases through the judiciary, and advocating for stricter penalties against those proven to be involved in acts of torture.
“Building a state governed by the rule of law begins with protecting human rights and ensuring justice. Any failure in this regard poses a direct threat to the security and stability of Iraqi society,” the statement concluded.
In 2022, the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights called upon national governmental institutions overseeing prisons and inmate welfare to conduct inspections to assess conditions and ensure adherence to human rights standards. The Observatory highlighted reports indicating severe human rights violations in certain facilities, urging the government of Adil Abdul-Mahdi to investigate these allegations promptly. In 2017, the Observatory documented the deaths of two detainees within 70 days in the governorate of Karbala and had previously urged the government to comply with the Convention Against Torture. However, no substantial governmental measures were implemented to prevent such incidents from recurring.
In November 2024, Human Rights Watch reported a surge in unlawful executions in Iraq, highlighting the execution of 13 men in Nasiriyah Central Prison on Dec. 25, 2023. The report raised concerns about due process violations, including lack of prior notice to lawyers or families and credible allegations of torture. HRW urged the Iraqi government to halt pending executions and consider abolishing the death penalty, emphasizing the need for judicial reforms to prevent arbitrary deprivations of life.