Iraq risks slipping back into authoritarianism, rights group warns

[News_Editor]

Iraq risks slipping back into authoritarianism, rights group warns

2012-01-23 20:08:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK/BAGHDAD (BNO NEWS) -- Iraq risks falling back towards authoritarian rule amid allegations that security forces have tortured detainees at a secret prison, cracked down on freedom of expression and attacked peaceful protesters as well as journalists, Human Rights Watch warned on Sunday.

In its annual World Report, the New York-based human rights monitor voiced its concern about the situation in the country. "Iraq is quickly slipping back into authoritarianism as its security forces abuse protesters, harass journalists, and torture detainees," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Despite U.S. government assurances that it helped create a stable democracy, the reality is that it left behind a budding police state."

In February 2011, Human Rights Watch revealed the existence of a secret detention facility which is controlled by elite security forces loyal to Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. The same forces are also in control of Camp Honor in Baghdad, where Human Rights Watch believes detainees have been tortured with impunity.

Iraq has been rocked by a series of deadly attacks since the last U.S. soldiers withdrew from the country in December, ending its nearly nine-year-long presence in the country. Observers had feared a surge in political turmoil and sectarian violence following the departure of the last U.S. troops.

On December 22, a wave of at least a dozen bomb attacks ripped through Baghdad, killing at least 60 people and injuring nearly 200 others. And on January 5, more than 70 people were killed when a wave of bomb blasts hit Baghdad and the southern city of Nasiriyah where Shiite Muslims had gathered.

Most recently, on January 14, at least 53 people were killed and more than 135 others were injured when a person wearing an explosives belt blew himself up at a checkpoint in a crowd of pilgrims who were visiting the Al-Khatwa mosque near Basra, which is located about 590 kilometers (366 miles) south of Baghdad.

In the weeks before the last U.S. troops left Iraq, Iraqi security forces rounded up hundreds of Iraqis who were accused of being members of the former Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, which opposed Western imperialism and called for the unification of the Arab world into a single state. Human Rights Watch said most of those arrested remain in detention without charge.

But in addition to a crackdown on political opponents, peaceful protesters have also been targeted by Iraqi security forces. In February 2011, at least 12 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured when Iraqis took to the streets to protest against widespread corruption and demand greater civil and political rights. Journalists were also beaten, and their cameras and memory cards were destroyed or confiscated.

In another incident, in June 2011, government-backed thugs armed with wooden planks, knives, and iron pipes, beat and stabbed peaceful protesters and sexually molested female demonstrators as security forces stood by and watched, sometimes laughing at the victims, according to Human Rights Watch.

"After more than six years of democratic rule, Iraqis who publicly express their views still do so at great peril," Whitson said. She said the killing of a popular radio journalist in September 2011 also highlights that journalism remains a 'deadly profession' in Iraq.

"Security forces in Iraq, particularly in detention facilities, violate rights with impunity, and the government too often looks the other way," she said. "The government needs to ensure that there will be genuine criminal investigations and prosecutions of anyone responsible for torture or other abuses."

Last month, the Iraqi Investigation Committee issued an arrest warrant against First Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi and accused him of ordering attacks, including bombings, against government and security officials. It came the same day as Iraqi authorities arrested three of Hashimi's bodyguards and aired their alleged confessions on state-run television.

The bodyguards said they were paid by the vice president to carry out assassinations, but Hashimi has insisted that the confessions were fabricated and that he would defend himself in court. It remains unclear if the men were forced to make the televised confessions. Several of Hashimi's staff members were also arrested.

Also in December, the opposition compared Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to a dictator as he has failed to appoint defense and interior ministers, allowing him to establish control of the country's armed forces.

The Iraqi government did not immediately comment on Sunday's report.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-01-23

[Steely Dan]

Democracy never gets a look in; The entire middle east with the exception of Israel can be defined as a battle between autocracy and theocracy.

[koheesti]

"Despite U.S. government assurances that it helped create a stable democracy, the reality is that it left behind a budding police state."

I hope someone in the US gov't sent them a big F-U letter. I thought they would have a big party now that the USA has left Iraq. But then, how would they justify the horrendous salaries they probably pay themselves out of donations they receive if they stopped bashing? If HRW doesn't like it, let THEM go in and straighten the Iraqis out. Nine years and too many lives and too many billion$ later, Iraq has had open elections and all the help they need to get their shit together. If they are still a few notches down the evolutionary ladder and can't goveern themselves peacefully, that's their problem. They can't say no one tried to help them or gave them many opportunities to get a proper gov't in place. Certainly more than whinging groups like HRW have ever done for them.

Edited January 23, 2012 by koheesti

[GentlemanJim]

"Despite U.S. government assurances that it helped create a stable democracy, the reality is that it left behind a budding police state."

I hope someone in the US gov't sent them a big F-U letter. I thought they would have a big party now that the USA has left Iraq. But then, how would they justify the horrendous salaries they probably pay themselves out of donations they receive if they stopped bashing? If HRW doesn't like it, let THEM go in and straighten the Iraqis out. Nine years and too many lives and too many billion$ later, Iraq has had open elections and all the help they need to get their shit together. If they are still a few notches down the evolutionary ladder and can't goveern themselves peacefully, that's their problem. They can't say no one tried to help them or gave them many opportunities to get a proper gov't in place. Certainly more than whinging groups like HRW have ever done for them.

All this was said and forecast BEFORE the invasion took place. You cannot impose your version of Democracy on other countries and expect it to work, especially in the Middle East. The sad fact is that with what is happening now, what was the achievement and improvement in sacrificing all those men and women from the military (and all the civilians)? What has been the true net gain for the 'people of Iraq'?, what has been the justification to the families of our servicemen who lost sons and daughters?....answer...nothing! The square root of sod all. By saying 'if they can't govern themselves properly that's their problem', is the height of folly. If you are going to invade a country you have to have a realistic reconstruction plan and that does not mean buildings and oil contracts., I mean social reconstruction.

RIP all the fallen in this insane war, but I think they are all assembled in a very large queue to greet some choice US and UK politicians and hold them accountable. Iraq was a crock of shit, it is still a crock of shit...net result ...a lot of lives wasted.

[Credo]

It's called Nation Building. Unfortunately, the Iraqi's had a nation, which first had to be destroyed.

God may have created Man in His own image; but the Republicans couldn't create a democracy in their image.

[GentlemanJim]

It's called Nation Building. Unfortunately, the Iraqi's had a nation, which first had to be destroyed.

God may have created Man in His own image; but the Republicans couldn't create a democracy in their image.

Quite! So lets stop playing God.

[Credo]

I doubt that we are playing God, but then I doubt that God created man in his own image.

There are a few countries who could probably use some help. Not many, but a few and it would be best to concentrate on them.

The Middle East has had a delicate balance for a long time and upsetting that balance, as bad as it may be, causes huge problems in the region.

[koheesti]

The only good news is apparently the Iraqi oil production is back up to where it was before they invaded Kuwait!

[GentlemanJim]

The only good news is apparently the Iraqi oil production is back up to where it was before they invaded Kuwait!

I wonder if thats why unilateral oil sanctions have so swiftly been brought against Iran? Coincidence?

[koheesti]

The only good news is apparently the Iraqi oil production is back up to where it was before they invaded Kuwait!

I wonder if thats why unilateral oil sanctions have so swiftly been brought against Iran? Coincidence?

No, Europe is profiting from their own "war for oil!" in Libya.

[maiphedmaiaroi]

"Despite U.S. government assurances that it helped create a stable democracy, the reality is that it left behind a budding police state."

I hope someone in the US gov't sent them a big F-U letter. I thought they would have a big party now that the USA has left Iraq. But then, how would they justify the horrendous salaries they probably pay themselves out of donations they receive if they stopped bashing? If HRW doesn't like it, let THEM go in and straighten the Iraqis out. Nine years and too many lives and too many billion$ later, Iraq has had open elections and all the help they need to get their shit together. If they are still a few notches down the evolutionary ladder and can't goveern themselves peacefully, that's their problem. They can't say no one tried to help them or gave them many opportunities to get a proper gov't in place. Certainly more than whinging groups like HRW have ever done for them.

All this was said and forecast BEFORE the invasion took place. You cannot impose your version of Democracy on other countries and expect it to work, especially in the Middle East. The sad fact is that with what is happening now, what was the achievement and improvement in sacrificing all those men and women from the military (and all the civilians)? What has been the true net gain for the 'people of Iraq'?, what has been the justification to the families of our servicemen who lost sons and daughters?....answer...nothing! The square root of sod all. By saying 'if they can't govern themselves properly that's their problem', is the height of folly. If you are going to invade a country you have to have a realistic reconstruction plan and that does not mean buildings and oil contracts., I mean social reconstruction.

RIP all the fallen in this insane war, but I think they are all assembled in a very large queue to greet some choice US and UK politicians and hold them accountable. Iraq was a crock of shit, it is still a crock of shit...net result ...a lot of lives wasted.

So true. Bush, cheney and the rest of the gang need to be tried for war crimes BIG TIME.

The axis of evil "usa" are about to embark on destroying another perfectly decent country within the next few months.

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been deleted. The topic is Iraq.

[Pedzie]

How can people expect democracy in this country, decades of mistreatment to shi-ite majority then Saddam gets overthrown. That makes everything fine for a democracy right?!

I think Iraq will end up in a civil war.

[Pedzie]

"Despite U.S. government assurances that it helped create a stable democracy, the reality is that it left behind a budding police state."

I hope someone in the US gov't sent them a big F-U letter. I thought they would have a big party now that the USA has left Iraq. But then, how would they justify the horrendous salaries they probably pay themselves out of donations they receive if they stopped bashing? If HRW doesn't like it, let THEM go in and straighten the Iraqis out. Nine years and too many lives and too many billion$ later, Iraq has had open elections and all the help they need to get their shit together. If they are still a few notches down the evolutionary ladder and can't goveern themselves peacefully, that's their problem. They can't say no one tried to help them or gave them many opportunities to get a proper gov't in place. Certainly more than whinging groups like HRW have ever done for them.

All this was said and forecast BEFORE the invasion took place. You cannot impose your version of Democracy on other countries and expect it to work, especially in the Middle East. The sad fact is that with what is happening now, what was the achievement and improvement in sacrificing all those men and women from the military (and all the civilians)? What has been the true net gain for the 'people of Iraq'?, what has been the justification to the families of our servicemen who lost sons and daughters?....answer...nothing! The square root of sod all. By saying 'if they can't govern themselves properly that's their problem', is the height of folly. If you are going to invade a country you have to have a realistic reconstruction plan and that does not mean buildings and oil contracts., I mean social reconstruction.

RIP all the fallen in this insane war, but I think they are all assembled in a very large queue to greet some choice US and UK politicians and hold them accountable. Iraq was a crock of shit, it is still a crock of shit...net result ...a lot of lives wasted.

So true. Bush, cheney and the rest of the gang need to be tried for war crimes BIG TIME.

The axis of evil "usa" are about to embark on destroying another perfectly decent country within the next few months.

I agree, we have the tinderbox that is the middle east and the west striking matches and throwing them into the region, only a matter of time before the place lights up.

[Wallaby]

Iraq......Mission Accomplished.

[Scott]

Several posts and replies to them have been deleted. Again, the topic is Iraq.

[Exsexyman]

Iraq......Mission Accomplished.

Yes, that statement by GW Bush is looking a bit more stupid every day, thats for sure. Reports just coming in of more suicide bombings in Iraq today, with scores dead and injured. Suicide bombings in Iraq were unheard of before the US invasion. The reality is that any puppet regime that comes to power purely through the military might of a foreign country hasn't got any legitimacy and will have little popular support from the people, as America are finding out in Iraq and Afghanistan, and will shortly be finding out in Libya and Iran. Poor old GW Bush really did believe that the Iraqi people would be so grateful to America for bombing their country and destroying the infrastructure, that they would be showering the conquering heroes with rose petals!