BAGHDAD, Iraq- Lawyers representing Iraqi families of prisoners have accused the Iraqi government of wrongly concealing information, including the whereabouts of over 1,500 detainees. (IRIN) Government authorities have not revealed whether the detainees are dead or alive, according to the Iraqi’ Lawyers Association (ILA). The fifteen hundred detainees have not been detained for indefinite periods of time. Furthermore, the problem has been compounded because some of the families were not clearly told the reason for the arrested of the detainee.
The US military has stated that it will release up to 2,000 prisoners during Ramadan releasing around 50-80 detainees per day to celebrate the Islamic holy month. (IRIN) However, the Iraqi authorities have not yet followed through with the releases.
Also, the ILA has brought allegations of prisoner torture. The questioned techniques include “hooding, stressing, sleep deprivation, food deprivation and noise,” which the lawyers believe should be stopped. (Guardian Unlimited) The ILA also contends that two lawyers who have actively tried to obtain information from the Iraqi government regarding the conditions have been intimidated and two were killed. (IRIN) The government has denied these allegations and reported that the government has not illegally withheld any information but has vowed to investigate the allegations.
As the Iraqi government tries to establish itself as a new democratic entity, it is essential to convey the freedom of information, which is the strength of a democratic government. This concealment of information by the government compounds a large issue of violating a person’s human rights through detainee torture. The government will gain credibility as a democratic government, only through the government’s transparency.
For more information, please see:
IRIN- IRAQ: Lawyers accuse government of concealing information about detainees- 19 September 2007
Guardian Unlimited- Lawyers accuse MoD of retaining evidence on abused Iraqi detainees- 22 September 2007
