Iraq: Assassination of Iraqi MP Hareth Al-Obaidi

On 23 July 2009 Alkarama addressed itself to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) requesting a preliminary inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Al-Obaidi. The Iraqi authorities have also ordered an investigation, and the IPU should seek to be informed of any developments in this case.

Mr Hareth Al-Obaidi, who was born in 1966, was a Sunni member of the Council of Representatives since May 2009 and head of the National Union Front. He was also vice-chairman of the parliamentary committee for human rights and as such, he recently requested a large-scale investigation about allegations of abuse and torture in prisons. He actively criticized human rights violations committed by security forces in Iraqi detention centers.

After having carried out this investigation, he announced, on the eve of his assassination, his intention to convene the Ministers of Interior, Justice and Defense to respond to questions. Mr Ayad Al-Samarray, the current President of Parliament, described Mr Al-Obaidi as "the most active member of Parliament in the defense of human rights".*

Mr Al-Obaidi was leaving Al-Shawwaf mosque, located in Al-Yarmouk in western Baghdad, after giving a sermon on Friday 12 June 2009, when an unidentified assailant killed him and one his staff before being himself killed shortly thereafter. It was reported that in his sermon, Mr Al-Obaidi, raised the issue of abuse in prisons. Mr Al-Obaidi is one of three MPs who have been killed since the 2005 Parliamentary elections.

It was reported that Mr Ahmed Abed Oweiyed, deputy commander of the military wing of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the assassination.

This is not the first time a parliamentarian concerned with human rights has been the target of violence. We recall in particular the case of Mohammed Al-Dainy, also member of the Iraqi Parliament, who, as a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, has also been very active in denouncing human rights violations in Iraqi prisons. Mr Al-Dainy has lost his parliamentary immunity and is now falsely accused of terrorist activities.

Alkarama has asked the IPU to open an investigation into the assassination of Mr Al-Obaidi and also to remind the Iraqi authorities of their obligation to guarantee his right to life and security as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Iraq ratified on 25 January 1971.

In particular, Alkarama calls on the Iraqi authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the other members of Parliament involved in the defense of human rights in Iraq.

* Iraqi Lawmaker is Buried in State Funeral, Nada Bakri, The Washington Post, 14 June 2009