Iraq: Four Women Held in Secret Detention

Alkarama has received reports that Iraqi forces, accompanied by security agents, carried out eight house raids in Al-Adhamiya district, north Baghdad. Eight people were arrested without judicial warrants, including four women, who were taken to a detention center at the Old Muthanna Airport in west Baghdad.

At noon hour on Saturday 5 June 2010, Special Forces of the Iraqi army, accompanied by plainclothes security officers, driving civilian vehicles, carried out house raids on eight civilian homes in Al-Adhamiya. Security forces were looking for explosive devices in a local cemetery. According to reports, one of the intelligence officers involved in the raids had personal problems with several of the targeted families.

The raids resulted in eight arrests, including four women from the same family, who were all arrested without legal justification and taken to a detention center at Old Muthanna Airport in west Baghdad.

During the raid, security officers stole personal belongings, including money, jewelry, and also destroyed furniture.

The detention center at Old Muthanna Airport was the subject of several media and human rights reports in late April 2010. The reports confirmed that it is a secret prison under the command of the Council of the Iraqi Defense Ministry. Evidence suggests that the prisoners are subjected to all types of torture, while it has also been reported that some prisoners have been killed as a result of the torture sessions.

The Iraqi government has denied the existence of secret prisons, while also arguing that torture does not take place. In its response to the reports, the Iraqi government stated that judges and investigators visit the prisons, so it is impossible for them to be considered secret.
Based on this information, Alkarama has called for the immediate release of the detainees in order that they be provided their legal rights. In due course, Alkarama plans to submit their cases to the United Nations human rights special procedures.