Iraq: IPU declares Al-Dainy trial a "travesty of justice", calls for his rehabilitation

Iraqi MP, Mohammed Al-Dainy

Alkarama has just been informed of the latest resolution by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)'s Governing Council regarding the case of Iraqi parliamentarian Mohammed Al-Dainy dated 6 October 2010 (at their 187th session). The resolution states in strong terms that Mr Al-Dainy has suffered unfair persecution because of his human rights work, and that his current condemnation to death is the result of a process which "can only be termed travesty of justice". They further call on the authorities to "quash this iniquitous judgement forthwith and to fully rehabilitate Mr Al-Dainy". The resolution is available here.

To recall, Alkarama hosted Mr Al-Dainy in Geneva in October 2008 when he shared information he had gathered on human rights violations by the Iraqi authorities with competent United Nations human rights bodies. Following his visit to Geneva, Mr Al-Dainy was accused in February 2009 of various terrorist actions and sought for arrest. Mr Al-Dainy subsequently disappeared, leading to fears he may have been disappeared by the Iraqi authorities (see Alkarama's previous press release of 26 February 2009). Mr Al-Dainy later re-appeared, having fled the country in fear of his life (see Alkarama press release of 30 May 2010). Shortly before his reappearance, a total of 19 individuals, members of Mr Al-Dainy's family and staff were arbitrarily arrested, detained and severely tortured (see Alkarama's previous press release of 12 May 2009 and 25 May 2009.

In addition to submitting Mr Al-Dainy's case to the UN human rights protection mechanisms, Alkarama has continued to inform the IPU of developments in this case. The IPU continues to follow this case, and remains seized to date. They call on the newly-elected authorities, including the Parliament, to ensure the rehabilitation of their former colleague, who is being punished for having revealed information about secret detention centres in Iraq - secret detentions centres which were later confirmed as existing by the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights, some of whom they revealed as being under the direct control of the Prime Minister Al-Maliki.

While Alkarama is pleased that Mr Al-Dainy's case continues to be followed by the IPU, it is concerning that the Iraqi authorities are not respecting their obligations under international law as called for by the IPU, and calls for the Iraqi authorities to do so. Alkarama also remains extremely concerned about the fate of those who remain detained arbitrarily in Iraqi prisons simply because of their connection to Mr Al-Dainy, who are reported to be suffering serious effects from the severe torture afflicted upon them.

For further information:

Iraq : Arrest and abduction of Mr Al-Dainy, Member of Iraqi Parliament (26 February 2009)

Iraq: Enforced disappearance of Riyad Ibrahim Jassem (12 May 2009)

Iraq: Enforced disappearance of Omar Jasem, Hossein Mansoor and Odey Mansoor (19 May 2009)

Iraq: Disapperance of 11 of Mohammed Al-Dainy's family and staff (25 May 2009)

Iraq: Reappearance of MP Mohammad Al-Dainy (30 May 2009)

Iraq: Alkarama provides information to the IPU Committee for the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (29 June 2009)

Iraq: IPU to further investigate the case of Iraqi MP Mohammad Al-Dainy (27 July 2009)

Iraq: Extrajudicial execution of Hakki Ismail (24 August 2009)

Iraq : Lawyers claim courts ‘comparable to those under the former regime' (2 February 2010)