Human Rights Watch called on Tuesday for investigations into the "rampant" use of torture against people arrested on suspicion of belonging to the Islamic State group.

"Torture is rampant in Iraq's justice system, yet judges lack instructions for responding to torture allegations," the watchdog's deputy Middle East director, Lama Fakih, said.

"Defendants, including ISIS suspects, won't be able to get a fair trial so long as the security forces can freely torture people into confessing," she added.

Around 20,000 people were arrested in the three-year battle by Iraqi forces to drive out IS, which had seized swathes of western and northern Iraq in 2014.

HRW found that in 22 of the 30 cases it reviewed in Baghdad, judges had refused to consider allegations of torture.

In several cases, judges ordered forensic medical examinations and found signs of torture, "but did not necessarily order a retrial or investigation and prosecution of the abusive officers", the group said.

Iraq's constitution outlaws "all forms of physical and psychological torture and inhuman treatment".

HRW called on judicial authorities to "investigate all credible allegations of torture and the security forces responsible".

Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council should issue guidelines on the steps judges are obliged to take when allegations of torture in custody arise.

The human rights group said parliament should also pass an anti-torture law, requiring judges to order a medical examination of any detainee alleging torture within 24 hours after being notified.

"When judges convict based on coerced confessions and disregard allegations of torture, they are sending a message to the security forces that torture is a valid investigative tool," Fakih said.

"The Iraqi government needs to do much more to ensure that criminal investigations are genuine and impartial, and that officers who torture detainees are appropriately prosecuted."

Related Links
Iraq: The first technology war of the 21st century

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Iraq street satirists peddle culture change
Kut, Iraq (AFP) July 27, 2018
On a strip of pavement in the southern Iraqi city of Kut, a gaggle of amateur comedians pulls in the crowds every Friday - drawing chuckles, smiles and knowing nods. With a rich repertoire of skits, Khaled al-Atbi and his peers poke fun at politicians more interested in lining their pockets than rebuilding a country devastated by decades of war. "Theatre is a message," said the 42-year-old al-Atbi, director and actor in the seven-strong troupe. "With our satire, we condemn... corruption, la ... read more