These days, Iraqi authorities feel free to carry out
arbitrary arrests, physical assault and torture of Iraqi citizens who
participate in peaceful demonstrations. In fact, they have begun to
recruit and utilize of the expertise of the masterminds who were part of
the horrific Baathist regime of Saddam.
We are publishing a statement from the
President of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI)
denouncing the brutal methods of the Iraqi government in dealing with
protestors.
These days, Iraqi authorities feel free to carry out
arbitrary arrests, physical assault and torture of Iraqi citizens who
participate in peaceful demonstrations. In fact, they have begun to
recruit and utilize of the expertise of the masterminds who were part of
the horrific Baathist regime of Saddam. In doing so, they announce the
end of any commitment to human rights stipulated in the Constitution
they have offered to the Iraqi people as a social contract.
Yesterday, on April 13th at 1:45 pm, armed military\secret-intelligence forces arrived in three vehicles, stormed the offices of the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) and also the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq
(OWFI), for the second time in one month. They arrested OWFI affiliate
youth activist Firas Ali, one of the leaders of February 25 Group on
Facebook and in Baghdad’s Tahrir square. Those who raided the building
intimidated all the youth present, calling them terrorists, though they
were the organizing team of a group of demonstrators within Baghdad’s
weekly protests who have clearly shown their peaceful intentions, week
after week. The armed forces immediately blindfolded Firas Ali,
handcuffed him, and took him away, where demonstrators are detained and
tortured with the same feared methods used under Saddam’s reign. The
armed forces had no court order for the arrest of Firas Ali, or for
breaking into the offices.
Alaa Nabil, another youth leader of February 25 Group, was arrested in much the same manner on April 8th,
and he remains in custody. It is thought that he is jailed in one of
the prisons close to the Baghdad International Airport, along with 17
other demonstrators from Tahrir, but it is impossible to be sure.
The Maliki government thinks it can silence the youth,
determined to end what have become the signature characteristics of its
rule – oppression and corruption. All the Saddam-style violations, group
arrests, and torture will not deter the youth from demanding an end to
corruption and to start to an era of equality and freedom, expected in
any civilized society.
The OWFI demands the immediate release of Firas Ali and
Alaa Nabil. OWFI reserves the right to take to court all those who have
given orders for arbitrary arrest, and those who physically assaulted
the youth activists. The OWFI also warns those who consider the further
torture of freedom lovers such as Firas Ali and Alaa Nabil… They will be
pursued, brought to trial for their crimes against humanity, and thrown
in the same prisons they now misuse.
We warn the Maliki government to stop denying the human
rights of the demonstrators, and we demand an immediate official
response, stating any legitimate charges against our activists, their
place of detention, and physical condition. We also hold them directly
responsible for any and all physical abuse or torture which our
activists have been subjected to.
Down with the Baathist oppression
Down with the oppressive and corrupt despots
No more torture of youth activists… Enough is enough!
Yanar Mohammed
OWFI president
April 14, 2011
