CPT Iraq - Human Rights Testimonies

The Iraqi Police arrested Thabaat Al-Soudany, a human rights worker and resident of Baghdad, on 12 February 2004 on suspicion of stealing Iraqi antiquities. The charges were dropped and he was released on 11 April 2004. The Iraqi Police rearrested him on 29 June 2004, and then dropped the charges again and released him on 25 September 2004. Shortly after his second release he wrote the following account, originally in Arabic, of his experiences inside prisons run by the Interim Iraqi Government. CPT Iraq has edited the following version from its original translated version to correct typos and spelling and grammar errors. Some portions, which were not clear in the translation or were tangential, have been omitted.

EYE-WITNESS at Al-Hilla Prison

…There are three compartments: one for other crimes, one for thefts (known as the “castle”), and one for homicide. These compartments have of a total approximate capacity of 500 prisoners. The compartments are halls built without bathrooms and, astonishingly but truly, without toilets… At night, each occupant takes a tin pail for urination until morning. He who would be afflicted with diarrhea has to purchase diapers.

…The personnel of management and social work are understanding and extremely diligent, honorable and devoted to their professional work. However, they are only an executive body bound to abide by the law and social welfare as to greatly alleviate the hardship of the prisoner. Their work for the service of humanity is to be appreciated. The quotas are justly and timely distributed. Follow-up of the cases and formalities of parole are attended every morning. The social worker queries all occupants two months before termination of their sentences in order to register their names and prepare their parole papers. The food contractor is an elusive person. His lunch is below the required level… Food, particularly for supper, is meager…

I also observed, during my stay in Al-Hilla Prison, two deaths. Health welfare for emergency cases is below standard in hospitals. I don’t know who is the culprit, what is the cause of deaths or who is responsible.

Live Observation at Abu Ghraib Prison

We were transferred from Al-Sha’ab Transition Pool Facility to Abu Ghraib Prison where we stayed for the period 24/8-25/9 [2004].

We were received by the reception department and then to a very dirty cell for about two hours. We were 29 persons. Water was brought in a plastic pail with a plastic cup; lunch was also brought. Thereafter, every 10 prisoners were taken to report to the management office, and then to the safe-keeping room where a careful search was conducted.

Our 10-prisoner group was directed to section A2. For the first time I saw the real prison, the wretched cells, the gloomy face of despair (except from the mercy of God). The occupants of this section were detained for widely diversified cases, some of which do not deserve detention, but others of which were malicious. They were detained over a year ago without examination or trial, or with recurrent postponement of trial. All of this contributes to a blatant violation of human rights.

We have to carefully consider this violation and the extent of its daily effect on the detainee, his family, his career, his earnings, and his family’s livelihood, as well as the material and moral harm to him.

Livelihood

There are sections, each of which consists of 2 floors, each of which consists of 4 square meters cells. There are 8 prisoners in each cell (according to American directive); in some cases there would be 11 prisoners (according to excessive directives of Iraqi, as was the case with me in section B3). The cells are crowded and cannot take in more than 8 persons.

Meals

Calculated bags of meals are distributed for each group of 8 persons. Inequity occurs in such distribution. The meals are, more or less, acceptable… When reference is made to each prisoner’s quota, it is found that what is served does not equal even half of the quota…

Reference is to be made here to brands and quantities of the served red meats. If here were a fair impartial control, it would never accept such servings. Little quantities of bad quality grapes were the only serving of fruits; I saw no other fruit.

Mention should be made to existence of a committee from Ministry of Human Rights. I never saw any member of this committee, for they never followed up such matters. The same is true of the social work department, which does not care for such a matter, too, up to now.

Washing Water and Potable Water

Potable water is taken from taps inside the cells. Most often, there is no flow in them; hence, water is brought from the bathrooms in jerry cans, a pail or a large basin to be placed inside the cells for drinking.

Washing water is from the same source. Most often it would be meager or non-flowing (for unknown reasons). Nobody listens or cares for such complaints. This is what I lived with, and this is what I felt: everybody treats the prisoner as a bad quality human, as if we were in the savage Stone Ages.

Health Care

Right is given for one day in the week per section for treatment or for cases of exigency (which, to them, means an outright coma). Generally, health is below the required standard.

Personal Supplies to Prisoners

The supplies to prisoners consist of underwear, towels, bed sheets, blanket, detergent powders, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste. However, when we accessed the prison and queried how many persons received their dues, we found that less than 5% had received their dues. I personally, received none of the above-mentioned items. I reiterate that upon querying the responsible officials about the matter, we, unfortunately, found large invoice bills.

General Supplies

It was reported to me that there were water coolers in the store, while we spent the summer drinking hot water. It was reported to me that there were air coolers; however, the prisoners lived in a hot atmosphere wearing only underwear (like apes).

It was reported that there were television sets; they were, however, in the store. It was said (and I actually saw) some exhaust fans were in operation, but, in some sections, they were absolutely non-existent. As for bathrooms, the gear had been broken. God only knows when they would be repaired.

Social Work

…The social worker is responsible for the prisoner. The duties of other affiliates (shift officers and shift guards) are different. Any violation by any prisoner shall not be subject to assault or insult; the matter is addressed to the social worker. Reporting to clinics and hospitals is the authority of the social worker. However, in Abu Ghraib, these matters are not in harmony, and you don’t know who is responsible for them.

Another competence of the social worker is the follow-up of the papers of the prisoners (whether a detainee or a sentenced person)… My actual personal experience was that I was delayed more than two weeks (because of the papers). I didn’t know whom I should solicit to finalize my papers. There commenced a series of compromise deals with my parole… The compromise deals are not with the prisoner only, but with his parents/relatives as well, on the pretext of transportation expenses and any other exorbitant expenses; otherwise you would find nobody caring for your problem, even if your parole were delayed more than one month.

For more information see Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Adopt-a-Detainee campaign. Visit Detainee Profiles and Detainee Testimonies sections on CPT’s website.