CPTnet
November 3, 2003
IRAQ: Testimony of an Iraqi minor detained and mistreated by U.S. forces

[Note: CPT members Le Anne Clausen and David Milne recorded the following
statement in a Baghdad neighborhood that U.S. forces frequently raid. It
has been edited for length. People wishing to see the entire statement may
send their request to guest.445947@MennoLink.org.]

"At 2:30 a.m., US troops came to our house, and ordered our entire family
outside. They broke the locks to our cabinet and threw the contents onto the
floor, even though our father gave them the cabinet key so they wouldn't
have to do this. They took our money and a gold wedding necklace belonging
to my mother. My father, cousin, older brother, and I were tied and taken
away.

"We were tied at our wrists with plastic ties behind our backs the entire
night. In the morning, we were put out into the sunlight, as a type of
punishment. We asked for shade, but the soldiers refused. [Temperatures at
the time were 110-120F.]

"The first day, our hands were still tied behind our back. Because of this,
we were unable to drink any water. [The soldiers] refused to re-tie us so
we could drink. We asked if just one of us could be re tied with his hands
in front of him so that he could help the rest of us to drink. The soldiers
refused. The soldiers re-tied us with the plastic ties in front of us on
the next day.

"Another day I asked a soldier for water, because I hadn't had anything to
drink for the entire day in the sun. He beat me on my back and chest, while
another soldier kicked me in the back."

[The son asked his mother to leave the room so he can tell the CPTers
something privately].

"My brother asked for some water. The guard gagged him and began beating
him around his mouth until blood started flowing from his mouth. My
brother screamed in pain. We also screamed. We were then also beaten in
the neck, back, and behind." [The boy indicated that his buttocks were held
apart and he was kicked in the anus.]

"I was released wearing only my underwear and forced to walk back to my home
in broad daylight. Everyone thought from my dress that I had been caught
stealing. I was also badly sunburned.

"The officers told me upon my release, "Don't tell anyone about what
happened here, or we'll come pick you up again."

The boy's mother told the CPT workers that her son has nightmares every
night, and wakes up shaking and screaming.

No soldier has returned to the family's home to tell them why the men in the
family were arrested or what the soldiers were searching for on the night
they broke into their home. The soldiers issued no receipts for the money
and jewelry confiscated.

 The family was able to get information about their relatives' locations
only through lists provided by Christian Peacemaker Team members who are
working with the mosque in their district. The father, brother and cousin
still remain incarcerated at various prison camps throughout Iraq.