CPTnet
January 23, 2004
IRAQ UPDATE: January 1-17, 2004

[Today's issue of the Toronto Globe and mail has a story about CPT's report
on the human rights abuses committed by Coalition forces against Iraqi
detainees and their families. It can be accessed at
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040119.wabus0119/BNStory/N
ational/?query=milne]

January 1
 The team--Cliff Kindy, Allan Slater, Peggy Gish, Maxine Nash, Sheila
Provencher, Rose and Haven Whiteside--shared a New Year's dinner with an
Iraqi family (See January 7 release, "New Years Day, Baghdad Style.")

Nash was interviewed by Canadian Television (CTV) and shared CPT's concerns
about U.S. detentions of Iraqis and the lack of a transparent and just
system. An Iraqi family told their story about the detention of a loved one
to the news reporter as well.

January 2
The team heard news reports of late night U.S. raids west of Baghdad lasting
for several hours (Operation Iron Grip.) Heavy explosions, jet traffic, and
regular artillery fire occurred throughout the day in Baghdad.

January 3
The Coalition Provisional Agency (CPA) issued Edict 45, asking that all
NGO's register with them. Nash was assigned monitor this request with the
Non-Governmental Organization Coordinating Council in Iraq (NCCI.)

 Provencher, Gish, and Slater talked with Colonel Sabatino, the American
officer in charge of the new legal system in Iraq. The CPTers shared
concerns about the handling of detainee cases and recommended policies that
could be put in place to improve Iraqi life and U.S. security.

January 4
The team learned that vendors on the street are refusing to accept money
with Saddam Hussein's
picture. The banks are issuing new currency.

Slater and an Iraqi friend accompanied another Iraqi to the Iraq Assistance
Center (IAC.) The man they were accompanying had a compensation claim dating
back to September for items seized during a house raid. (U.S. soldiers
admitted they raided the house by mistake.) These items included passports
and personal photos, as well as money and a legal firearm. After they
waited for several hours, he was told to return on Wednesday.

January 5
The January delegation--consisting of Jim Loney, Abe Friesen, David
Hilfiker, Michele Naar-Obed, Kathleen O'Malley, Jocelyn Perry, Patricia
Ruble, and Mary Anne Tangney--arrived.

January 6
The delegation and two team members took testimony on a killing by U.S.
soldiers at a checkpoint (see January 16 release, " Testimony of Iraqi
translator who observed U.S. soldiers kill civilian at checkpoint.")

January 7
Gish and Nash had an interview with ABC regarding the CPT Iraq report on the
human rights abuses of committed by Coalition forces against seventy-two
detainees and their families ( The report is available for downloading at
www.cpt.org/iraq/iraq.php .)

January 8
 Slater began a sit-in at the Iraqi Assistance Center (IAC) to protest the
Coalition Forces' lack of action on compensation claims made by Iraqi
families.
(See January 10 release, " CPTer Alan Slater begins hunger strike at IAC in
Baghdad.")

While Slater was there, heard the following comments:
From a US Colonel: "The US Forces say no property was confiscated. I would
trust an American soldier ten times more than any Iraqi."

From three different Iraqis:
1. "There is no peace or justice here."

2. "Five percent of the Iraqis who come actually receive assistance."

3. 'Your friend will never get his confiscated pictures and money returned.
U.S. soldiers conducting house raids keep the money they find and just throw
worthless things like family photos in the garbage."

The delegation visited Baghdad Police Headquarters. While they were there,
security guards discovered eleven rockets targeting that complex.

January 9
 Provencher and Nash began a home stay with an Iraqi family to immerse
themselves in the Arabic language.

Kindy, H. Whiteside, and Provencher visited Slater at the IAC. He was being
ignored. Later, five armed military personnel escorted Slater out of the
IAC

January 10
 The delegation met with Colonel Mendez, new director of the IAC. The
delegation and four team members, along with staff at the Al Wathba Water
Treatment Plant, participated in a memorial service for George Weber, a
CPTer who died in an auto accident in Iraq one year ago.

Gish and the Whitesides went to the Occupation Watch press conference, which
highlighted human rights violations related to U.S. military operations.
The media was well represented at this event and took advantage of the
opportunity to interview Iraqi families suffering because of these human
rights violations. Gish told the media about Slater's sit-in and fast at the
IAC.

When Slater returned to the IAC Saturday he was immediately confronted by
Lieutenant Hayes who asked him if he planned to stay beyond the closing
time. Slater responded, "Only if there is no solution offered that provides
for the return of confiscated property."

Hayes replied, "In that case we will have to take you to prison." Slater
replied, "OK it is your choice."

Hayes went into a nearby office. At almost the same moment CPTers Peggy
Gish, Haven Whiteside and Rose Whiteside came to sit with Slater. He
updated them on the situation.

In a few moments Hayes returned with Colonel Brennan and several US
soldiers. Brennan told Slater he was going to be taken to an Iraqi prison
not an American one. Slater said, "That will be OK." Gish asked that she
be allowed to go along to see where Slater was being taken. Brennan agreed.
Slater, Gish and Rose were then ushered out of the IAC by Hayes and U.S.
soldiers with guns at the ready. Haven was allowed to stay behind after
agreeing to leave before closing time.

Slater, Gish and Rose Whiteside were taken past the razor wire barricades at
the entrance to the IAC and released. Slater was instructed never to return
and told that doing so would result in charges of criminal trespass. Haven
rejoined the other CPTers on the street after a half hour. Slater continued
his fast for a total of four days as an expression of his concern for the
plight of thousands of Iraqi people who have little hope of ever regaining
possession of property confiscated by US soldiers. <