CPTnet
March 24, 2004

IRAQ: After one year, still no human rights for Iraqis

by Le Anne Clausen

[Note: Clausen wrote the following release on March 19, 2004, but was not
able to send it out due to technical difficulties.]

Nearly one year has passed since the beginning of the U.S.-led war against
Iraq. The U.S. claimed the war would liberate the Iraqi people from a regime
which abused their human rights.

While human rights activists around the world come together this week to
remember the beginning of the war and military occupation of Iraq, a number
of Iraqi and international human rights organizations have also joined
efforts in Baghdad to declare that the Iraqi people still live without
freedom and without human rights.

Since Tuesday, March 16, these groups have sponsored "Days of Solidarity
with Iraqi People Suffering Under Occupation," outlining the human rights
abuses under the U.S. occupation and demanding corrective action. Special
emphasis has been placed on Coalition officials' failure to compensate
families for killings of civilians or destruction of civilian property. The
human rights groups are also highlighting abuses and lack of due process for
Iraqi detainees in U.S. prison camps--including the withholding information
from family members about the state of detainees' health or the charges
against them.

"Last spring after the fall of the old regime, I heard many Iraqis express
hope that their situation would improve and they would live in freedom,"
said CPTer Stewart Vriesinga, in his presentation at the event. "As each
month passes, I see more people lose that hope every day."

On Thursday, March 18, CPT combined its regular Lenten vigil with the
solidarity day activities. After a discussion session with human rights
workers and families of detainees about abuses in the morning, the groups
gathered at Tahrir Square. Dozens of human rights workers, families, and
supporters held photos of loved ones and signs calling for human rights. At
1 p.m., the vigil culminated in a march across the Tigris River to the
headquarters of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA.) People came from
all over central Iraq--from Karbala to Fallujah--to participate in the
event.

The solidarity week has not gone unnoticed by U.S. forces stationed in
Baghdad. On Thursday night at 8 p.m., soldiers entered the property of the
human rights organization at which the activities were being held,
questioned several members of the organization, and tore down some of the
posters discussing specific human rights abuses perpetrated by the military.

CPT-Iraq members agree that the most hopeful part of the current situation
is the energy, dedication and cooperation of the various Iraqi human rights
groups currently working all over Iraq.