http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/7bbb04de412c6eb8f84bdbb7582c9e23.htm<snip>The WFO report also pointed out the large number of female inmates currently held in prisons controlled by occupying powers the US and the UK, mentioning the Al-Kadhimiya and Abu-Ghraib prisons in particular. "Based on our records and from anonymous information, we estimate that there are more than 250 women in these two prisons alone," said Muhammad, "who are exposed to different kinds of torture, including sexual abuses."
The Interior Ministry, meanwhile, denied that female prisoners were regularly subject to mistreatment, but added that information on female detainees was confidential. "We're Muslims, and we know very well how to treat our women prisoners," said senior ministry official Ahmed Youssifin.
Former female inmates reject these claims, however, citing numerous abuses. "I was kidnapped and sexually abused," insisted Surra Abdu, who spent two months in al-Kadhimiya prison. "But after I was released and reported the matter to the police, they interrogated me and hurt me more, saying I was in cahoots with my jailers." Abdu added: "Is that the freedom and security offered to us when Saddam was toppled?"
According to the WFO's Muhammad, government claims that female inmates are not mistreated is belied by abundant physical evidence to the contrary. "It's very difficult to believe women are being well-treated in Iraqi prisons," he said. "Many times have I seen signs of torture and beatings on their faces after they were released."
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
