Iraq: Treatment by the authorities of female relatives of suspected members/supporters of Al-Dawa party (1998)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ31090.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Treatment by the authorities of female relatives of suspected members/supporters of Al-Dawa party (1998), 1 February 1999, IRQ31090.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aad668.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided during an 11 February 1999 telephone interview with the Political Liaison Director of the Iraqi National Congress (INC), one of the most prominent organizations in opposition to the current Iraqi régime.
The use of female and male relatives to torture and pressure members of the Al-Dawa party has been a common practice in Iraq for a long time. For example, female relatives of Al-Dawa members have been raped in front of their husbands or male relatives in order to force the husbands to talk. In 1980, the Iraqi government passed a decree stating that all Al-Dawa party members or supporters, or people who did not report information on Al-Dawa, should be killed. This decree is still in effect today.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Political Liaison Director, the Iraqi National Congress, London, England. 11 February 1999. Telephone interview.
