Iraq: Information on the treatment of parents who sheltered their sons and sons' weapons after they deserted the army; and information on whether the parents' Assyrian ethnicity or the fact that, although promised, they have failed to return the weapons to Iraqi authorities, would affect that treatment
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ18648.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Information on the treatment of parents who sheltered their sons and sons' weapons after they deserted the army; and information on whether the parents' Assyrian ethnicity or the fact that, although promised, they have failed to return the weapons to Iraqi authorities, would affect that treatment, 1 December 1994, IRQ18648.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaf75c.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. |
A professor of political science specializing on Iraq at Colombia University in New York states that the parents of Iraqi deserters could be taken hostage by Iraqi authorities (5 Dec. 1994). The professor maintains that being Assyrian would not result in harsher than usual treatment since Iraqi Christians, including Assyrians, are not a target of ill-treatment because of their religion (ibid.). However, the parents could face "very harsh" treatment if they promised but failed to return Iraqi army weapons in their possession. The professor did not specify the type of punishment to which they could be sentenced.
According to the attached Middle East Watch report,
[during the period 1991-1992, Iraqi] [s]ecurity forces attempted to track down targeted individuals, including military deserters, returnees from Iran, and those with previous political arrest records. Middle East Watch collected information indicating that family members typically brothers were arrested and detained if the person sought could not be found (Aug. 1993, 4).
The attached Al-Jumhuriyah article contains Decree No. 115 of 25 August 1994 of the Iraqi Revolution Command Council (RCC) stipulating that
the outer ear will be cut off of anyone found in the criminal act of shirking or deserting military service, or anyone providing shelter for the shirker or deserter, and that the other ear will be cut off of those who commit these crimes again. The decree also stipulates that those whose ears are cut off will also be punished by having their foreheads tattooed... (7 Sept. 1994).
The decree provides for execution of a person who "has deserted military service three times, or has shirked it twice, or provided shelter to a deserter three times" (ibid.).
A Voice of Iraqi Islamic Revolution broadcast refers to the seizing of "the movable and immovable properties of deserters and punishing the families that give them refuge" (15 Feb. 1994). The source does not specify the type of punishment.
Referring to the treatment of religious minorities by the Iraqi government, Country Reports 1993 states that
[t]he Government has been less intrusive into the religious affairs of Iraq's Christians a small community of approximately 300,000. Their freedom of worship in churches of established denominations is legally protected, but they may not proselytize or hold meetings outside church premises (1994, 1189).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.
References
Al-Jumhuriyah [Baghdad, in Arabic]. 7 September 1994. "Amputation, Execution for Deserters." (FBIS-NES-94-180 16 Sept. 1994, p. 27)
Country Reports on Human Right Practices for 1993. 1994. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
News From Middle East Watch. August 1993. "Iraq: Background on Human Rights Conditions, 1984-1992."
Professor of political science specializing on Iraq, Colombia University, New York. 5 December 1994. Telephone interview.
Voice of Iraqi Islamic Revolution [Clandestine, in Arabic]. 15 February 1994. "Mujahidin Claim of Attack on Regime Company." (FBIS-NES-94-180 16 Sept. 1994, p. 27)
Attachments
Al-Jumhuriyah [Baghdad, in Arabic]. 7 September 1994. "Amputation, Execution for Deserters." (FBIS-NES-94-180 16 Sept. 1994, p. 27)
News From Middle East Watch. August 1993. "Iraq: Background on Human Rights Conditions, 1984-1992," pp. 4-5.
Voice of Iraqi Islamic Revolution [Clandestine, in Arabic]. 15 February 1994. "Mujahidin Claim of Attack on Regime Company." (FBIS-NES-94-180 16 Sept. 1994, p. 27)
