MOI IG CLAIMS HIGH LEVEL RESISTENCE TO IG EFFORTS;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004379

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2015
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: MOI IG CLAIMS HIGH LEVEL RESISTENCE TO IG EFFORTS;
SOME IMPROVEMENT

Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBERT S. FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B)
AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Ministry of Interior (MoI) Inspector
General (IG) Nori Al-Nori told PolOff on October 18 that
there is some improvement in the human rights situation
within MoI, but there is resistance at the highest levels
to IG efforts in fighting abuse and corruption. Steps have
been taken to reduce corruption and abuse, to include the
conduct of many investigations and punishment of some
officials found guilty of malfeasance. A group of IGs from
various ministries is trying to establish a task force to
monitor detention facilities and prisons, which is also a
mandate of the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR). We have
yet to see results of any of the investigations conducted
by the IG and his focus continues to be on corruption. Al-
Nori requested additional training and regular meetings
with PolOff. U.S. advisors will continue to work closely
with him to address human rights and corruption issues, as
well as to identify training opportunities. END SUMMARY.

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PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
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2. (C) MoI IG Nori Al-Nori told PolOff on October 18 that,
although there is some improvement in the human rights
situation within MoI, there is resistance at the highest
levels to IG efforts in fighting abuse and corruption. He
noted that much of the resistance is coming from the
officers commanding the various units. As a result, said
Al-Nori, corruption and human rights abuses continue
despite steps taken to reduce them.


3. (C) These steps include a hotline installed to respond
to the public's complaints and concerns, the conduct of
many investigations, and punishment of some police
officials for malfeasance. Al-Nori said that, in the last
four months, the IG has opened more than 650
investigations; however, most of these cases relate to
corruption. (NOTE: In addition to providing education on
standards of conduct, the Multi-National Security
Transition Command- Iraq has embedded Special Police
Transition Teams and Police Transition Teams, which provide
Coalition mentorship and monitoring to ensure operations
are conducted in accordance with acceptable standards.
Discrepancies are reported and tracked accordingly. END
NOTE.)

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JOINT TASK FORCE PROPOSAL BY IG'S
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4. (C) Additionally, IGs from the Ministries of Defense,
Human Rights, and Justice -- among others -- have begun to
collaborate, developing a strategy to establish standards
and coordinate their efforts. The group plans to approach
the Minister of Interior with a request that he allow a
joint task force comprising IG staff from various
ministries to inspect MoI detention facilities. (NOTE:
There is currently a section within the Ministry of Human
Rights (MoHR) that is responsible for monitoring and
reporting on the conditions of detention facilities and
prisons. Deputy Minister of Human Rights Aida Osairan told
PolOff on October 24 that she opposes the implementation of
this task force because it would undermine the efforts of
MoHR. She also said that MoHR's IG, who some describe as
anti-Coalition, told her that the task force was his idea.
Osairan said that Acting Minister of Human Rights Narmin
Othman supports the idea. END NOTE.)


5. (C) Al-Nori agreed to provide PolOff with statistics
regarding corruption and abuse cases, as well as their
status and disposition. Al-Nori emphasized the need to
empower the IG system, noting that without independence
(including a separate budget) the IGs in all ministries
would continue to struggle. Al-Nori, who requested to meet
with PolOff on a weekly basis, asked for technical
assistance to help strengthen MoI's human rights efforts.
He also asked for help in identifying training and exchange
opportunities to build up the Directorate's capacity.

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COMMENT
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6. (C) Al-Nori is considered by many to be a leader in
efforts to strengthen the IG system and protect its
independence. (NOTE: There are, however, conflicting
reports about Al-Nori's integrity. END NOTE.) The fact
remains that we have seen no concrete results of
investigations into human rights abuses. His focus appears
to be primarily corruption. In fact, Al-Nori clearly did
not want to discuss the persistent allegations of human
rights abuses by police forces and even got quite defensive
when PolOff pressed him on the fact that it appears police
are committing these abuses with impunity. Al-Nori
eventually ventured to say that he has safety concerns for
himself and his staff and offered to provide PolOff with a
complete list of investigations of human rights abuses. It
remains to be seen whether security concerns are driving
his reluctance to engage on human rights abuse issues or
some other factor. Post will continue to work with Al-Nori
(U.S. advisors regularly liaise with him) and his staff to
address human rights and corruption within MoI, as well as
to try to help support the training of his 1500 persons
office of Inspector General. END COMMENT.

Satterfield