Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD1834
2006-05-31 13:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
DEFENSE MINISTRY HUMAN RIGHTS LEAD FOCUSING ON
how-toVZCZCXRO2992 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHGB #1834 1511335 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 311335Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4810 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001834
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTRY HUMAN RIGHTS LEAD FOCUSING ON
PRISON INSPECTIONS; DEVELOPING OTHER CAPABILITIES
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford, for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001834
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTRY HUMAN RIGHTS LEAD FOCUSING ON
PRISON INSPECTIONS; DEVELOPING OTHER CAPABILITIES
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford, for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Summary. In a May 24 conversation, MoD's Human
Rights lead Iman Naji told PolOffs that her office is
developing the capacity to receive and address MoD
human rights abuse complaints, but right now is
primarily focusing on detainee abuse. Naji's
directorate, located within the Inspector General's
office, is comprised of seven staff members. The
members conduct twice weekly inspections of 19 MoD
detention facilities. Her office also receives
personnel complaints and provides follow-up assistance
on an ad hoc basis for MoD personnel who have been the
victims of attacks.
2. (C) Of the detention facilities her office has
visited, Naji complained that one in particular had
shown signs of consistent neglect and abuse: a Muthana
facility belonging to the third Brigade, 6 Division.
According to Naji, detainees in that facility have
been found several times in extremely overcrowded
conditions -- blindfolded, handcuffed and with limited
access to food and sanitary facilities. Naji reported
on May 24 that follow-up action has been taken, and
that those responsible for the abuse were found
negligent and removed from their positions.
3. (C) Naji told PolOff that her office also attempts
to provide ad hoc assistance to employees who have
miscellaneous complaints. For example, her office is
currently assisting a former employee who was fired
for bringing alcohol into the Ministry. In another
example, she told PolOff her office is helping an
employee, who was kidnapped and seriously injured, to
request monetary compensation or other types of
benefits from the MOD and the Ministry of Human
Rights. Overall, she explained, her office is
continuing to develop its role, especially as more
staff is hired. She said she hopes to develop a
comprehensive database that will store, track, and
assess this information. Naji acknowledged that she
does not yet have the personnel capability to do this.
4. (C) Comment: The human rights section within MoD is
still developing not only its capacity, but also its
mandate. We will continue to meet with Naji to
monitor her efforts to track human rights abuses.
Naji who is originally from Baghdad, received her
engineering degree from a college in Mosul. She has
worked at MoD over the past three years and prior to
that she worked at the Ministry of Health.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTRY HUMAN RIGHTS LEAD FOCUSING ON
PRISON INSPECTIONS; DEVELOPING OTHER CAPABILITIES
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford, for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Summary. In a May 24 conversation, MoD's Human
Rights lead Iman Naji told PolOffs that her office is
developing the capacity to receive and address MoD
human rights abuse complaints, but right now is
primarily focusing on detainee abuse. Naji's
directorate, located within the Inspector General's
office, is comprised of seven staff members. The
members conduct twice weekly inspections of 19 MoD
detention facilities. Her office also receives
personnel complaints and provides follow-up assistance
on an ad hoc basis for MoD personnel who have been the
victims of attacks.
2. (C) Of the detention facilities her office has
visited, Naji complained that one in particular had
shown signs of consistent neglect and abuse: a Muthana
facility belonging to the third Brigade, 6 Division.
According to Naji, detainees in that facility have
been found several times in extremely overcrowded
conditions -- blindfolded, handcuffed and with limited
access to food and sanitary facilities. Naji reported
on May 24 that follow-up action has been taken, and
that those responsible for the abuse were found
negligent and removed from their positions.
3. (C) Naji told PolOff that her office also attempts
to provide ad hoc assistance to employees who have
miscellaneous complaints. For example, her office is
currently assisting a former employee who was fired
for bringing alcohol into the Ministry. In another
example, she told PolOff her office is helping an
employee, who was kidnapped and seriously injured, to
request monetary compensation or other types of
benefits from the MOD and the Ministry of Human
Rights. Overall, she explained, her office is
continuing to develop its role, especially as more
staff is hired. She said she hopes to develop a
comprehensive database that will store, track, and
assess this information. Naji acknowledged that she
does not yet have the personnel capability to do this.
4. (C) Comment: The human rights section within MoD is
still developing not only its capacity, but also its
mandate. We will continue to meet with Naji to
monitor her efforts to track human rights abuses.
Naji who is originally from Baghdad, received her
engineering degree from a college in Mosul. She has
worked at MoD over the past three years and prior to
that she worked at the Ministry of Health.
KHALILZAD