Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD1923
2006-06-07 16:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER DISCUSSES TRAFFICKING,
how-toVZCZCXRO1186 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1923 1581623 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 071623Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0493 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4936 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001923
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2016
TAGS: PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER DISCUSSES TRAFFICKING,
PRISON ABUSE, AND HADITHA
REF: A. STATE 85549
B. BAGHDAD 01719
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001923
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2016
TAGS: PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER DISCUSSES TRAFFICKING,
PRISON ABUSE, AND HADITHA
REF: A. STATE 85549
B. BAGHDAD 01719
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. C) On June 1, PolCouns delivered talking points
(ref A) on the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report
to Human Rights Minister Wijdan Mikhail Salim.
Salim expressed interest in the issue as well as in
learning more about the data supporting the
assessment on Iraq. PolCouns agreed to assist the
Minister and to continue further discussion on this
issue.
2. (C) The Minister also discussed the May 30
discoveries of abuse in two Ministry of Interior
(MOI) Iraqi National Police (INP) detention
facilities (SEPTEL) located at "Site 4" in central
Baghdad. Salim told PolCouns that her staff is
producing a report condemning the abuses and that
she would present the report to the Prime Minister.
Salim said that she had seen photos from the site
visit and was very disturbed, not only by this
incident, but by daily reports of various abuses in
Iraq. PolCouns urged Salim to push for the
immediate removal of the Site 4 prison directors,
quick resolution in relieving overcrowding, and the
transferal of juveniles from the facility.
3. (C) The Minister also expressed concern about the
Haditha incident. Salim told PolCouns that, during
the last Council of Ministers meeting May 30, the
Prime Minister had raised the issue of Haditha and
decided to establish a committee charged with
looking at the event. PolCouns assured Salim that
the USG takes very seriously the Haditha allegations
and indicated that a vigorous investigation was
underway. PolCouns promised that anyone found to
have committed any crimes would be held accountable.
4. (C) Comment: Though less than two weeks into her
position, Salim appears to be significantly more
interested in the human rights affairs than her
predecessor. Despite not having a background in
human rights, the Minister has demonstrated a pro-
active inclination as well as genuine interest. Her
openness to Embassy officials bodes well for a close
working relationship during the upcoming years.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2016
TAGS: PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER DISCUSSES TRAFFICKING,
PRISON ABUSE, AND HADITHA
REF: A. STATE 85549
B. BAGHDAD 01719
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. C) On June 1, PolCouns delivered talking points
(ref A) on the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report
to Human Rights Minister Wijdan Mikhail Salim.
Salim expressed interest in the issue as well as in
learning more about the data supporting the
assessment on Iraq. PolCouns agreed to assist the
Minister and to continue further discussion on this
issue.
2. (C) The Minister also discussed the May 30
discoveries of abuse in two Ministry of Interior
(MOI) Iraqi National Police (INP) detention
facilities (SEPTEL) located at "Site 4" in central
Baghdad. Salim told PolCouns that her staff is
producing a report condemning the abuses and that
she would present the report to the Prime Minister.
Salim said that she had seen photos from the site
visit and was very disturbed, not only by this
incident, but by daily reports of various abuses in
Iraq. PolCouns urged Salim to push for the
immediate removal of the Site 4 prison directors,
quick resolution in relieving overcrowding, and the
transferal of juveniles from the facility.
3. (C) The Minister also expressed concern about the
Haditha incident. Salim told PolCouns that, during
the last Council of Ministers meeting May 30, the
Prime Minister had raised the issue of Haditha and
decided to establish a committee charged with
looking at the event. PolCouns assured Salim that
the USG takes very seriously the Haditha allegations
and indicated that a vigorous investigation was
underway. PolCouns promised that anyone found to
have committed any crimes would be held accountable.
4. (C) Comment: Though less than two weeks into her
position, Salim appears to be significantly more
interested in the human rights affairs than her
predecessor. Despite not having a background in
human rights, the Minister has demonstrated a pro-
active inclination as well as genuine interest. Her
openness to Embassy officials bodes well for a close
working relationship during the upcoming years.
KHALILZAD