7 August 2023
On 15 August, a powerful moment of solidarity will unfold as various Iraqi human rights organisations join forces in a campaign to commemorate victims of enforced disappearance in the country.
This landmark event aims to raise awareness about the gravity of the enforced disappearance crisis, the devastating impact it has on families and communities, and the urgent need for accountability and justice. By coming together,Iraqi human rights advocates strive to amplify their voices and demand greater human rights protections to put an end to this problem and bring solace to the grieving families.
“Sometimes, not knowing the fate of a loved one is harder than knowing that they have passed away. I worked with a mother who wanted nothing but to know the fate of her son, even if that meant at least knowing where he is buried.”
– Maysam Abdullah, Nineveh women’s organisation for women’s affairs
Background: Enforced disappearance in Iraq
Enforced disappearance in Iraq has been a persistent and distressing human rights issue, casting a dark shadow over the country’s social fabric. The perpetrators often operate with impunity, shielded by a culture of fear and a lack of accountability mechanisms. As a result, families are left without answers and are denied the right to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives.
Al-Haq foundation for human rights, Tishreen organisation for human rights, Nineveh Women’s organisation for women’s affairs, Tadaruk for human rights and democracy, Al Deerah foundation for cultural development and human rights, Al-Raja foundation for development and education, and Oma organisation for human rights have been at the forefront of advocating for justice and accountability for the victims of enforced disappearance. These activists work tirelessly to document cases, provide support to affected families, and demand investigations into the perpetrators. They say that the campaign on 15 August is a crucial step in raising awareness about this crisis and pressuring authorities to take action, ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 30 August 2023.
Last April, Impunity Watch joined 70+ international organisations in urging the Iraqi government to tackle the issue of enforced disappearance. Additionally, together with MENA Rights Group, we organised an event at the UN in Geneva on 6 April, which brought grassroots Iraqi voices to react to the report issued by the Committee on Enforced Disappearances and present their ideas to tackle the crisis.
“Enforced disappearance has been used as a tool to spread chaos and fear among people. Absence of law that protects the victims and their families made this tool possible.”
– Ali Aldahamat, Tishreen organisation for human rights
Goals of the campaign
The campaign has two fundamental goals: Raising awareness and demanding accountability and justice for those responsible for enforced disappearance and the crisis of missing persons in Iraq.
The activists want to shed light on the staggering number of missing individuals (estimated by the International Commission on Missing Persons ICMP to be from 250,000 to one million people), the impact on families and communities, and the urgent need for accountability.
By engaging the public and media, the campaign aims to garner support and empathy for the affected families, placing enforced disappearance firmly on the national and international agenda.
“With such campaigns, we hope to get as much attention as possible to the serious issue of enforced disappearance and justice for victims and families in Iraq. We want the media to be there and help raise awareness.”
– Hashim Salah, Oma organisation for human rights
The campaign stands united in demanding accountability for those responsible for enforced disappearances in Iraq. It calls on the Iraqi government to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into each case, ensuring that perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations, are brought to justice.
Fostering unity and solidarity
The initiative also serves as a rallying point for Iraqi human rights organisations and activists, transcending differences and uniting them under a common cause. Through this collective effort, these organisations can leverage their strengths and resources to amplify their advocacy for the missing persons and their families, and build unity.
“As a brother of four forcibly disappeared siblings, I do not feel alone anymore. We are coming together in unity to demand justice. We can now work towards justice together.”
– Khairy AlJabouri, Al Deerah foundation for cultural development and human rights