Material Listing

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the exact number of missing persons in Iraq is difficult to estimate, however, even low estimates are in the hundreds of thousands. Unfortunately, the process of looking for a family member or loved one can be both complicated and dangerous given the current violence and insecurity in Iraq. The ICRC reports that it can be life-threatening to even ask about a relative's whereabouts, dangerous to make the trip to recover a body if located, and psychologically tormenting to continue to live in doubt and anguish.

The paper claims that historically, "Iraqi women and girls have enjoyed relatively more rights than many of their counterparts in the Middle East." (1) The paper discusses how pre-war Iraqi women's rights were directly connected to, and motivated by, the government's political and economic development policies.

The Basra Security Committee released a report on December 31, 2007, stating that 133 women were killed in Basra last year. The report claims that "79 of the victims were deemed by extremists to be 'violating Islamic teachings,' 47 others died in 'honour' killings and the remaining seven were targeted for their political affiliations. According to the article, prior to 2003, 'Basra was known for its mixed population and active night life." That seems to have changed because women perceived as not respecting Islam are being targeted.

This article argues that occupation authorities deny that there are female detainees to begin with, and there is a different stigma attached to the arrest and detention of Iraqi women than their male counterparts.

The information in these reports is gathered from a variety of resources, including interviews with victims, Iraqi governmental agencies and officials, as well as field visits, when possible and relevant. This report focuses on three categories: Protection of Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Promotion Activities of UNAMI.