Against Returnees from Syria.. "Amnesty International" Reveals Horrific Violations in Iraqi Center
The pattern of violations at Al-Jadaa center reflects a repeated methodology used by Iraqi authorities to extract forced confessions from detainees returning from Al-Hol camp in northern Syria
October 29, 2024, 4:41 pm

الأمن العراقي

Amnesty International documented in an extensive investigation systematic practices of torture and degrading treatment at Al-Jadaa Community Rehabilitation Center in northern Iraq.

The human rights organization began documenting cases of eight detainees, including one woman and seven men, who were detained at the center during 2023 and 2024, where seven of them were subjected to various forms of torture.

The interviewed detainees explained that torture methods varied between electric shocks, forced painful physical positions, water immersion, and covering heads with plastic bags to prevent breathing, while detainees' families confirmed seeing clear signs of torture on their relatives' bodies.

Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International's Secretary General, stated: "The torture and other ill-treatment endured by detainees at Al-Jadaa center is horrifying. It must be stopped and investigated immediately."

Callamard added: "Iraqi authorities and the UN have agreed to return tens of thousands of Iraqis to Al-Jadaa center from Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria in the coming years. It is unacceptable for Iraqis to flee war and detention for a decade, only to find more horrors awaiting them."

Center statistics revealed the detention of 2,223 people until September 2024, including 1,318 children, 627 women, and 278 men, while it is managed by the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement with support from UN organizations.

The report highlighted the testimony of Mariam, who was detained in 2024 and subjected to electric shocks, beating, and sexual harassment during interrogation, while Mustafa's wife recounted seeing her husband with broken teeth and shattered ribs after his interrogation.

The report stated that six of the eight detainees were subjected to forced disappearance for periods ranging from two weeks to three months, during which authorities refused to disclose their detention locations.

The human rights organization called on Iraqi authorities to immediately stop torture and forced disappearance practices, and retry those convicted based on confessions extracted under torture. It also demanded the UN conduct thorough investigations into the treatment received by detainees at the center.

Levant-Amnesty International

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.