IRAQ: Child prisoners abused and tortured, say activists
Source: IRIN
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BAGHDAD, 25 October 2007 (IRIN) - Iraqi NGOs have raised concerns about the condition of children
in local prisons, saying they are abused and tortured during interrogation. "Children are being treated as adults in Iraqi prisons and our investigations have shown that they are being abused and
tortured," said Khalid Rabia'a, a spokesman for the Prisoners' Association for Justice (PAJ). "Our investigation started after families brought their five sons to our organisation looking for
psychological help for their children who were recently released from prison, and what we found out was shocking," Rabia'a added. According to Rabia'a, child prisoners between 13 and 17 are being
accused of supporting insurgents and militias. Most were detained during Iraqi army military operations in the Baghdad neighbourhoods of Adhamiya, Latifiya, Alawi, Doura and Hay al-Adel. "The five
children showed signs of torture all over their bodies. Three had marks of cigarettes burns over their legs and one couldn't speak as the shock sessions affected his conversation," Rabia'a said. "It
is against international law that protects children and we call for interventions in all Iraqi prisons to save the lives of these children." The Ministry of Interior denied the accusations, saying
children and youth taken for interrogation are released after a maximum of 48 hours without being abused or tortured. A campaign against child abuse is being launched in Baghdad with the support of
Iraq's Vice-President Tarek al-Hashimy. "Iraq respects human rights conduct for children and adults and our prisons aren't used for torture. Earlier scandals were reported and those responsible were
punished. The accusations are wrong and they cannot prove it," Lt Col Ali Khalid Hussein, senior official at the Ministry of Interior, told IRIN. However, another senior official from the ministry,
who requested anonymity and who has been supplying the NGO with daily updates, told IRIN that every Iraqi prison is holding at least 20 children and they are all suffering abuse. Rabia'a said the
NGO had informants in many Iraqi prisons but since they did not want to be named, they could not go to court and prove the abuses were taking place. At least 220 children are believed to be held in
Iraqi prisons. IRIN requested permission to visit the prisons said to be holding child prisoners but the request was denied. as/ar/mw© IRIN. All rights reserved. More humanitarian news and
analysis: http://www.IRINnews.org
