After One Year, Still No Human Rights in Iraq

Hi everyone, I thought I might pass this latest bit of work I've been
doing on to you. (If you want to know the rest of my daily life, you have
to subscribe to the cpt_iraq list).


---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [cpt_iraq] BAGHDAD: "After One Year, Still No Human Rights" From:
"cptgettingintheway"
Date: Wed, March 24, 2004 1:35 am
To: cpt_iraq@yahoogroups.com
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Iraqi Human Rights Groups: "After One Year, Still No Human Rights for
Iraqis"

by Le Anne Clausen

March 19, 2004 [delayed due to technical difficulties]

BAGHDAD—Nearly one year has passed since the beginning of the U.S.- led
war against Iraq. It was a war that the U.S. claimed would
liberate the Iraqi people from a regime which abused their human
rights.

While human rights activists around the world come together this
week to remember the beginning of the war and military occupation of
Iraq, a number of Iraqi and international human rights organizations have
also joined efforts in Baghdad to declare that the Iraqi people still
live without freedom and without human rights.

Since Tuesday, these groups have sponsored "Days of Solidarity with Iraqi
People Suffering Under Occupation," outlining the human rights abuses
under the U.S. occupation and demanding corrective action. Special
emphasis has been placed on Coalition officials' failure to compensate
for killings of civilians or destruction of civilian
property, and the abuses and lack of due process for Iraqi detainees in
U.S. prison camps—including withholding information from family members
about the state of detainees' health or the charges against them.

"Last spring after the fall of the old regime, I heard many Iraqis
express hope that their situation would improve and they would live in
freedom," said CPT member Stewart Vriesinga (Lucknow, ON), while speaking
at the event. "As each month passes, I see more people
lose that hope every day."

On Thursday, CPT combined its regular Lenten vigil with the
solidarity day activities. After a discussion session with human rights
workers and families of detainees about abuses in the
morning, the groups gathered at Tahrir Square. Dozens of human
rights workers, families, and supporters held signs calling for
human rights and photos of detained loved ones. At 1 p.m., the
vigil culminated in a march across the Tigris River to the
headquarters of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). People came
from all over central Iraq--from Karbala to Fallujah-- to
participate in the event.

The solidarity week has not gone unnoticed by U.S. forces stationed in
Baghdad. On Thursday night at 8 p.m., soldiers entered the
property of the human rights organization at which the event
activities were being held, questioned several members of the
organization, and tore down some of the posters discussing specific human
rights abuses perpetrated by the military.

"The most hopeful thing in all of this is the energy and dedication of
the various Iraqi human rights groups cooperating in this cause. It is
exciting and an honor to work with them." said CPT member Le Anne
Clausen, who also helped with the event.