We who come from Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan have grown up with the painful legacy of Abu Ghraib prison. Before the US army invaded Iraq, different Iraqi governments had imprisoned dissidents and anyone whom they perceived as a threat to their power. Torture, humiliation and summary executions were part of daily life for those incarcerated in Abu Ghraib. It was for many people the point of no return.
In the name of spreading democracy and deposing Saddam Hussein, the US Army – after its occupation of Iraq – continued the legacy of Abu Ghraib, filling it with those they perceived as threats to their power. The CPT Iraq team had a presence in Baghdad, and in October 2002 it was the first organization to report about the torture and mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by the occupation forces.
Abu Ghraib prison was closed down in 2014. It was a place of repression and abuse over 54 years. In Iraq, like many other places, dissidents are still repressed, face constant threats, abuse and sometimes assassination for speaking up against injustice and restriction of freedoms.
CPT Iraqi Kurdistan continues the accompaniment work that was begun by those who came before us, and keeps working against human rights violations and abuses.
Pray for the freedom of dissidents!
Pray for the Freedom of Sherwan Sherwani!
Pray for the continuation of the sacred work of building partnerships to transform violence and oppression!
