Iraq: Authorities Deny Al Aseymi’s Disappearance Despite Video Footage

Alkarama, in collaboration with Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly, sent a communication to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) to highlight the disappearance of Mohammed Al Aseymi, together with his three sons and nephew, since his abduction by pro-government militia in 2006.

On 8 May 2006, Mohammed Al Aseymi, a 67 years old farmer, was at home with his family when 15 armed men entered his house in Baghdad. They arrested him, along with his three sons and nephew, and blindfolded before taking them to an unknown location. To this date, their fates and whereabouts remain unknown.

According to the family, the armed group belonged to a militia linked to the Iraqi authorities. However, and despite a TV documentary broadcasted on Al Rafideen TV in July 2013, showing Al Aseymi in Tasferat prison during a visit by Iraq's former Vice-President, the Iraqi authorities deny their disappearance and refuse to cooperate.

Fearing that the victims be tortured during their incommunicado detention, Alkarama and Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly alerted the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), requesting the UN experts to call upon the Iraqi authorities to investigate their case immediately, to release Mohammed Al Aseymi and his relatives, and to put an end to the practice of enforced disappearances which has been ongoing for years in the country.

For more information or an interview, please contact the media team at media@alkarama.org (Dir: +41 22 734 1007 Ext: 810)