Iraq, a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance since November 23, 2010, is called upon to act to locate the victims of enforced disappearance and to provide concrete answers to families seeking truth and justice.
Alkarama has submitted numerous cases of disappearances in the country to the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) that remain unresolved since the American invasion. This Committee, tasked with monitoring the implementation of the Convention, is the United Nations' specialized body to prevent and combat enforced disappearances worldwide.
Alkarama has notably submitted the cases of Khamis Al Ghurery, Ali Alwan Khalaf Al Janabi, Jalal Turki Hammoud Al Shahmani, Raed Al Janabi, Salam Al Boumahidi, and Sami Hamed Ismail Suleiman Al Jehaishi to the Committee on Enforced Disappearances as victims of enforced disappearance. These individuals, abducted between 2015 and 2017 and taken to undisclosed locations, have remained unheard from since.
Alkarama has emphasized that the state is fully responsible, regardless of who perpetrated the abductions, and has urged Iraqi authorities to shed light on their fate.
In this regard, the Committee on Enforced Disappearances has requested Iraq to conduct effective investigations, keep the families of the disappeared informed, and report to the Committee on the measures taken and results achieved.
It is emphasized that Iraq is frequently encouraged to work closely with the Committee as part of the follow-up process to ensure the transparency and effectiveness of the actions taken.
For nearly a decade, Alkarama has submitted thousands of cases of enforced disappearance in Iraq and closely monitors their progress.
Alkarama has also raised this issue during Iraq’s recent periodic reviews before the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the Committee Against Torture, reiterating its commitment to justice and the rights of victims and their relatives.