REPORT: "No One is Safe" The Abuse of Women in Iraq's Criminal Justice System

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Liz Bernstein <lbernstein@nobelwomensinitiative.org>
Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2014 at 12:59 PM
Subject: [StopRapeCom] Iraq - Abuses of Women in Iraq's Criminal Justice System
To: "stoprapecommittee@list.nobelwomensinitiative.org" <stoprapecommittee@list.nobelwomensinitiative.org>

congrats on this Liesl

IRAQ - ABUSES OF WOMEN IN IRAQ'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Direct Link to Full 111-Page Human Rights Watch 2014 Report:
http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/iraq0214webwcover.pdf

Report Summary: http://www.hrw.org/reports/2014/02/06/no-one-safe

February 7, 2014 - Both men and women suffer from the severe flaws of the criminal justice system. But women suffer a double burden due to their second class status in Iraqi society. According to witness accounts and to information numerous civil society activists and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) provided to Human Rights Watch, women are frequently targeted not only for crimes they themselves are said to have committed, but to harass male family or tribal members. Furthermore, once they have been detained, and even if they are released unharmed, women are frequently stigmatized by their family or tribe, who perceive them to have been dishonored.

The abuse of women by Iraqi security forces and violations of their rights by Iraq's judiciary have become increasingly contentious issues.

______________________________________

Liz Bernstein
Executive Director
Nobel Women's Initiative - advocating for peace, justice & equality
430-1 Nicholas St.
Ottawa ON K1N7B7
Canada
Tel: +1 613 569-8400, ext. 111
Fax: +1 613 691-1419
lbernstein@nobelwomensinitiative.org
www.nobelwomensinitiative.org