Iraq: Ethnic cleansing in Diyala province
Executive Summary:
Diyala province is witnessing an unprecedented increase in the displacement and killings of people on an ethnic and sectarian basis that has been taking place since the beginning of 2016.
This seems to be a continuation of well-planned operations ongoing in the province since the US-led invasion in 2003. The evidence and testimonies derived from the facts on the ground confirmed that this is a major international crime underway, that has been well planned and systematically executed and is coherent with the results of an implementation process that takes place on several episodes, with the participation of associated powers existing within Iraq’s current state organs and orchestrated through its branches and units.
The Iraqi authorities are covertly trying to reduce their guilt, by saying the perpetrators are forces from outside the realms of law, which they further conveniently have labelled as “terrorists.” The authorities know full and well that these acts of violence are organized and ongoing operations, carried out by militia forces associated with and backed by them, under an umbrella name of “Al Hashid al Shaibi” or commonly known in English as “Popular Mobilization Forces” or “PMF”. This state backed militia acts on orders of the government and are thus treated like any other security organ within the arms of the law, this gives them immunity from any form of legal prosecution in Iraq.
GICJ will later publish more documented information and evidence in regards to these crimes, some of which have been obtained by the government as well as local authorities, emphasizing the active participation of the organs of power in the implementation of this heinous crime which is done due to the ethnic and ideological background of the victims, the crime this time being directed intentionally against one specific category; the Sunni Arabs. This particular community is facing death, displacement and detention of hundreds of thousands of its members. There are also widespread cases of house demolitions and looting. The burning and desecration of their mosques, together with the humiliation and insult of their imams and preachers is a clear policy that aims at deliberately degrading their dignity in front of the community and their peers.
Geneva International Centre for Justice strongly accuses the government of Haider al-Abadi, of being legally responsible in being engaged unequivocally and intentionally in committing a crime of "ethnic cleansing" on the grounds of ethnicity and religion in the Diyala province of the Republic of Iraq.
Hence, the international community as a whole and in the forefront of it the United Nations bodies, particularly the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court, the United Nations Committee on the prevention of the occurrence of the crime of genocide, the United Nations offices in Iraq, members of the United Nations, regional groups (the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference), have the legal and moral responsibility imposed on them to intervene immediately and without delay, to stop the ongoing progression of this crime in accordance with the clear responsibilities set forth in their charters and conventions.
GICJ calls on them to take all measures in order to refer the situation to international or local adjudication and to prosecute all those involved in this crime against humanity to prevent the aggravation of the situation and an increase in the number of victims.
Diyala province is witnessing an unprecedented increase in the displacement and killings of people on an ethnic and sectarian basis that has been taking place since the beginning of 2016.
This seems to be a continuation of well-planned operations ongoing in the province since the US-led invasion in 2003. The evidence and testimonies derived from the facts on the ground confirmed that this is a major international crime underway, that has been well planned and systematically executed and is coherent with the results of an implementation process that takes place on several episodes, with the participation of associated powers existing within Iraq’s current state organs and orchestrated through its branches and units.
The Iraqi authorities are covertly trying to reduce their guilt, by saying the perpetrators are forces from outside the realms of law, which they further conveniently have labelled as “terrorists.” The authorities know full and well that these acts of violence are organized and ongoing operations, carried out by militia forces associated with and backed by them, under an umbrella name of “Al Hashid al Shaibi” or commonly known in English as “Popular Mobilization Forces” or “PMF”. This state backed militia acts on orders of the government and are thus treated like any other security organ within the arms of the law, this gives them immunity from any form of legal prosecution in Iraq.
GICJ will later publish more documented information and evidence in regards to these crimes, some of which have been obtained by the government as well as local authorities, emphasizing the active participation of the organs of power in the implementation of this heinous crime which is done due to the ethnic and ideological background of the victims, the crime this time being directed intentionally against one specific category; the Sunni Arabs. This particular community is facing death, displacement and detention of hundreds of thousands of its members. There are also widespread cases of house demolitions and looting. The burning and desecration of their mosques, together with the humiliation and insult of their imams and preachers is a clear policy that aims at deliberately degrading their dignity in front of the community and their peers.
Geneva International Centre for Justice strongly accuses the government of Haider al-Abadi, of being legally responsible in being engaged unequivocally and intentionally in committing a crime of "ethnic cleansing" on the grounds of ethnicity and religion in the Diyala province of the Republic of Iraq.
Hence, the international community as a whole and in the forefront of it the United Nations bodies, particularly the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court, the United Nations Committee on the prevention of the occurrence of the crime of genocide, the United Nations offices in Iraq, members of the United Nations, regional groups (the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference), have the legal and moral responsibility imposed on them to intervene immediately and without delay, to stop the ongoing progression of this crime in accordance with the clear responsibilities set forth in their charters and conventions.
GICJ calls on them to take all measures in order to refer the situation to international or local adjudication and to prosecute all those involved in this crime against humanity to prevent the aggravation of the situation and an increase in the number of victims.
Key Suspects:
Geneva International Center for Justice will provide an initial list of the most prominent members accused of committing the crime of ethnic and sectarian cleansing in the province of Diyala, in the report. The list although still in the process of completion will list and archive the names and the details of certain prominent individuals and their participation in the planning and execution of the crimes in question.
Geneva International Center for Justice will provide an initial list of the most prominent members accused of committing the crime of ethnic and sectarian cleansing in the province of Diyala, in the report. The list although still in the process of completion will list and archive the names and the details of certain prominent individuals and their participation in the planning and execution of the crimes in question.
WANTED
Nouri Al-Maliki (Ex PM), Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran al-Quds Force, Hadi Al-Amiri, Badr militia leader, Abi Mahdi Al-Muhandis, militia leader, Qais al-Khazali, Leader of the (allegedly) Iranian-backed militia, Prime Minister Haider Al Ebaddi and the Parliamentary Speaker Salim Al Joubori
Full report in Arabic (English will be published soon)
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