Against Returnees from Syria.. "Amnesty International" Reveals Horrific Violations in Iraqi Center
The pattern of violations at Al-Jadaa center reflects a repeated methodology used by Iraqi authorities to extract forced confessions from detainees returning from Al-Hol camp in northern Syria
October 29, 2024, 4:41 pm

الأمن العراقي

Amnesty International documented in an extensive investigation systematic practices of torture and degrading treatment at Al-Jadaa Community Rehabilitation Center in northern Iraq.

The human rights organization began documenting cases of eight detainees, including one woman and seven men, who were detained at the center during 2023 and 2024, where seven of them were subjected to various forms of torture.

The interviewed detainees explained that torture methods varied between electric shocks, forced painful physical positions, water immersion, and covering heads with plastic bags to prevent breathing, while detainees' families confirmed seeing clear signs of torture on their relatives' bodies.

Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International's Secretary General, stated: "The torture and other ill-treatment endured by detainees at Al-Jadaa center is horrifying. It must be stopped and investigated immediately."

Callamard added: "Iraqi authorities and the UN have agreed to return tens of thousands of Iraqis to Al-Jadaa center from Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria in the coming years. It is unacceptable for Iraqis to flee war and detention for a decade, only to find more horrors awaiting them."

Center statistics revealed the detention of 2,223 people until September 2024, including 1,318 children, 627 women, and 278 men, while it is managed by the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement with support from UN organizations.

The report highlighted the testimony of Mariam, who was detained in 2024 and subjected to electric shocks, beating, and sexual harassment during interrogation, while Mustafa's wife recounted seeing her husband with broken teeth and shattered ribs after his interrogation.

The report stated that six of the eight detainees were subjected to forced disappearance for periods ranging from two weeks to three months, during which authorities refused to disclose their detention locations.

The human rights organization called on Iraqi authorities to immediately stop torture and forced disappearance practices, and retry those convicted based on confessions extracted under torture. It also demanded the UN conduct thorough investigations into the treatment received by detainees at the center.

Levant-Amnesty International

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”