Iraq's Security Forces Use Detainees as Propaganda Tools

Strategic Insights -

Iraq's security forces are increasingly taking to the airwaves with dramatic demonstrations of how they are cracking down on terrorism, using detainees - mostly Sunni men - as backdrops for speeches and broadcasting confessions on state-run television. This practice has sparked concerns from Western diplomats and human rights workers, who argue that it is inflammatory and even illegal, symptoms of a politically tainted justice system that still relies on confessions, many coerced, as much as physical evidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iraqi security forces are using detainees as propaganda tools to demonstrate their efforts to combat terrorism, often broadcasting confessions on state-run television.
  • This practice has been criticized by Western diplomats and human rights workers, who argue that it is inflammatory and can lead to coerced confessions.
  • The practice has sparked sectarian tensions in Iraq, with Sunni politicians accusing the government of using the media to discredit and oust them.
  • The use of detainees as propaganda tools may be in breach of international treaties Iraq signed, which lay out basic rights for criminal suspects.
  • Even some supporters of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki have criticized the practice, saying it undermines due-process rules and is reminiscent of Saddam Hussein's manipulation of the media.
  • Iraqi officials have largely brushed off the criticism, arguing that the confessions and images of shackled prisoners offer convincing evidence that they are hunting down criminals.

Statistics:

  • 600,000-strong police force runs by the Interior Ministry, which is responsible for the security forces' media strategies.
  • The number of detainees paraded before the press and cameras in Iraq is not specified in the article.
  • $millions in American aid and legal training programs have been invested in Iraq's justice system, but the practice of using detainees as propaganda tools continues.
  • The percentage of Sunni men among detainees accused of terrorism is estimated to be high, but is not specified in the article.
  • The number of Western diplomats and human rights workers who have raised concerns about the practice is not specified.

Sources:

  • Michael Kamber, "Detainees Accused of Terrorism Are Often Paraded Before the Press and Cameras in Iraq", New York Times, November 2013.
  • Western expert in international law, anonymous, cited in the article.
  • Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, political analyst close to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, interviewed by the author.
  • Adel Daham, Interior Ministry official, quoted in the article.
  • Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, mentioned in the article.
  • "The 'perp walk' is common enough to merit its own Wikipedia page", article states.
  • Various news conferences and reports from the Interior Ministry and state-run Iraqiya television channel, mentioned in the article.