Iraq: Authorities must act to reveal fate of 643 men and boys abducted by government-linked militias – Amnesty International
The Iraqi authorities must take concrete action towards revealing the fate and whereabouts of at least 643 men and boys who were forcibly disappeared in June 2016 by the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) in the context of military operations to retake Fallujah from the so-called Islamic State, Amnesty International said, marking seven years since the men and boys were abducted.
The PMU are comprised of large, well-established militia groups and are legally considered part of the Iraqi Armed Forces.
It has been seven years since then-Prime Minister Haidar Abadi formed a committee to investigate those disappearances and other abuses committed by the PMU during the Fallujah operations. But so far, the committee has not made any of its findings public and no one has been held accountable, said Aya Majzoub, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
The victims of enforced disappearances are not only those who are missing, but also their families and loved ones who continue to live in agony not knowing the fate of their loved ones. Multiple governments have failed to provide these families with the answers that they deserve and with reparations. In order to end the reign of impunity in Iraq, the government must make the findings of the investigative committee public, ensure that any information on the fate or whereabouts of the missing men and boys is disclosed to their families, and that evidence is shared with judicial authorities so that perpetrators can be brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.
In early June 2016, thousands of men, women and children fleeing the area of Saqlawiya in Anbar Province were met by armed individuals carrying machine guns and assault rifles. They were identified by witnesses as members of the PMU, based on emblems on their uniforms and flags.
As detailed in a 2016 Amnesty International investigation, the armed men put some of the captured men and boys onto buses and a large truck. The fate of those who were driven away in these vehicles remains unknown. Despite multiple attempts by the families of the disappeared over the years to press the authorities for investigations, they have not been given answers.
One woman, who was among those captured by the PMU on 3 June 2016, told Amnesty International that at least six other members of her family were abducted. Her husband and one of her brothers remain missing. She said: There is no bigger of a disaster than losing someone dear to you. We lost our loved ones, husbands, uncles, fathers. Everyone left. I dont remember anything other than sadness.
She was released on the same day of her abduction and four of her brothers were released three days later. She said that her brothers were tortured day and night and that they witnessed the PMU burying people alive and heard the sounds of people being tortured.
Another woman whose loved ones were abducted by armed men in PMU vehicles on 2 June 2016 told Amnesty International that 15 members of her family, including her husband, brother and son, remain missing. Despite her efforts, the authorities have not taken action nor provided the family any redress.
We were living a happy life If they could hear me, I would tell them enough of being gone. We are tired. We need you, because life is not worth it without you. Your children need you and they ask about you. If only you could return I am prepared to forget everything and forget all the pain and start life over again and we live happily, if only.
According to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, Iraq has an estimated range of 250,000 to 1 million missing persons since 1968, making it one of the countries with the highest number of missing persons worldwide.
On 5 June 2016, the office of then-Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi set up a committee to investigate disappearances and other violations committed in the context of military operations to retake Fallujah, including by the PMU. He also tasked the local government of Anbar with setting up a separate investigative committee, which on 11 June 2016 published findings that it sent to the Prime Minister, revealing that 643 men and boys from the area of Saqlawiya were missing. Families of the disappeared claim that the actual number is higher.
Since that date, it is unclear what steps the committee set up by the former Prime Minister has taken to effectively investigate the disappearances, and it has failed to publicly report on any findings. Rights groups and families told Amnesty International that the authorities have not communicated any outcome to the families of the disappeared. To this date, the Iraqi authorities have been silent as to the action they have taken to address and investigate these violations and provide justice and redress to victims.
Since 2016, Amnesty International has repeatedly requested information regarding this investigation, including in letters addressed to the Prime Ministers Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 19 May 2023. To this day, Amnesty International has not received a substantive response detailing the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared.
On 4 April 2023, the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances issued a report following its visit to Iraq in November 2022. It urged Iraq to immediately include enforced disappearances as a separate offence. It also called upon Iraq to establish a comprehensive search and investigation strategy for all cases of disappearances, and to strengthen and enlarge the national forensic capacity to ensure that all victims have access to exhumation processes and forensic services.
Enforced disappearance is currently not a crime under Iraqi law and therefore cannot be prosecuted as a distinct offence. As a state party to the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons against Enforced Disappearance, Iraq has an obligation to criminalize enforced disappearances, investigate, bring perpetrators to justice, and ensure reparation for victims.
Al Haq Foundation for Human Rights, an independent civil society organization based in Baghdad, told Amnesty International: The failure to legislate a law to protect persons from enforced disappearance is an indication of the failure to put an end to cases of enforced disappearance. Our organization continues its efforts to support the voices of the victims and their families to together reveal the truth about the fate of thousands.
Amnesty International calls on the authorities to provide redress and reparation, including compensation and rehabilitation, for the families of those disappeared in June 2016 and to pass effective legislation criminalizing enforced disappearances in accordance with international law.
Read the rest here:
Iraq: Authorities must act to reveal fate of 643 men and boys abducted by government-linked militias - Amnesty International
- Tony Blair was urged to delay US invasion of Iraq, archives reveal - The Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Britain told US that invading Iraq could cost Blair his premiership, papers reveal - The Guardian - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iraq Syndrome is dead, why PBS & NPR had to go and other commentary - New York Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Turkey submits draft proposal to Iraq to renew, expand energy agreement - Reuters - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Watch Turkey to Seek New Oil Deal With Iraq on Idled Pipeline - Bloomberg.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Turkey Eyes New Deal with Iraq on Idled Oil Pipeline - Rigzone - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- It was politically impossible for UK to draw back from Iraq War, new files claim - The Independent - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trkiyes oil agreement with top exporter Iraq ends by 2026heres what we know - Trkiye Today - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- UK warned US that Iraq war could topple Tony Blair - The New Arab - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Why Turkey ended the oil pipeline pact with Iraq - Arabian Gulf Business Insight | AGBI - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trkiye seeks new Iraq deal as it ends over 50-year oil pipeline pact | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Turkey Seeks New Deal with Iraq to Revive Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline - Pipeline and Gas Journal - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Register today to embark on a Spiritual and Educational Journey to Iraq - Imam Mahdi Association of Marjaeya - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iraq makes 'decisive findings' about drone attacks without identifying who targeted its bases - ABC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq works to rein in culprits after sequence of drone attacks on energy and oil sites - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq Set for Key Oil Cargo Surge in Sign of Increased Output - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Officials try to identify 18 bodies in deadly Iraq shopping mall fire - ABC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Pope offers condolences, prayers for victims of Iraq fire - Vatican News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Nutley Mayor John Kelly to deploy with NJ National Guard to Iraq next month - Bergen Record - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Nutley Township mayor set to be deployed to Iraq - News 12 - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq concludes 2025 wheat marketing season with over 6.5 million tons stored - Iraqi News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq Set for Key Oil Cargo Surge in Sign of Increased Output - gCaptain - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- More than 60 die in fire at newly opened shopping mall in Iraq - The Guardian - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- PKK member killed in Iraq by unidentified drone - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Vacuum of power: What follows the PKKs fade from Iraq? | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Over 10 years after ISIS takeover, Iraq's Mosul Airport reopens: What to know - AL-Monitor - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Drones Hit Oil Fields in Northern Iraq in Spree of Attacks - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq makes 'decisive findings' about drone attacks without identifying who targeted its bases - Indiana Gazette Online - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq urges Turkiye to act in most severe water scarcity in decades - Shafaq News - - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Earthquake Strikes Duhok Province in Northern Iraq... - jordannews.jo - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Sixty people killed in mall fire in al-Kut city, eastern Iraq - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Crude Oil Prices Erase Early Gains On The Outlook For Iraq To Boost Crude Exports - Barchart.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Investigating deadly Iraq fire and assessing situation in Syria - BBC - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Drone attacks on oil fields in Iraqs Kurdish region shut down facilities - AP News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Over 60 dead after fire rips through shopping mall in Iraq - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Dozens killed as massive fire rips through shopping mall in eastern Iraq - CNN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Iraq Agrees on Oil Plan With Kurds in Step Toward Export Deal - Bloomberg - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Nutley Mayor Kelly to be Deployed to Iraq - TAPinto - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- More than 60 people killed as fire breaks out in newly opened Iraq mall - France 24 - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Funerals held for victims of mall fire in eastern Iraq - AP News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Oil prices barely changed amid disruptions in Iraq and fears of US tariffs - - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Iraq draws Saudi Arabia and Indonesia in final World Cup playoff as hope and caution collide - Iraqi News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Over 60 people killed commercial building fire in Iraq - WPLG Local 10 - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Fire at newly opened mall in Iraq kills more than 60 people - New York Post - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- A fire at a shopping center in eastern Iraq kills more than 60 people - The Journal Gazette - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Iraq turns to solar energy with 535 government projects and citizen incentives - bne IntelliNews - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- International community offers condolences and support to Iraq after deadly Wasit shopping center fire - Iraqi News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- "Our goal is to make microgreens accessible to every household in Iraq" - Hortidaily - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Dozens killed in fire at brand-new mall in Iraq - The Washington Post - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Newly opened mall in eastern Iraq in ruins after fire which killed dozens - The Lufkin Daily News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Fire tears through Iraq shopping centre, killing at least 60 video report - The Guardian - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- UAE Expresses Solidarity with Iraq and Conveys Condolences over Fire at Shopping Mall - Yemen Online - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- 60 Killed, Many Injured As Huge Fire Breaks Out At Shopping Mall In Iraq - NDTV - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- More than 60 killed in fire at Iraq shopping mall - nhk.or.jp - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Shopping centre fire in Iraq kills more than 60 people - The Globe and Mail - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Drone Strikes in Northern Iraq: A Geopolitical Gamble with Oil and Defense - AInvest - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- How does the PKKs disarmament affect Turkey, Syria and Iraq? - The Conversation - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Oilfields in northern Iraq halt operations following drone attacks - Iraqi News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- U.S. Firm Steps Up As Iraq Fast-Tracks New Floating LNG Terminal - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- "Our goal is to make microgreens accessible to every household in Iraq" - Vertical Farm Daily - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - AP News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Several oil fields shut in Iraq's KRG after 3rd drone strike this week | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Drone strikes target three oil fields in northern Iraq - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK militants begin handing over weapons in cave in Iraq - NBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trkiyes exports to neighbors rise as Iraq leads with $5 billion trade - Trkiye Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Iraq achieves self-sufficiency in wheat for third year in a row - Iraqi News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Former Harrier pilot who served in Iraq appointed RAF chief - The Telegraph - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- In Iraq, drought threatens water supply and ancient heritage - France 24 - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Iraq seeks to foster ties with Islamic Azad University in emerging technologies - Tehran Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Azerbaijan and Iraq expand legal cooperation through high-level judicial talks [PHOTOS] - AzerNews - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK militants burn weapons in Iraq to launch disarmament - Reuters - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Iran is losing its stranglehold over Iraq - The Economist - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Erdoan calls for Turkish-Kurdish-Arab alliance, as PKK holds disarmament ceremony in Iraq - World Socialist Web Site - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Iraq to establish first seed bank in the region - Iraqi News - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- In a ceremony Friday in Iraq members of the Kurdish rebel group PKK destroyed their weapons - IslanderNews.com - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK fighters burn their weapons at disarmament ceremony in Iraq - The Times of Israel - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Russia, Myanmar, Somalia, Iraq, Lebanon, and Venezuela Designated Extreme Risk Zone as US Urges Citizens to Cancel All Travel Plans This Summer: Heres... - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- PKK terrorists begin disarming in Iraq as 1st step toward dissolution | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK militants begin handing over weapons in northern Iraq - The Arab Weekly - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]