21 November 2006 – The number of Iraqi civilians killed in October reached a new high of 3,709, the influence of armed militias is growing, and torture continues to be rampant despite the Government’s commitment to address human rights abuses, according to the latest United Nations rights report on the strife-torn country.
“Hundreds of bodies continued to appear in different areas of Baghdad handcuffed, blindfolded and bearing signs of torture and execution-style killing,” the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) human rights report for September and October says. “Many witnesses reported that perpetrators wear militia attire and even police or army uniforms.”
The report paints a grim picture virtually across the board, from attacks on journalists, judges and lawyers and the worsening situation of women to displacement, violence against religious minorities and the targeting of schools.
Based on figures from the Iraqi Health Ministry, hospitals throughout the country and the Medico-Legal Institute in Baghdad, 7,054 civilians were killed over the two-month period, including 351 women and 110 children. October’s figure was nearly 120 more than July’s total of 3,590, which UNAMI had termed unprecedented.
Other points cited by the report include:
# Freedom of expression is threatened as an increasing number of media workers are apparently targeted specifically because of their work and assassinated with utmost impunity. In the last two months, 18 journalists were reported killed.
# Minorities have continued to be targeted. Attacks against Christians have intensified since September while other groups, such as the Sabean-Mandeans, continue to be targeted by extremists and their presence in the country is endangered.
# The situation of women has continued to deteriorate, with increasing numbers either victims of religious extremists or “honour killings.” Some non-Muslim women are forced to wear a headscarf and to be accompanied by male relatives or spouses. Kidnappings associated with rape and sex slavery have also occurred.
# Schools have become increasingly a target for sectarian and other criminal attacks and parents are worried about the safety of their children, girls in particular. According to the Ministry of Education, over 300 teachers and ministry employees were killed and 1,158 others wounded in 2006.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20676&Cr=iraq&Cr1=Mindless Escalation In Iraq
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree
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