COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION CENTRE FACTS ABOUT IRAQ Methods of Torture

The Iraqi authorities have systematically used torture and ill-treatment against political detainees. The following methods have all been reported to international human rights groups by the victims of torture or their families.

Eye gouging

Amnesty International reported the case of a Kurdish businessman in Baghdad who was executed in 1997. When his family retrieved his body, the eyes had been gouged out and the empty eye sockets stuffed with paper.

Tongue amputation

Introduced in 2000 as a punishment for slandering or making abusive remarks about Saddam Hussein or his family. Amputations are carried out in public by Uday Hussein’s own militia. (Feda’iyye Saddam).

Piercing of hands with electric drill

A common method of torture for political detainees. Amnesty International reported one victim who then had acid poured into his open wounds.

Electric shock

Another common torture method. Shocks are applied to various parts of the body, including the genitals, ears, tongue and fingers. Victims are sometimes suspended from rotating fans or horizontal poles while the electric shocks are applied.

Sexual abuse

Victims have been raped and sexually abused, including reports of broken bottles being forced into the victim’s anus. Dissidents overseas have been sent videos of family relatives being raped and warned to cease their opposition activities.

“Falaqa”

Victims are forced to lie face down and are then beaten on the soles of their feet with a cable, often losing consciousness.

Mock executions

Victims are told that they are to be executed by firing squad and a mock execution is staged. Victims are hooded and brought before a firing squad, who then fire blank rounds.

Acid baths

David Scheffer, US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes, reported that photographic evidence showed that Iraq had used acid baths during the invasion of Kuwait. Victims were hung by their wrists and gradually lowered into the acid.

SOURCES: Amnesty International – Iraq: Systematic Torture of Political Prisoners, Aug 2001

Human Rights Watch - Iraq: Background on Human Rights Conditions, 1984-1992