Baghdad: The Ministry of Interior confirmed on Tuesday that it is monitoring any violations that may occur against detainees and prisoners, noting that it is taking legal action against those responsible for such violations.
According to Iraqi News Agency, the Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of Interior, Major General Khaled Al-Mahna, stated: “The directorate plays an active oversight and human rights role in monitoring the extent to which the ministry’s formations adhere to national and international human rights laws and standards,” emphasizing that “respect for human rights is a fundamental pillar of professional security and police work.”
Al-Muhanna further explained, “Our responsibility is not limited to monitoring violations after they occur, but extends to preventing them, promoting a culture of human rights, and monitoring the performance of security institutions to ensure a balance between security requirements and the preservation of human dignity and freedoms.” He noted that “the directorate conducts field, legal, and administrative follow-ups that include monitoring the conditions of detainees and prisoners, the extent to which they enjoy legal guarantees, as well as following up on complaints and reports related to allegations of ill-treatment or rights violations, and monitoring the conditions of women, juveniles, and the most vulnerable groups.”
He added that “the directorate has recorded and documented numerous cases of violations, and appropriate measures have been taken regarding them.” He explained that “any complaint or allegation received by the directorate is dealt with seriously according to legal procedures, through verifying the facts, reviewing the procedures, and listening to the concerned parties, and then submitting the results and recommendations to the competent authorities to take the necessary legal action.” He pointed out that “a complaint is not treated as a prejudgment, nor is it something that can be ignored. Rather, it is subject to professional and legal investigation to reach the truth.” He emphasized that “if a violation is proven, legal procedures must be followed against whoever is responsible, regardless of their position or status.”
He explained that “the directorate is working in parallel on the preventative side by disseminating a culture of human rights, enhancing training and awareness among Ministry of Interior personnel, and providing recommendations that contribute to addressing shortcomings and preventing their recurrence.”
Al-Muhanna stressed that “no one is above the law, and neither position, status, nor rank should be a reason to escape accountability once legal responsibility is established.” He emphasized that “justice also requires protecting the rights of those accused and not convicting anyone until legal procedures are completed and their responsibility is proven.” He added that ‘true security is not based on force alone, but on the rule of law, justice and trust between the citizen and state institutions,’ noting that ‘the Human Rights Directorate will continue to perform its supervisory and professional responsibility, follow up on any serious allegations related to human rights violations, and work with the competent authorities to ensure the truth is revealed, the victim is given justice, the responsible party is held accountable, the violation is prevented from recurring, and the rule of law and institutions are established.’