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ICP Reports on Iraqi Prisons
(April 11, 2001)

The Iraqi Communist Party reported on March 30 that the Iraqi government is in the initial stages of building new prison facilities in the "Akachat" area in the western part of Iraq. The site is located on top of a hill where a sign indicating the presence of a phosphate processing facility was used as a cover for the real nature of the construction.

Some sources reported the intention of the President's son, "Qusay", to build another prison facility enclosing an area of 3000 square meters, surrounded by several checkpoints and tower controls to incarcerate new opponents.

A physical confrontation took place in front of the "Abu Ghraib" detention facility between the family members and relatives of the prisoners, and prison guards, when the prison authorities decided to cancel a routinely scheduled visit. Anti-regime slogans were chanted during the confrontation.

Services like catering and hygiene have been deteriorating steadily at the "Abu Ghraib" prison, with over 75 thousands prisoners incarcerated. The facility has exceeded its original hosting capacity. Obtaining basic services like showering, requires prisoners and their families to give generous bribes to prison officials of up to 3000 dinars per person.

A reliable source reported the existence of more than 100 young people aged between 20 and 40 in the "EL Amn El Am" prison facility , some of them held without formal charges, while others are detained for political reasons.

Some political prisoners from "Abu Ghraib", " Radhwania" and "Hakimia", were transferred on 03/01/2001 to shelters in "Himrin" mountain under tight security. They are believed to have participated in the brave insurrection of March 1991. Officials of the "Himrin" prison are officers from the private security and intelligence forces.