Iraqi Gov overwhelmed by additional detainees
Legal World
Security plans implemented since February by the Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I) have contributed to overcrowding in Iraqi prisons, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. A UN report released in April estimated 20,000 detainees were held in Iraq-run facilities during the month of March, indicating an increase of over 3,500 detainees from the end of January.
Estimates of the number of detainees held in Iraqi-operated facilities are difficult to verify because various ministries operate multiple facilities with little coordination. Deputy Justice Minister Pusho Ibrahim Ali Daza Yei told the Washington Post that the Justice Ministry, which operates prisons for convicted criminals, have provided detention space for untried detainees under the custody of the Iraqi Army and that the military detainees account for over 15 percent of the Justice Ministry's prison population.
An anonymous source told the Washington Post that the "tidal wave of cases" generated by the security plans have overwhelmed the Iraqi justice system, which is mandated by Article 19 of the Iraq Constitution to submit preliminary investigations to "a competent judge in a period not to exceed twenty-four hours from the time the arrest has occurred."
Allegations of detainee abuse, particularly by the Interior Ministry, have also increased as officials have struggled to deal with the influx of detainees. The security plans, formally known as "Operation Law and Order" and commonly referred to as the "troop surge," are intended to increase security and stability in Baghdad and Al Anbar province, and were instituted shortly after Gen. David H. Petraeus assumed command of MNF-I.
Related listings
-
Somalia to cooperate with UN rights investigation
Legal World 05/15/2007The transitional government of Somalia has agreed to cooperate with a UN probe into alleged human rights violations that occurred during recent fighting in the country's capital, according to UN emergency relief co-ordinator John Holmes Monday. Despi...
-
Philippines elections proceed amidst fraud allegations
Legal World 05/15/2007Elections held in the Philippines to elect members of the Philippines Senate and House of Representatives proceeded Monday despite reports of violence and allegations of fraud. Government authorities attributed the death of 116 people, including 11 c...
-
Italy families rally against rights for unmarried couples
Legal World 05/13/2007Over 250,000 people gathered in Rome Saturday to protest a bill currently before parliament which would give legal status to unmarried heterosexual and same-sex couples. The bill was approved by Italy's cabinet in February, but has been harshly criti...
Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?
IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child.
Forte Law Group is one of only a very few law firms within the state of Connecticut that is dedicated to exclusively representing families and children with special needs.
Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.