Human Rights Watch reports that 5,700 detainees accused of alleged connections to ISIS have been transferred from northeastern Syria to Iraq, where they face significant risks including torture and unjust trials.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised alarms over the recent transfer of 5,700 detainees accused of alleged affiliations with the Islamic State (ISIS) from northeastern Syria to Iraq by the U.S. The organization warns that these individuals face severe risks of enforced disappearance, unfair trials, torture, and other abuses, raising significant concerns about their right to life. The transfer operation commenced on January 21 of this year amid a military offensive by the Syrian government to regain control over northeastern Syria, further complicating the security landscape in the region.
According to HRW, the transfers are part of the U.S. military's 'Operation Inherent Resolve' aimed at combating terrorism. Iraqi officials, as reported by The New York Times, have indicated that the U.S. has agreed to cover the costs of housing and subsequently trying these detainees in Iraq. This situation calls into question the legality and ethical implications of transferring detainees across borders without adequate legal protections or due process considerations, raising fears of further human rights violations.
HRW's Iraq researcher, Sarah Saadoun, emphasized that these detainees have been held for years without due process and are now being placed in a new country without the necessary guarantees for fair treatment. She condemned the actions taken against individuals associated with ISIS, insisting that they deserve genuine justice through proper legal proceedings. The report highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees in conflict settings and the responsibilities of military powers in ensuring human rights are upheld during such operations.
