08.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Human rights violations and sectarian violence; rise in revenge killings after the Samarra bombings ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-seekers") [ID 22812]

"After the bombing of the revered Shi’ite Al-Askari Shrine in the predominantly Sunni city of Samarra on 22 February 2006, allegedly by Sunni extremists, sectarian violence has escalated and “has become one of the most significant forms of human rights violation.” The attack spawned days of reprisals and set off a cycle of sectarian violence across Iraq, including violent clashes between Sunnis and Shi’ites, targeted kidnappings and assassinations as well as attacks on mosques.  Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani urged his followers not to retaliate against Sunnis, but revenge killings have now become a daily occurrence. The moderating influence of Al-Sistani appears to be waning. Since the Samarra bombing, more Iraqis have died in execution-style sectarian killings than in terrorist attacks carried out by insurgents, which had previously been the major threat to security in Iraq."

Document(s): Open document

08.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Human rights violations practised by Shi'ite and Sunni armed groups against one another, or members of their own community considered 'traitors' ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-seekers") [ID 22815]

"Both Sunni and Shi’ite armed groups are held responsible for widespread human rights violations directed against members of the other community or their own members if considered as “traitors”. Both sides operate largely with impunity. On the one hand, the MNF/ISF are largely unable to quell Sunni insurgent violence against civilians. On the other hand, consistent reports suggest that the Shi’ite-dominated ISF are infiltrated by militias, which collude with death squads in targeting Sunnis, e.g. through the facilitation of movement despite curfews and provision of advance warnings of upcoming security operations."

Document(s): Open document

08.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Non-Muslim Religious Groups subject to Human Rights Violations ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-seekers") [ID 22914]

"Members of non-Muslim religious minorities have become regular victims of discrimination, harassment and serious human rights violations, with incidents ranging from intimidation and threats to the destruction of property, kidnapping, rape, forced conversion and murder. Along with the deterioration of the situation for Iraqi women in general due to the strict embracing of Islamic values and traditions as well as the high rate of criminality, women belonging to religious minority groups are often forced to comply with strict Islamic dress codes. Their freedom of movement is also restricted due to the threat of kidnapping and rape."

Document(s): Open document

01.2003 - Source: University of Texas Libraries

Distribution of Ethnoreligious Groups and Major Tribes ("Distribution of Ethnoreligious Groups and Major Tribes") [ID 10058]

Document(s): Distribution of Ethnoreligious Groups and Major Tribes