Information on the execution of 17 Imams by the Iraqi Regime in September 1994 could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, the attached dispatch from the Voice of Iraqi People reports that "preachers and imams" were arrested by the Iraqi authorities in November 1994 (21 Nov. 1994). Another attached November 1994 dispatch from the same source reports on the execution of "a group of men of religion and mosque preachers" (28 Nov. 1994).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Voice of Iraqi People [Clandestine, in Arabic]. 28 November 1994. "Execution of Men of Religion Reported." (FBIS-NES-94-229 29 Nov. 1994, p. 44)

_______. 21 November 1994. "Imams, Preachers Reportedly Arrested for Criticism." (FBIS-NES-94-225 22 Nov. 1994, p. 43)

Attachments

Voice of Iraqi People [Clandestine, in Arabic]. 28 November 1994. "Execution of Men of Religion Reported." (FBIS-NES-94-229 29 Nov. 1994, p. 44)

_______. 21 November 1994. "Imams, Preachers Reportedly Arrested for Criticism." (FBIS-NES-94-225 22 Nov. 1994, p. 43)

Additional Sources Consulted

Amnesty International. Various Reports.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. US Department of State. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Keesing's Record of World Events. Edited by Roger East. London: Longman.

Iraq: Country Files. 1994-1995. DIRB.

The Middle East [London]. 1994.

Middle East International [London]. 1994.

Monde arabe Maghreb-Machrek [Paris]. 1994.

On-line searches of news articles.

UNHCR and DIRB databases.

Unsuccessful attempts were made to contact oral sources.

This list is not exhaustive. Country-specific books on Iraq available in the Resource Centre are not included.