Recent information on the Iraqi government's treatment of conscientious objectors to military service is currently unavailable to the IRBDC. However, the following information on the treatment of deserters in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War may be noteworthy.
The Jerusalem Post quotes a Haifa University expert on Iraq as saying that "[s]urrendering in the Iraqi army is not easy because of the very tight discipline and control by security personnel and the threat of death penalties for deserters and even their families" (25 Feb. 1991, 1).
Referring to an Iraqi government's order to deserters to return to their units in seven days, The Los Angeles Times reports that the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council "waived one of Iraq's strictest, most consistently enforced laws, requiring that all draft dodgers and deserters be executed on the spot" (5 Mar. 1991, 4).
An Independent article reports that staying in Iraq is equal to death for "deserters and rebels" (13 Apr. 1991, 1).
Bibliography

The Independent. 13 April 1991. "Ceasefire Brings Disbelief then Dread for Iraqis." (NEXIS)

The Jerusalem Post. 25 February 1991. "Amatzia Baram Warns: Iraqis Won't All Fold Easily." (NEXIS)
The Los Angeles Times. 5 March 1991. "Uprising Spreads Anarchy in South Iraq, Refugee Report; Rebellion: Seven Cities Are Said to Be Under Control of Fundamentalist Muslims and Other Foes of Hussein. The Pentagon Says There May Be Fighting Between Military Units." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The Independent. 13 April 1991. "Ceasefire Brings Disbelief then Dread for Iraqis." pp. 1, 2. (NEXIS)
The Jerusalem Post. 25 February 1991. "Amatzia Baram Warns: Iraqis Won't All Fold Easily." pp. 1, 2. (NEXIS)
The Los Angeles Times. 5 March 1991. "Uprising Spreads Anarchy in South Iraq, Refugee Report; Rebellion: Seven Cities Are Said to Be Under Control of Fundamentalist Muslims and Other Foes of Hussein. The Pentagon Says There May Be Fighting Between Military Units." pp. 1-6. (NEXIS)