Days ago, MADRE received news from Yanar Mohammed, Director of MADRE's Iraqi sister organization, the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), that a youth activist organizing pro-democracy protests in Iraq is in danger. Alaa Nabil was kidnapped, detained and tortured by Iraqi security forces. They have threatened to kill him if he continues to protest. Below is the statement we received from Yanar:
After a police squad released him from a one-hour detainment yesterday, he asked for his personal belongings, as they had banners that he needed to use in the next demonstration on Friday in Al Tahrir Square in Baghdad as an organizer of February 25 Group. After 24 hours, four-wheel drive vehicles with tinted glass were heading to his residence in Al Kifah district, filled with men who are dressed in civilian clothes. They kidnapped him from the alleys around his house, forced his head down so he cannot see where he was taken.
In a big hall, which may have been designated for these tasks, they stood him facing a wall, and they started all beating, kicking, and whipping him with hoses and cables on the back and the arms. When they got tired, he was threatened in these exact words: "We will cut your tongues, you and your organizing colleagues, Firas Ali, Suad Shwaili, and Falah Alwan, if you dare to reach Al Tahrir Square. And if you insist to continue this work, we will shoot each one of you and throw you where your bodies cannot be found."
Then Alaa was thrown into a car which took him away and released him in Al Alawi square, close to the Green Zone.
These are the methods adopted by the new security agencies of the "democratic" Iraq. This is how they handle freedom of speech and peaceful demonstrations. It seems that the militias of sectarian cleansing have found a new campaign to recruit and pay for their services, but for the oppression of peaceful demonstrators this time. And all of these measures are part of the gains of the US occupation.
We will not let the criminals and murderers prevail in Iraq.
Their oppression and blows against the rebellion for freedom will be defeated.
Long live Freedom.
The torture and kidnapping of Alaa Nabil is a violation of his human rights. Please help us raise awareness about these threats. Post this message to your Facebook status:
A youth activist organizing pro-democracy protests in Iraq is in danger. He was kidnapped, detained and tortured by Iraqi security forces. They have threatened to kill him if he continues to protest. We need the eyes of the world now. Post this to your Facebook status to stand up against the violent silencing of activist voices: http://ht.ly/4mrZH
With international attention, we can protect Alaa Nabil and other youth activists under threat.
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