1

A DECADE OF DECEPTION

AND DEFIANCE

 

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S DEFIANCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS

SEPTEMBER 12, 2002
2

PREFACE

A Decade of Deception and Defiance serves as a background paper for President George W. Bush's

September 12th speech to the United Nations General Assembly. This document provides specific

examples of how Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has systematically and continually violated 16 United

Nations Security Council resolutions over the past decade. This document is not designed to catalogue all

of the violations of UN resolutions or other abuses of Saddam Hussein’s regime over the years.

For more than a decade, Saddam Hussein has deceived and defied the will and resolutions of the United

Nations Security Council by, among other things: continuing to seek and develop chemical, biological, and

nuclear weapons, and prohibited long-range missiles; brutalizing the Iraqi people, including committing

gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity; supporting international terrorism; refusing to

release or account for prisoners of war and other missing individuals from the Gulf War era; refusing to

return stolen Kuwaiti property; and working to circumvent the UN’s economic sanctions.

The Administration will periodically provide information on these and other aspects of the threat posed to

the international community by Saddam Hussein.
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Saddam Hussein’s Defiance of United Nations Resolutions 4

Saddam Hussein’s Development of Weapons of Mass Destruction 8

Saddam Hussein’s Repression of the Iraqi People 11

Saddam Hussein’s Support for International Terrorism 18

Saddam Hussein’s Refusal to Account for Gulf War Prisoners 19

Saddam Hussein’s Refusal to Return Stolen Property 20

Saddam Hussein’s Efforts to Circumvent Economic Sanctions 21
4

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S DEFIANCE OF UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS

Saddam Hussein has repeatedly violated sixteen United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs)

designed to ensure that Iraq does not pose a threat to international peace and security. In addition to these

repeated violations, he has tried, over the past decade, to circumvent UN economic sanctions against Iraq,

which are reflected in a number of other resolutions. As noted in the resolutions, Saddam Hussein was

required to fulfill many obligations beyond the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Specifically, Saddam

Hussein was required to, among other things: allow international weapons inspectors to oversee the

destruction of his weapons of mass destruction; not develop new weapons of mass destruction; destroy all

of his ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometers; stop support for terrorism and prevent

terrorist organizations from operating within Iraq; help account for missing Kuwaitis and other individuals;

return stolen Kuwaiti property and bear financial liability for damage from the Gulf War; and he was

required to end his repression of the Iraqi people. Saddam Hussein has repeatedly violated each of the

following resolutions:

UNSCR 678 – NOVEMBER 29, 1990

ß Iraq must comply fully with UNSCR 660 (regarding Iraq’s illegal invasion of Kuwait) “and all subsequent

relevant resolutions.”

ß Authorizes UN Member States “to use all necessary means to uphold and implement resolution 660

and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security in the area.”

UNSCR 686 – MARCH 2, 1991

ß Iraq must release prisoners detained during the Gulf War.

ß Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.

ß Iraq must accept liability under international law for damages from its illegal invasion of Kuwait.

UNSCR 687 – APRIL 3, 1991

ß Iraq must “unconditionally accept” the destruction, removal or rendering harmless “under international

supervision” of all “chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and all related

subsystems and components and all research, development, support and manufacturing facilities.”

ß Iraq must “unconditionally agree not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons or nuclear-weapons-usable

material” or any research, development or manufacturing facilities.

ß Iraq must “unconditionally accept” the destruction, removal or rendering harmless “under international

supervision” of all “ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 KM and related major parts and

repair and production facilities.”

ß Iraq must not “use, develop, construct or acquire” any weapons of mass destruction.

ß Iraq must reaffirm its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

ß Creates the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) to verify the elimination of Iraq’s chemical

and biological weapons programs and mandated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

verify elimination of Iraq’s nuclear weapons program.

ß Iraq must declare fully its weapons of mass destruction programs.

ß Iraq must not commit or support terrorism, or allow terrorist organizations to operate in Iraq.

ß Iraq must cooperate in accounting for the missing and dead Kuwaitis and others.

ß Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.
5

UNSCR 688 – APRIL 5, 1991

ß “Condemns” repression of Iraqi civilian population, “the consequences of which threaten international

peace and security.”

ß Iraq must immediately end repression of its civilian population.

ß Iraq must allow immediate access to international humanitarian organizations to those in need of

assistance.

UNSCR 707 – AUGUST 15, 1991

ß “Condemns” Iraq’s “serious violation” of UNSCR 687.

ß “Further condemns” Iraq’s noncompliance with IAEA and its obligations under the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty.

ß Iraq must halt nuclear activities of all kinds until the Security Council deems Iraq in full compliance.

ß Iraq must make a full, final and complete disclosure of all aspects of its weapons of mass destruction

and missile programs.

ß Iraq must allow UN and IAEA inspectors immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.

ß Iraq must cease attempts to conceal or move weapons of mass destruction, and related materials and

facilities.

ß Iraq must allow UN and IAEA inspectors to conduct inspection flights throughout Iraq.

ß Iraq must provide transportation, medical and logistical support for UN and IAEA inspectors.

UNSCR 715 – OCTOBER 11, 1991

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA inspectors.

UNSCR 949 – OCTOBER 15, 1994

ß “Condemns” Iraq’s recent military deployments toward Kuwait.

ß Iraq must not utilize its military or other forces in a hostile manner to threaten its neighbors or UN

operations in Iraq.

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors.

ß Iraq must not enhance its military capability in southern Iraq.

UNSCR 1051 – MARCH 27, 1996

ß Iraq must report shipments of dual-use items related to weapons of mass destruction to the UN and

IAEA.

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and

unrestricted access.

UNSCR 1060 – JUNE 12, 1996

ß “Deplores” Iraq’s refusal to allow access to UN inspectors and Iraq’s “clear violations” of previous UN

resolutions.

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and

unrestricted access.
6

UNSCR 1115 – JUNE 21, 1997

ß “Condemns repeated refusal of Iraqi authorities to allow access” to UN inspectors, which constitutes a

“clear and flagrant violation” of UNSCR 687, 707, 715, and 1060.

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and

unrestricted access.

ß Iraq must give immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to Iraqi officials whom UN inspectors

want to interview.

UNSCR 1134 – OCTOBER 23, 1997

ß “Condemns repeated refusal of Iraqi authorities to allow access” to UN inspectors, which constitutes a

“flagrant violation” of UNSCR 687, 707, 715, and 1060.

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and

unrestricted access.

ß Iraq must give immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to Iraqi officials whom UN inspectors

want to interview.

UNSCR 1137 – NOVEMBER 12, 1997

ß “Condemns the continued violations by Iraq” of previous UN resolutions, including its “implicit threat to

the safety of” aircraft operated by UN inspectors and its tampering with UN inspector monitoring

equipment.

ß Reaffirms Iraq’s responsibility to ensure the safety of UN inspectors.

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and

unrestricted access.

UNSCR 1154 – MARCH 2, 1998

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional

and unrestricted access, and notes that any violation would have the “severest consequences for Iraq.”

UNSCR 1194 – SEPTEMBER 9, 1998

ß “Condemns the decision by Iraq of 5 August 1998 to suspend cooperation with” UN and IAEA

inspectors, which constitutes “a totally unacceptable contravention” of its obligations under UNSCR

687, 707, 715, 1060, 1115, and 1154.

ß Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA weapons inspectors, and allow immediate, unconditional

and unrestricted access.

UNSCR 1205 – NOVEMBER 5, 1998

ß “Condemns the decision by Iraq of 31 October 1998 to cease cooperation” with UN inspectors as “a

flagrant violation” of UNSCR 687 and other resolutions.

ß Iraq must provide “immediate, complete and unconditional cooperation” with UN and IAEA inspectors.
7

UNSCR 1284 – DECEMBER 17, 1999

ß Created the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspections Commission (UNMOVIC) to

replace previous weapon inspection team (UNSCOM).

ß Iraq must allow UNMOVIC “immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access” to Iraqi officials and

facilities.

ß Iraq must fulfill its commitment to return Gulf War prisoners.

ß Calls on Iraq to distribute humanitarian goods and medical supplies to its people and address the

needs of vulnerable Iraqis without discrimination.

ADDITIONAL UN SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENTS

In addition to the legally binding UNSCRs, the UN Security Council has also issued at least 30 statements

from the President of the UN Security Council regarding Saddam Hussein’s continued violations of

UNSCRs. The list of statements includes:

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 28, 1991

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, February 5, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, February 19, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, February 28, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, March 6, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, March 11, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, March 12, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, April 10, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 17, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, July 6, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, September 2, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, November 23, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, November 24, 1992

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, January 8, 1993

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, January 11, 1993

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 18, 1993

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 28, 1993

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, November 23, 1993

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, October 8, 1994

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, March 19, 1996

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 14, 1996

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, August 23, 1996

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, December 30, 1996

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, June 13, 1997

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, October 29, 1997

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, November 13, 1997

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, December 3, 1997

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, December 22, 1997

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, January 14, 1998

ß UN Security Council Presidential Statement, May 14, 1998
8

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S DEVELOPMENT OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Saddam Hussein has continued to defy UN weapons inspectors for more than a decade, and he continues

his efforts to develop or acquire weapons of mass destruction – including biological, chemical and nuclear

weapons, and prohibited long-range missiles – and other means to deliver them.

BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

ß In 2001, an Iraqi defector, Adnan Ihsan Saeed al-Haideri, said he had visited twenty secret facilities for

chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Mr. Saeed, a civil engineer, supported his claims with

stacks of Iraqi government contracts, complete with technical specifications. Mr. Saeed said Iraq used

companies to purchase equipment with the blessing of the United Nations – and then secretly used the

equipment for their weapons programs.1

ß Iraq admitted to producing biological agents, and after the 1995 defection of a senior Iraqi official, Iraq

admitted to the weaponization of thousands of liters of anthrax, botulinim toxin, and aflatoxin for use

with Scud warheads, aerial bombs and aircraft. 2

ß United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) experts concluded that Iraq’s declarations on

biological agents vastly understated the extent of its program, and that Iraq actually produced two to

four times the amount of most agents, including anthrax and botulinim toxin, than it had declared.3

ß UNSCOM reported to the UN Security Council in April 1995 that Iraq had concealed its biological

weapons program and had failed to account for 3 tons of growth material for biological agents.4

ß The Department of Defense reported in January 2001 that Iraq has continued to work on its weapons

programs, including converting L-29 jet trainer aircraft for potential vehicles for the delivery of chemical

or biological weapons.5

ß The al-Dawrah Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Facility is one of two known biocontainment levelthree facilities in Iraq that have an extensive air handling and filtering system. Iraq has admitted that

this was a biological weapons facility. In 2001, Iraq announced that it would begin renovating the plant

without UN approval, ostensibly to produce vaccines that it could more easily and more quickly import

through the UN.

ß Saddam Hussein continues its attempts to procure mobile biological weapons laboratories that could

be used for further research and development.

 

1 “Secret Sites: Iraqi tells of Renovations at Sites for Chemical and Nuclear Arms,” The New York Times, December 20, 2001

2 UNSCOM Report, January 25, 1999

3 Ibid.

4 Ibid.

5 Proliferation: Threat and Response; Department of Defense; January 2001
9

CHEMICAL WEAPONS

Saddam Hussein launched a large-scale chemical weapons attack against Iraq’s Kurdish population in the

late 1980s, killing thousands. On at least 10 occasions, Saddam Hussein’s military forces have attacked

Iranian and Kurdish targets with combinations of mustard gas and nerve agents through the use of aerial

bombs, 122-millimeter rockets, and conventional artillery shells. Saddam Hussein continues his efforts to

develop chemical weapons:

ß Gaps identified by UNSCOM in Iraqi accounting and current production capabilities strongly suggest

that Iraq maintains stockpiles of chemical agents, probably VX, sarin, cyclosarin and mustard.

ß Iraq has not accounted for hundreds of tons of chemical precursors and tens of thousands of unfilled

munitions, including Scud variant missile warheads.6

ß Iraq has not accounted for at least 15,000 artillery rockets that in the past were its preferred vehicle for

delivering nerve agents, nor has it accounted for about 550 artillery shells filled with mustard agent.7

ß Iraq continues to rebuild and expand dual-use infrastructure that it could quickly divert to chemical

weapons production, such as chlorine and phenol plants.

ß Iraq is seeking to purchase chemical weapons agent precursors and applicable production equipment,

and is making an effort to hide activities at the Fallujah plant, which was one of Iraq’s chemical

weapons production facilities before the Gulf War.

ß At Fallujah and three other plants, Iraq now has chlorine production capacity far higher than any civilian

need for water treatment, and the evidence indicates that some of its chlorine imports are being

diverted for military purposes.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Saddam Hussein had an advanced nuclear weapons development program before the Gulf War and

continues his work to develop a nuclear weapon:

ß A new report released on September 9, 2002 from the International Institute for Strategic Studies – an

independent research organization – concludes that Saddam Hussein could build a nuclear bomb

within months if he were able to obtain fissile material.8

ß Iraq has stepped up its quest for nuclear weapons and has embarked on a worldwide hunt for materials

to make an atomic bomb. In the last 14 months, Iraq has sought to buy thousands of specially

designed aluminum tubes which officials believe were intended as components of centrifuges to enrich

uranium.

 

6 UNSCOM Report, January 25, 1999

7 Ibid.

8 Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Net Assessment; September 9, 2002; The International Institute for Strategic Studies
10

ß Iraq has withheld documentation relevant to its past nuclear program, including data about enrichment

techniques, foreign procurement, weapons design, experimental data, and technical documents.

ß Iraq still has the technical expertise and some of the infrastructure needed to pursue its goal of building

a nuclear weapon.

ß Saddam Hussein has repeatedly met with his nuclear scientists over the past two years, signaling his

continued interest in developing his nuclear program.

BALLISTIC MISSILES

ß Iraq is believed to be developing ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometers – as

prohibited by the UN Security Council Resolution 687.

ß Discrepancies identified by UNSCOM in Saddam Hussein’s declarations suggest that Iraq retains a

small force of Scud-type missiles and an undetermined number of launchers and warheads.9

ß Iraq continues work on the al-Samoud liquid propellant short-range missile (which can fly beyond the

allowed 150 kilometers). The al-Samoud and the solid propellant Ababil-100 appeared in a military

parade in Baghdad on December 31, 2000, suggesting that both systems are nearing operational

deployment.

ß The al-Rafah-North facility is Iraq’s principal site for testing liquid propellant missile engines. Iraq has

been building a new, larger test stand there that is clearly intended for testing prohibited longer-range

missile engines.

ß At their al-Mamoun facility, the Iraqis have rebuilt structures that had been dismantled by UNSCOM

that were originally designed to manufacture solid propellant motors for the Badr-2000 missile program.

 

9 UNSCOM Report
11

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S REPRESSION OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE

UNSCR 688 (April 5, 1991) “condemns” Saddam Hussein’s repression of the Iraqi civilian population -- “the

consequences of which threaten international peace and security.” UNSCR 688 also requires Saddam

Hussein to end his repression of the Iraqi people and to allow immediate access to international

humanitarian organizations to help those in need of assistance. Saddam Hussein has repeatedly violated

these provisions and has: expanded his violence against women and children; continued his horrific torture

and execution of innocent Iraqis; continued to violate the basic human rights of the Iraqi people and has

continued to control all sources of information (including killing more than 500 journalists and other opinion

leaders in the past decade). Saddam Hussein has also harassed humanitarian aid workers; expanded his

crimes against Muslims; he has withheld food from families that fail to offer their children to his regime; and

he has continued to subject Iraqis to unfair imprisonment.10

REFUSAL TO ADMIT HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS

ß The UN Commission on Human Rights and the UN General Assembly issued a report that noted "with

dismay" the lack of improvement in the situation of human rights in Iraq. The report strongly criticized

the "systematic, widespread, and extremely grave violations of human rights" and of international

humanitarian law by the Iraqi Government, which it stated resulted in "all-pervasive repression and

oppression sustained by broad-based discrimination and widespread terror." The report called on the

Iraqi Government to fulfill its obligations under international human rights treaties.

ß Saddam Hussein has repeatedly refused visits by human rights monitors and the establishment of

independent human rights organizations. From 1992 until 2002, Saddam prevented the UN Special

Rapporteur from visiting Iraq.11

ß In September 2001 the Government expelled six UN humanitarian relief workers without providing any

explanation.12

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

ß Human rights organizations and opposition groups continued to receive reports of women who suffered

from severe psychological trauma after being raped by Iraqi personnel while in custody.13

ß Former Mukhabarat member Khalid Al-Janabi reported that a Mukhabarat unit, the Technical

Operations Directorate, used rape and sexual assault in a systematic and institutionalized manner for

political purposes. The unit reportedly also videotaped the rape of female relatives of suspected

oppositionists and used the videotapes for blackmail purposes and to ensure their future cooperation.14

 

10 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

11 Page 2-3, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

12 Ibid, Page 6

13 Ibid, Page 5

14 Ibid, Page 5
12

ß In June 2000, a former Iraqi general reportedly received a videotape of security forces raping a female

family member. He subsequently received a telephone call from an intelligence agent who stated that

another female relative was being held and warned him to stop speaking out against the Iraqi

Government.15

ß Iraqi security forces allegedly raped women who were captured during the Anfal Campaign and during

the occupation of Kuwait. 16

ß Amnesty International reported that, in October 2000, the Iraqi Government executed dozens of women

accused of prostitution.17

ß In May, the Iraqi Government reportedly tortured to death the mother of three Iraqi defectors for her

children’s opposition activities.18

ß Iraqi security agents reportedly decapitated numerous women and men in front of their family

members. According to Amnesty International, the victims’ heads were displayed in front of their

homes for several days.19

TORTURE

ß Iraqi security services routinely and systematically torture detainees. According to former prisoners,

torture techniques included branding, electric shocks administered to the genitals and other areas,

beating, pulling out of fingernails, burning with hot irons and blowtorches, suspension from rotating

ceiling fans, dripping acid on the skin, rape, breaking of limbs, denial of food and water, extended

solitary confinement in dark and extremely small compartments, and threats to rape or otherwise harm

family members and relatives. Evidence of such torture often was apparent when security forces

returned the mutilated bodies of torture victims to their families.20

ß According to a report received by the UN Special Rapporteur in 1998, hundreds of Kurds and other

detainees have been held without charge for close to two decades in extremely harsh conditions, and

many of them have been used as subjects in Iraq’s illegal experimental chemical and biological

weapons programs.21

ß In 2000, the authorities reportedly introduced tongue amputation as a punishment for persons who

criticize Saddam Hussein or his family, and on July 17, government authorities reportedly amputated

the tongue of a person who allegedly criticized Saddam Hussein. Authorities reportedly performed the

amputation in front of a large crowd. Similar tongue amputations also reportedly occurred.22

 

15 Page 7, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

16 Ibid, Page 5

17 Ibid, Page 2

18 Ibid, Page 3

19 Ibid, Page 3

20 Ibid, Page 4

21 Ibid, Page 6

22 Ibid, Page 4-5
13

ß Refugees fleeing to Europe often reported instances of torture to receiving governments, and displayed

scars and mutilations to substantiate their claims.23

ß In August 2001 Amnesty International released a report entitled Iraq -- Systematic Torture of Political

Prisoners, which detailed the systematic and routine use of torture against suspected political

opponents and, occasionally, other prisoners. Amnesty International also reports “Detainees have also

been threatened with bringing in a female relative, especially the wife or the mother, and raping her in

front of the detainee. Some of these threats have been carried out.”24

ß Saad Keis Naoman, an Iraqi soccer player who defected to Europe, reported that he and his

teammates were beaten and humiliated at the order of Uday Saddam Hussein for poor performances.

He was flogged until his back was bloody, forcing him to sleep on his stomach in the tiny cell in AlRadwaniya prison.25

EXECUTIONS AND REPRESSION OF POLITICAL OPPOSITION

ß Former UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur Max Van der Stoel’s report in April 1998 stated that Iraq

had executed at least 1,500 people during the previous year for political reasons.

ß The government continues to execute summarily alleged political opponents and leaders in the Shi’a

religious community. Reports suggest that persons were executed merely because of their association

with an opposition group or as part of a continuing effort to reduce prison populations.26

ß In February 2001, the Government reportedly executed 37 political detainees for opposition activity.27

ß In June 2001, security forces killed a Shi’a cleric, Hussein Bahar al-Uloom, for refusing to appear on

television to congratulate Qusay Saddam Hussein for his election to a Ba’th Party position. Such

killings continue an apparent government policy of eliminating prominent Shi’a clerics who are

suspected of disloyalty to the government. In 1998 and 1999, the Government killed a number of

leading Shi’a clerics, prompting the former Special Rapporteur in 1999 to express his concern to the

government that the killings might be part of a systematic attack by government officials on the

independent leadership of the Shi’a Muslim community. The government did not respond to the

Special Rapporteur’s letter.28

ß There are persistent reports that families are made to pay for the cost of executions.29

ß Saddam Hussein destroyed the southern Iraqi town of Albu ‘Aysh sometime between September 1998

and December 1999.30

 

23 Page 4, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

24 Iraq – Systematic Torture of Political Prisoners; Amnesty International; web.amnesty.org

25 Page 4, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

26 Ibid, Page 1

27 Ibid, Page 2

28 Ibid, Page 2

29 Ibid, Page 4

30 Iraq – Systematic Torture of Political Prisoners; Amnesty International; web.amnesty.org
14

ß Iraq has conducted a systematic “Arabization” campaign of ethnic cleansing designed to harass and

expel ethnic Kurds and Turkmen from government-controlled areas. Non-Arab citizens are forced to

change their ethnicity or their identity documents and adopt Arab names, or they are deprived of their

homes, property and food-ration cards, and expelled.

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S ABUSE OF CHILDREN

ß Saddam Hussein has held 3-week training courses in weapons use, hand-to-hand fighting, rappelling

from helicopters, and infantry tactics for children between 10 and 15 years of age. Camps for these

"Saddam Cubs" operated throughout the country. Senior military officers who supervised the courses

noted that the children held up under the "physical and psychological strain" of training that lasted for

as long as 14 hours each day. Sources in the opposition report that the army found it difficult to recruit

enough children to fill all of the vacancies in the program. Families reportedly were threatened with the

loss of their food ration cards if they refused to enroll their children in the course. The Supreme Council

for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq reported in October 1999 that authorities were denying food ration

cards to families that failed to send their young sons to Saddam Cubs compulsory weapons-training

camps. Similarly, authorities reportedly withheld school examination results to students unless they

registered in the Fedayeen Saddam organization.31

ß Iraq often announces food ration cuts for the general population, blaming US or UK actions. Among

the most controversial have been cuts in baby milk rations. Iraq has blamed the shortages on US and

UK contract rejections, although the UN has approved all baby milk contracts submitted.

ß Child labor persists and there are instances of forced labor.

ß There are widespread reports that food and medicine that could have been made available to the

general public, including children, have been stockpiled in warehouses or diverted for the personal use

of some government officials.32

DISAPPEARANCES

ß Amnesty International reported that Iraq has the world’s worst record for numbers of persons who have

disappeared or remain unaccounted for. 33

ß In 1999, the UN Special Rapporteur stated that Iraq remains the country with the highest number of

disappearances known to the UN: over 16,000.

BASIC FREEDOMS: FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

ß In practice, Saddam Hussein does not permit freedom of speech or of the press, and does not tolerate

political dissent in areas under its control. In November 2000, the UN General Assembly criticized

Saddam Hussein’s "suppression of freedom of thought, expression, information, association, and

assembly." The Special Rapporteur stated in October 1999 that citizens lived "in a climate of fear," in

 

31 Page 1, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

32 Ibid, Page 16

33 Ibid, Page 3
15

which whatever they said or did, particularly in the area of politics, involved "the risk of arrest and

interrogation by the police or military intelligence." He noted that "the mere suggestion that someone is

not a supporter of the President carries the prospect of the death penalty."34

ß In June 2001, the Human Rights Alliance reported that Saddam Hussein had killed more than 500

journalists and other intellectuals in the past decade.35

ß Saddam Hussein frequently infringes on citizens' constitutional right to privacy. Saddam routinely

ignores constitutional provisions designed to protect the confidentiality of mail, telegraphic

correspondence, and telephone conversations. Iraq periodically jams news broadcasts from outside the

country, including those of opposition groups. The security services and the Ba'th Party maintain

pervasive networks of informers to deter dissident activity and instill fear in the public.36

ß Foreign journalists must work from offices located within the Iraqi ministry building and are

accompanied everywhere they go by ministry officers, who reportedly restrict their movements and

make it impossible for them to interact freely with citizens.37

ß The Iraqi Government, the Ba'th Party, or persons close to Saddam Hussein own all print and

broadcast media, and operate them as propaganda outlets. They generally do not report opposing

points of view that are expressed either domestically or abroad.38

ß In September 1999, Hashem Hasan, a journalist and Baghdad University professor, was arrested after

declining an appointment as editor of one of Uday Hussein's publications. The Paris-based Reporters

Sans Frontieres (RSF) sent a letter of appeal to Uday Hussein; however, Hassan's fate and

whereabouts remained unknown at year's end.39

ß Saddam Hussein regularly jams foreign news broadcasts. Satellite dishes, modems, and fax machines

are banned, although some restrictions reportedly were lifted in 1999.40

ß In government-operated Internet cafes, users only are permitted to view web sites provided by the

Ministry of Culture and Information.41

ß In 1999, Uday Hussein reportedly dismissed hundreds of members of the Iraqi Union of Journalists for

not praising Saddam Hussein and the Government sufficiently.42

 

34 Page 9, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

35 Ibid, Page 9

36 Ibid, Page 7

37 Ibid, Page 9

38 Ibid, Page 9

39 Ibid, Page 10

40 Ibid, Page 10

41 Ibid, Page 10

42 Ibid, Page 10
16

WITHHOLDING OF FOOD

ß Relatives who do not report deserters may lose their ration cards for purchasing government-controlled

food supplies, be evicted from their residences, or face the arrest of other family members. The

Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq reported in October and December 1999 that

authorities denied food ration cards to families that failed to send their young sons to the "Saddam’s

Cubs” compulsory weapons training camps.43

CRIMES AGAINST MUSLIMS

ß The Government consistently politicizes and interferes with religious pilgrimages, both of Iraqi Muslims

who wish to make the Hajj to Mecca and Medina and of Iraqi and non-Iraqi Muslim pilgrims who travel

to holy sites within the country. For example, in 1998 the UN Sanctions Committee offered to disburse

vouchers for travel and expenses to pilgrims making the Hajj; however, the Government rejected this

offer. In 1999 the Sanctions Committee offered to disburse funds to cover Hajj-related expenses via a

neutral third party; the Government again rejected the offer. Following the December 1999 passage of

UN Security Council Resolution 1284, the Sanctions Committee again sought to devise a protocol to

facilitate the payment for individuals making the journey. The Sanctions Committee proposed to issue

$250 in cash and $1,750 in travelers checks to each individual pilgrim to be distributed at the U.N.

office in Baghdad in the presence of both U.N. and Iraqi officials. The Government again declined and,

consequently, no Iraqi pilgrims were able to take advantage of the available funds or, in 2000, of the

permitted flights. The Government continued to insist that these funds would be accepted only if they

were paid in cash to the government-controlled central bank, not to the Hajj pilgrims.44

More than 95 percent of the population of Iraq are Muslim. The (predominantly Arab) Shi'a Muslims

constitute a 60 to 65 percent majority:

ß The Iraqi government has for decades conducted a brutal campaign of murder, summary execution,

and protracted arbitrary arrest against the religious leaders and followers of the majority Shi'a Muslim

population. Despite nominal legal protection of religious equality, the Government has repressed

severely the Shi'a clergy and those who follow the Shi'a faith. 45

ß Forces from the Mukhabarat, General Security (Amn Al-Amm), the Military Bureau, Saddam's

Commandos (Fedayeen Saddam), and the Ba'th Party have killed senior Shi'a clerics, desecrated Shi'a

mosques and holy sites, and interfered with Shi'a religious education. Security agents reportedly are

stationed at all the major Shi'a mosques and shrines, where they search, harass, and arbitrarily arrest

worshipers.46

 

43 Page 8, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

44 Ibid, Page 11-12

45 Ibid, Page 11

46 Ibid, Page 11
17

ß The following government restrictions on religious rights remained in effect during 2001: restrictions

and outright bans on communal Friday prayer by Shi'a Muslims; restrictions on the loaning of books by

Shi'a mosque libraries; a ban on the broadcast of Shi'a programs on government-controlled radio or

television; a ban on the publication of Shi'a books, including prayer books and guides; a ban on funeral

processions other than those organized by the Government; a ban on other Shi'a funeral observances

such as gatherings for Koran reading; and the prohibition of certain processions and public meetings

that commemorate Shi'a holy days. Shi'a groups report that they captured documents from the security

services during the 1991 uprising that listed thousands of forbidden Shi'a religious writings.47

ß In June 1999, several Shi'a opposition groups reported that the Government instituted a program in the

predominantly Shi'a districts of Baghdad that used food ration cards to restrict where individuals could

pray. The ration cards, part of the UN oil-for-food program, reportedly are checked when the bearer

enters a mosque and are printed with a notice of severe penalties for those who attempt to pray at an

unauthorized location.48

 

47 Page 11, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

48 Ibid, Page 11
18

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Iraq is one of seven countries that have been designated by the Secretary of State as state sponsors of

international terrorism. UNSCR 687 prohibits Saddam Hussein from committing or supporting terrorism, or

allowing terrorist organizations to operate in Iraq. Saddam continues to violate these UNSCR provisions.49

ß In 1993, the Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS) directed and pursued an attempt to assassinate, through the

use of a powerful car bomb, former U.S. President George Bush and the Emir of Kuwait. Kuwaiti

authorities thwarted the terrorist plot and arrested 16 suspects, led by two Iraqi nationals.

ß Iraq shelters terrorist groups including the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO), which has used

terrorist violence against Iran and in the 1970s was responsible for killing several U.S. military

personnel and U.S. civilians.50

ß Iraq shelters several prominent Palestinian terrorist organizations in Baghdad, including the Palestine

Liberation Front (PLF), which is known for aerial attacks against Israel and is headed by Abu Abbas,

who carried out the 1985 hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro and murdered U.S. citizen Leon

Klinghoffer.51

ß Iraq shelters the Abu Nidal Organization, an international terrorist organization that has carried out

terrorist attacks in twenty countries, killing or injuring almost 900 people. Targets have included the

United States and several other Western nations. Each of these groups have offices in Baghdad and

receive training, logistical assistance, and financial aid from the government of Iraq.52

ß In April 2002, Saddam Hussein increased from $10,000 to $25,000 the money offered to families of

Palestinian suicide/homicide bombers. The rules for rewarding suicide/homicide bombers are strict

and insist that only someone who blows himself up with a belt of explosives gets the full payment.

Payments are made on a strict scale, with different amounts for wounds, disablement, death as a

“martyr” and $25,000 for a suicide bomber. Mahmoud Besharat, a representative on the West Bank

who is handing out to families the money from Saddam, said, “You would have to ask President

Saddam why he is being so generous. But he is a revolutionary and he wants this distinguished

struggle, the intifada, to continue."53

ß Former Iraqi military officers have described a highly secret terrorist training facility in Iraq known as

Salman Pak, where both Iraqis and non-Iraqi Arabs receive training on hijacking planes and trains,

planting explosives in cities, sabotage, and assassinations.

 

49 Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001: Overview of State-Sponsored Terrorism; US Department of State; May 21, 2002.

50 Ibid.

51 Ibid.

52 Ibid.

53 “Jenin Families Pocket Iraqi Cash”; The Washington Times: London Daily Telegraph; May 31, 2002.
19

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S REFUSAL TO ACCOUNT FOR GULF WAR PRISONERS

UNSCRs 686, 687 and others require Saddam Hussein to release immediately any Gulf War prisoners and

to cooperate in accounting for missing and dead Kuwaitis and others from the Gulf War. Saddam has

continued to violate these resolutions.

ß Saddam Hussein has failed to return, or account for, a large number of Kuwaiti citizens and citizens of

other countries who were detained during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait and continues to refuse to

cooperate with the Tripartite Commission to resolve the cases.

ß Of 609 cases of missing Gulf War POWs/MIAs representing 14 nationalities – including one American

pilot – under review by the Tripartite Commission on Gulf War Missing, only 4 have been resolved.

Because of continued Iraqi obfuscation and concealment, very few cases have been resolved since the

Gulf War. Saddam Hussein denies having any knowledge of the others and claims that any relevant

records were lost in the aftermath of the Gulf War.

ß In a December 2001 report to the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General criticized the Iraqi

Government's refusal to cooperate with the U.N. on the issue of the missing POWs/MIAs citizens. Iran

reports that the Iraqi Government still has not accounted for 5,000 Iranian POW's missing since the

Iran-Iraq War.

ß “Secretary General reiterates little progress on the issue of repatriation or return of all Kuwaiti and third

country nationals or their remains, as Iraq refused to cooperate with the Tripartite Commission.”54

ß In August 2001, Amnesty International reported that Saddam Hussein has the world's worst record for

numbers of persons who have disappeared and remain unaccounted for. 55

ß The Iraqi Government continued to ignore the more than 16,000 cases conveyed to it in 1994 and 1995

by the UN, as well as requests from the Governments of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to account for the

whereabouts of those who had disappeared during Iraq's 1990-91 occupation of Kuwait, and from Iran

regarding the whereabouts of prisoners of war that Iraq captured in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. 56

ß “Security Council regrets that no progress made on return of Kuwaiti national archives, reiterate need

for Iraq to immediately fulfill all requirements under the relevant resolutions, including repatriation or

return of all Kuwaiti and third country nationals or their remains.”57

 

54 Vorontsov Report; UN SG/2002/931 on Iraqi Non-Compliance With UNSCR 1284

55 Page 3, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Iraq, March 4, 2002; US Department of State; www.state.gov

56 Ibid, Page 3

57 Vorontsov Report; UN SG/2002/931 on Iraqi Non-Compliance With UNSCR 1284
20

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S REFUSAL TO RETURN STOLEN PROPERTY

Iraq destroyed much stolen property before it could be returned, and Kuwait claims that large quantities of

equipment remain unaccounted for:

ß The UN and Kuwait say Iraq has not returned extensive Kuwaiti state archives and museum pieces, as

well as military equipment, including eight Mirage F-1 aircraft, 245 Russian-made fighting vehicles, 90

M113 armored personnel carriers, one Hawk battery, 3,750 Tow and anti-tank missiles, and 675

Russian-made surface-to-air missile batteries.
21

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S EFFORTS TO CIRCUMVENT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND

IMPEDE THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM

ß Saddam Hussein has illegally imported hundreds of millions of dollars in goods in violation of economic

sanctions and outside of the UN’s Oil-for-Food program. For example, Iraq has imported fiber optic

communications systems that support the Iraqi military.

ß Iraq has diverted dual-use items obtained under the Oil for Food program for military purposes. For

example, Iraq diverted UN approved trucks from humanitarian relief purposes to military purposes, and

has used construction equipment to help rebuild WMD-affiliated facilities.

ß The Iraqi regime illicitly exports hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil each day in flagrant violation of

UNSCRs and blatant disregard for the humanitarian well-being of the Iraqi people. In so doing, it has

deprived the Iraqi people of billions of dollars in food, medicine, and other humanitarian assistance that

would have been provided if the regime had exported the oil under the UN Oil-for-Food program.

Instead, Saddam Hussein has used these billions to fund his WMD programs, pay off his security

apparatus, and supply himself and his supporters with luxury items and other goods.

ß In January 2002, President Bush reported to Congress that “as most recently stated in a November 19

UN report, the government of Iraq is not committed to using funds available through the Oil for Food

program to improve the health and welfare of the Iraqi people...Iraq’s contracting delays, cuts in food,

medicine, educational and other humanitarian sector allocations, government attempts to impede or

shut down humanitarian NGO operations in northern Iraq, and Baghdad’s delays in the issuance of

visas for UN personnel demonstrate that the Iraqi regime is trying to undermine the effectiveness of the

program.”58

ß Saddam Hussein spends smuggled oil wealth on his lavish palaces and inner circle, rather than on the

humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people.

ß Saddam Hussein has used water pumps, piping, and other supplies that could have been used to

repair urban sewer and water systems in order to construct moats and canals at his palaces.

 

58 President’s Report to Congress; January 2002; under P.L. 102-1