Despite the Obama Administration’s claims that the US had transformed Iraq into a free society by way of its eight and a half year occupation, a new report today from Human Rights Watch warns of an unsettling move toward authoritarianism.
The report, which terms Iraq a “budding police state,” warns that the government “routinely abuse protesters, harass journalists, torture detainees and intimidate activists.” The report referred back to early attempts at Arab Spring protests in Iraq, which ended with bloody crackdowns and mass arrests.
It also details mass arrests of Ba’ath Party suspects, which took place in the last weeks before the US pullout. Most of the detainees remain held without charges.
The report is just an annual one, but the timing could be particularly irksome for the Maliki government, with ongoing concern about his recent mass arresting of political opponents.
'Thank you America for liberating us!'
'As you may well know, Imitation is the highest form of flattery.'
'And we want to just like you in every way!'
“routinely abuse protesters, harass journalists, torture detainees and intimidate activists.”
This is a description of Iraq and the US.
like father (baasturd`raat) like beeeithch offsprung layed/hatched
According to Ryan Crocker's Wikileak, this is all in the USG's best interests. This is more of the same ol, same ol. On top of the usual pissed off populace you have the Al Qaida/CIA/Mossad yahoos running around with magnetic bombs and bags of explosives. At least one such group has recently fallen afoul of the Iraqi Feds:
http://theliveload.blogspot.com/2012/01/al-qaidam…
Iraq becoming a police state?
In other words becoming the same as the USA.
Like having the ability to pick people up, imprison and torture them, kill them or rendition them out abroad for yet more torture all on the Presidents say so and no account to authority or law.
If this is the direction of Iraq – sad indeed – to have one such fascist police state like the USA is enough for the decent folk on the rest of the planet thanks.
"…move toward authoritarianism" Move toward?? these HRW guys and gals must have been sleeping throughout the whole occupation period. They probably missed the whole shock and awe show — Or should we call it "engulf and devour. "
looks like progress
This should not be a surprise to anyone…….America is no longer "the land of the free", so why would any of our imperialistic outposts be blessed with democracy and freedom?
Well, it was always the goal to make Iraq more like the United States. Mission accomplished!