US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4379

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004379 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, PINR, IZ, Human Rights 
SUBJECT: MOI IG CLAIMS HIGH LEVEL RESISTENCE TO IG EFFORTS; 
 SOME IMPROVEMENT 
 
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBERT S. FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) 
AND (D). 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: Ministry of Interior (MoI) Inspector 
General (IG) Nori Al-Nori told PolOff on October 18 that 
there is some improvement in the human rights situation 
within MoI, but there is resistance at the highest levels 
to IG efforts in fighting abuse and corruption.  Steps have 
been taken to reduce corruption and abuse, to include the 
conduct of many investigations and punishment of some 
officials found guilty of malfeasance.  A group of IGs from 
various ministries is trying to establish a task force to 
monitor detention facilities and prisons, which is also a 
mandate of the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR).  We have 
yet to see results of any of the investigations conducted 
by the IG and his focus continues to be on corruption.  Al- 
Nori requested additional training and regular meetings 
with PolOff.  U.S. advisors will continue to work closely 
with him to address human rights and corruption issues, as 
well as to identify training opportunities.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 
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2. (C) MoI IG Nori Al-Nori told PolOff on October 18 that, 
although there is some improvement in the human rights 
situation within MoI, there is resistance at the highest 
levels to IG efforts in fighting abuse and corruption.  He 
noted that much of the resistance is coming from the 
officers commanding the various units.  As a result, said 
Al-Nori, corruption and human rights abuses continue 
despite steps taken to reduce them. 
 
3. (C) These steps include a hotline installed to respond 
to the public's complaints and concerns, the conduct of 
many investigations, and punishment of some police 
officials for malfeasance.  Al-Nori said that, in the last 
four months, the IG has opened more than 650 
investigations; however, most of these cases relate to 
corruption. (NOTE:  In addition to providing education on 
standards of conduct, the Multi-National Security 
Transition Command- Iraq has embedded Special Police 
Transition Teams and Police Transition Teams, which provide 
Coalition mentorship and monitoring to ensure operations 
are conducted in accordance with acceptable standards. 
Discrepancies are reported and tracked accordingly.  END 
NOTE.) 
 
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JOINT TASK FORCE PROPOSAL BY IG'S 
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4. (C) Additionally, IGs from the Ministries of Defense, 
Human Rights, and Justice -- among others -- have begun to 
collaborate, developing a strategy to establish standards 
and coordinate their efforts.  The group plans to approach 
the Minister of Interior with a request that he allow a 
joint task force comprising IG staff from various 
ministries to inspect MoI detention facilities.  (NOTE: 
There is currently a section within the Ministry of Human 
Rights (MoHR) that is responsible for monitoring and 
reporting on the conditions of detention facilities and 
prisons.  Deputy Minister of Human Rights Aida Osairan told 
PolOff on October 24 that she opposes the implementation of 
this task force because it would undermine the efforts of 
MoHR.  She also said that MoHR's IG, who some describe as 
anti-Coalition, told her that the task force was his idea. 
Osairan said that Acting Minister of Human Rights Narmin 
Othman supports the idea.  END NOTE.) 
 
5. (C) Al-Nori agreed to provide PolOff with statistics 
regarding corruption and abuse cases, as well as their 
status and disposition.  Al-Nori emphasized the need to 
empower the IG system, noting that without independence 
(including a separate budget) the IGs in all ministries 
would continue to struggle.  Al-Nori, who requested to meet 
with PolOff on a weekly basis, asked for technical 
assistance to help strengthen MoI's human rights efforts. 
He also asked for help in identifying training and exchange 
opportunities to build up the Directorate's capacity. 
 
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COMMENT 
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6. (C) Al-Nori is considered by many to be a leader in 
efforts to strengthen the IG system and protect its 
independence. (NOTE: There are, however, conflicting 
reports about Al-Nori's integrity.  END NOTE.)  The fact 
remains that we have seen no concrete results of 
investigations into human rights abuses.  His focus appears 
to be primarily corruption.  In fact, Al-Nori clearly did 
not want to discuss the persistent allegations of human 
rights abuses by police forces and even got quite defensive 
when PolOff pressed him on the fact that it appears police 
are committing these abuses with impunity.  Al-Nori 
eventually ventured to say that he has safety concerns for 
himself and his staff and offered to provide PolOff with a 
complete list of investigations of human rights abuses.  It 
remains to be seen whether security concerns are driving 
his reluctance to engage on human rights abuse issues or 
some other factor.  Post will continue to work with Al-Nori 
(U.S. advisors regularly liaise with him) and his staff to 
address human rights and corruption within MoI, as well as 
to try to help support the training of his 1500 persons 
office of Inspector General.  END COMMENT. 
 
Satterfield