Inside Iraq's Only Women's Prison

(CBS)  Imagine women in prison because their husbands are accused of terrorism. Now imagine their infants and children in prison with them. Worst of all, it seems they have no way out.

CBS News Correspondent Elizabeth Palmer visited such a place with Iraqi Vice President Tareq al Hashemi, who had come to inspect Iraq's only women's jail.

The women prisoners of Khadimiya jail had been waiting a long time for the chance to be heard, some shouting from behind bars:

"Our husbands were accused ... and we were arrested."

"Many of us have been raped."

"We were pregnant and lost our babies."

Almost 200 inmates live in the prison, many with their children. Some of the babies were born behind bars.

Most of the women are being held on vague terrorism charges, with little or no evidence and no hope of legal advice -- or even a court date.

"They accused my husband," one woman said. "Then arrested me too but I've done nothing!"

Another prisoner said through tears, "I was detained in the Green Zone by the Americans two years ago. I have no idea what's happened to my family."

With the cameras rolling, al Hashemi -- a smooth politician -- tried to reassure them.

"We'll appoint a committee to look into your cases," he told them.

But the women were having none of it.

Sitting cross-legged in her bunk, one replied, "I don't believe you. I've been waiting a year-and-a-half to find out why I am here."

And there were stories that al Hashemi would rather not have heard.

"I was raped after I was arrested," one woman claimed. "They have sentenced me to 20 years on terrorism charges."

Such a statement is taboo in a country where a women's honor is everything, and it makes the vice president squirm.

Al Hashemi told Palmer: "They try to talk openly but I just stopped them. It's damaging, in fact. Damaging. Damaging my personality being a vice president in fact that Iraqi women are treated like that."

When pressed, al Hashemi did confirm the women's accounts of abuse by police and interrogators -- long before they arrived in their overcrowded cells.

"This is the most critical area," he said. "Where the torturing, the rape, everything, all these bad experiences, fraud, malpractice is done at this stage."

Then they come to Khadimiya jail and wait for justice.

To the damaged and the despairing, it might as well be a life sentence.

[b-easy63]

He was wrong. Do you believe that their barbarianism is anyone''''s fault besides their own? I don''''t. Seriously.

Posted by deemsnyd at 09:25 PM : Dec 23, 2007


Hmmmm.. Some arsonists start a fire to make themselves look like heroes by later saving people. The fire gets out of control and consumes everything in its path.

Many victims have burned limbs and die. The arsonists claim that they meant no harm and really do not want to be held liable for the fire they started. After all, it is inherent to fires to burn everything and fire has been doing that since time immemorial. Surely no one can think, just because there was no mass scale fire there and the arsonists set it--that THESE deaths at THIS time (no matter how many fires in the past) is the fault of the people who set them.

Get a clue. They have been hammering you and other war mongers in the face for a few years now. Only you and other idiots are standing on the tracks and think that bright shiny light coming toward you is the end of the tunnel.

[b-easy63]

''''m tired of Iraq this, Iraq that. Write about some other countries once in a while.

Posted by MotherHen11 at 07:25 AM : Dec 24, 2007


We should have the results of our actions of invading Iraq crammed into our throats until it spews out of our nostrils--it is the least we can suffer for all that our invasion has caused. If you don''t like it, or aren''t even human enough to stomach this, then put your head back up your azz.

[motherhen11]

I''m tired of Iraq this, Iraq that. Write about some other countries once in a while.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Innocent til proven guilty no longer is available,unless you have alot of $ or know the right people in ANY country."
Posted by OldThought

Then it becomes "innocent even after proven guilty"...

[Netterz]

Innocent til proven guilty no longer is available,unless you have alot of $ or know the right people in ANY country.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by SafTGuy2

The reason it wasn''t mentioned is because the "new Iraqi government and its'' police actions" are a direct result of the US military.

Weak try at disconnect, you must be from the GOP.

[usakousagi]

Its easy to just criticize people try''''n on the sidelines. Its easy to just sit back in yer armchairs and say: "Well ain''''t dat stupid!" Quite another to have an alternative solution. Ain''''t it Democrat. I don''''t know what pisses me off worse. The right wing lunatics in the pockets of bankers killing people, or you saying you had a better idea.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by uzzisanta

Yes... We are on the sidelines... yes a lot of us are saying we had better ideas. Guess what I had a better idea but I''m an 18 year old female wasn''t even old enough to vote at the time just paid attention and had a better idea. I don''t think anyone would have allowed me to implement it though what do you think? I really don''t think I have a choice. If it were my choice we would have never gone there, my cousin would be arguing with me over who has to say grace... This definitely not MY plan.

[deemsnyd]

Iceman_1960

I am well aware of what Bush stated as his objectives for Iraq. I am also aware of the fact that his idea is impossible, they are not capable. Their culture never has been. He was wrong. Do you believe that their barbarianism is anyone''s fault besides their own? I don''t. Seriously.

[iceman_1960]

"Democracy takes different forms in different cultures."

So says George W*anker Bush.

So in Iraq it takes the form of imprisoning and r*aping innocent women ?

Is this what 4,000 American troops died for ?

[saftguy2]

mcdazz wrote:

"Where did it say in the story that it was as a result of the US Military?"

That''s the point. You are correct mcdazz; they did not say "who" did the jailing. CBS left the reader/the viewer with the conclusion that it must have been the actions of the US Military. Why else have the reporter include that the duly DEMOCRATICALLY elected Vice President visited the prisoners? Why were their no statements or interviews with the US Military? They certainly could have stated "who" performed the jailing and why they remain jailed. Instead, they played on emotions and a sick dread that it must have been our guys that did it.

I am not a Bush lover nor am I a hater. I could live without the Fox channel too (I like the BBC). I just support our troops and I am sick of the Medias constant negative spin just to get ratings. CAUSE that was all it was about on the weekend before Christmas.... ratings.

Shame Shame CBS''s Elizabeth Palmer.