Iraq: The need for security

Index Number: MDE 14/143/2003
Date Published: 3 July 2003
Categories: Iraq, Middle East And North Africa

"No one is safe." "We need security, not food." "We’re too scared to go out." Time and again such sentiments were voiced by Iraqis to teams of Amnesty International (AI) delegates in Basra, southern Iraq, from 24 April. This report, based on research carried out by AI delegates in Basra in April, May and June, demands urgent action from the occupying powers to protect the lives, security and well-being of the Iraqi people. It focuses on the situation in one city, but the lawlessness and lack of security are prevalent in many parts of Iraq and the situation in Baghdad may be even worse.