Women in Iraqi camps: victims of sexual and political exploitation

Iraq

I arrived at the camp after my husband was killed by ISIS, and I learned of my pregnancy in the first month after that. My daughter was born in the camp. During this period, I was exposed to many accusations by the camp residents and workers. Some accused me that my child’s father belonged to ISIS, and others accused me that this child was the result of an illegitimate pregnancy. victims of sexual and political exploitation

Every time when I went to the health center to get milk for my child, one of the workers tried to blackmail me by asking for a sexual relationship in exchange for the health and food supplies he provides me. victims of sexual and political exploitation

This is what Aisha Salim, 26 years old, and a displaced  in one of the Hammam Al-Alil camps, south of Mosul, the capital of Nineveh Governorate in Iraq, said. In 2015, she fled her city of Khazir, located north of Mosul, after her husband was killed during ISIS’s takeover of the city. She took refuge in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a group of people who fled from various areas controlled by the organization.

Aisha  in the Hammam Al-Alil camp after her city, “Khazir,” was destroyed by the Kurdish forces known as “Peshmerga” during their control of these cities in 2016 to pursue ISIS. She was unable to return to it.

Years after the elimination of ISIS, the issue of the displaced is still being passed under the dome of Parliament with every election cycle, and with repeated promises to members of Parliament to solve the crisis of the displaced and return them to their residential areas. victims of sexual and political exploitation

According to official figures for the year 2022, there are approximately one million and 200 thousand displaced people who are still outside their original areas, of whom approximately 25% are in official camps, while the rest live outside the framework of official camps, according to former member of the High Commission for Human Rights, Dr. Ali Al-Bayati. To this day, the Iraqi government has not been able to carry out actual reconstruction campaigns for these areas.

 

They Turned Into Monsters

Throughout history, in times of disasters and wars, women and children have been the most vulnerable to psychological and physical exploitation. Women who were forced to flee from ISIS and leave their homes for displacement camps found themselves susceptible to sexual blackmail in exchange for protection or relief, only to be exposed to exploitation by other groups. The people who were supposed to protect them have turned into monsters preying on them. The number of women in all Iraqi displacement camps in 2019 reached about 144,203, according to the Supreme Humanitarian Cell for Coordination and Camp Management in Iraq. It involves groups responsible for following up on the return of the displaced, including government agencies. A local and international organization called The Returns Working Group stated, “The clans and security authorities in some liberated areas that witnessed waves of displacement to other areas were the main reason for obstructing the return of the displaced to their areas of residence, due to the connection of a member of the displaced families to ISIS.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

This group was established in 2016, in line with the strategic objective of the 2016 Iraq Humanitarian Response Plan, to support volunteering, secure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons, monitor and report on conditions in areas of return, and determine the extent to which durable solutions have been achieved or progress made for returnees. The group’s main goal is to support and strengthen the national response to the challenge of reintegrating displaced people into Iraqi society. victims of sexual and political exploitation

The group explains that “failure to ensure the sustainable return of displaced people to their communities of origin may lead to new violence within society, in the medium or long term for the displaced.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

Exposure to Harassment by Security Forces

The plight that women are experiencing in displacement camps has yet to be addressed, despite representatives of the Sunni component in the Iraqi parliament raising the issue during every election session. In the Habbaniyah camp, located east of the city of Fallujah in Anbar Governorate, women face significant challenges. The majority of them are subjected to harassment by the security forces controlling the camp, as documented by organizations responsible for psychological support for the displaced. victims of sexual and political exploitation

Dalia Muhammad,  psychological researcher, said that, “Most women in this camp come from village communities governed by tribal customs, where the man has the first and last word. Despite the difficulties they face—losing homes, family members, and the harsh living conditions in the camps—some are still afraid of scandal. They refrain from making complaints or exposing harassers due to the fear that other displaced women from their community will accuse them of being the culprit.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

During repeated visits to the camp, Muhammad built a strong relationship of trust with some women and documented cases of prolonged physical attacks. Some victims yielded to threats, while others were brave enough to expose the blackmailers and inform the relevant authorities. victims of sexual and political exploitation

Laila Essam, a 27-year-old, displaced with her sisters and mother after her father’s death in 2016 in the Al-Qaim area, shared her experience. Al-Qaim, near the Syrian border, remains disputed, with clans resisting the return of some displaced individuals suspected of belonging to ISIS. victims of sexual and political exploitation

Laila, one of those harassed in the Habbaniyah camp, recounted, “Members of one of the towers responsible for protecting the camp harassed us, throwing insults and making constant advances. When we filed a complaint, the camp administration only transferred them, which did not resolve the problem. Subsequent personnel continued the harassment. Other women who faced harassment by different parties, including those in control of the camp, security personnel, and even camp employees, avoid reporting to ensure continued access to services like relief materials or better tents for protection from extreme weather conditions.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

While some women fear that they will be exposed to a bigger charge, namely terrorism and belonging to ISIS, by the security forces, they also fear scandal. The camp represents a small community for them, and any event is liable to spread quickly among the camp members, according to Laila. victims of sexual and political exploitation

During my conversation with a number of specialists in the rights of displaced persons from international organizations, they said that they are trying, through strict laws—legal prosecution, monitoring, and constant visits by relief staff—to limit the violations occurring in camps for displaced persons and refugees in various countries. However, they acknowledge the difficulty of eliminating them, especially those violations that occur by local organizations or security forces and workers in this field. victims of sexual and political exploitation

 

Vulnerable to Exploitation

Concerning the operation of international organizations on migration and displacement to reduce violations against women in camps, Omar Muhammad, a 28-year-old relief worker in an international organization, Local organization employees decide who is entitled to food and health supplies. Sometimes, they exploit databases of displaced people, containing detailed information like names, dates of birth, gender, marital status, family address, car type, date of displacement, and details about family members who joined ISIS, including the time of their death or disappearance. Blackmail is carried out using this data.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

Omar adds, “The exploitation of women doesn’t only occur through the distribution of food supplies. These women are stereotyped as being from ISIS-affiliated families, making them easily exploitable.” Previously, women who lost their husbands and became pregnant before their husbands’ death, or lost their documents during displacement, needed specialized employees to issue civil documents for their children. In some cases, these women were exploited, especially if the family consisted only of women, which is common in camps. Employees of government departments or security forces in the camps exploit them. Some men are also afraid to go to official departments, fearing suspicion of being wanted by security forces due to displacement from ISIS hotbed areas. They remain vulnerable to exploitation when obtaining official IDs, and camp administration databases may indicate complicity of employees in exploiting women. victims of sexual and political exploitation

“I could face charges of collusion with women.”

After years of sectarian fighting and ethnic discrimination, some cities still refuse the return of the displaced to their areas of residence, including the “Hatra” district in Mosul, which is controlled by the Popular Mobilization Forces and these families are not allowed to return to their areas, as well as the Jurf al-Sakhar area, southwest of Baghdad, The area has been under the control of the Hezbollah Brigades militia since 2014, which has prevented families from returning there for years, and the areas of Salah al-Din, Baiji, and al-Qaim, which are under the control of groups from the Popular Mobilization Forces and clans. This was confirmed by Osama Al-Hiti, 26 years old (a pseudonym), a member of the legal committees at the Al-Namaa Center for Human Rights from Salah al-Din Governorate, central Iraq. victims of sexual and political exploitation

Osama said that, “ The demographic change in many liberated areas was the main reason for preventing the return of the displaced, and for the militias to seize the families’ property of agricultural lands and other real estates. In some areas, the militias imposed royalties on the land owners, and they were sold at a low price under threat. The Jurf al-Sakhr area is considered a military barracks for the Hezbollah brigades. God, therefore it is impossible for the displaced residents of these areas to return to them.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

He adds, “During my visit with one of the volunteer teams to one of the camps, to provide food aid that was collected in the form of donations by merchants and some individuals, I documented a number of violations against the displaced, including the blackmailing of some women by camp employees and security authorities in exchange for physical relations to deliver food aid to them.” I tried to help some of them, but this was impossible with the lack of security protection for them, as I was informed by security authorities that I might face charges of collusion with women in terrorist acts.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

“I feel terrified.”

Amal Muhammad, 17 years old, came to Amiriyat al-Fallujah camp for displaced people in Anbar Governorate five years ago with her family from Jurf al-Sakhar, about 60 km southwest of Baghdad. victims of sexual and political exploitation

After her brother, who belonged to ISIS, was killed while she was fleeing with her family, she says, “Every time security men come to the camp for inspection, I feel terrified. Some of them were trying to harass me during the security check, as they were interrogating all the camp residents about the actions and whereabouts of their relatives suspected of belonging to ISIS. I was easy prey for them because I have a brother involved with a terrorist organization. One time I kicked a policeman because he tried to harass me. I know that I and my family may face terrorism charges, but I will defend myself.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

Amal talked about the dreams of girls her age in this camp to depict for us the saying, “Every person has a share of his name.” As a teenager, she lives the passion of dreams to achieve them, which is to become an architect, as she hopes. Perhaps one day she will be able to return to her city and rebuild her home with her father and her younger sisters. However, she sees this as impossible at the present time because the militias that control the Jurf al-Sakhar district, such as Hezbollah, al-Nujaba, and Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, are among the factions closely linked to Iran, and they prevent the return of the displaced to this city. victims of sexual and political exploitation

Corona and the Increase in Women’s Fears

With the outbreak of the new Corona virus pandemic, what worries women in displacement camps the most is the anxiety of not being able to access medical support for themselves and their children, see a psychiatrist, or move around as they used to in order to access necessities, such as food and water. victims of sexual and political exploitation

Ban Khalil, feminist activist and social researcher in child protection programs from Baghdad, says, ” Iraqi law did not do justice to women in the most difficult circumstances, in addition to containing loopholes that would allow the criminal or blackmailer to escape from his crime. I do not rely on it, and it is common in our Iraqi society that the culture of complaints against the harasser is non-existent, due to prevailing social stigma, etc.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

Ban believes that helping this group is to form circles and gatherings whose mission is to educate women in displacement camps by submitting complaints to those responsible for supporting the camp from international bodies, not local employees. This is against anyone who tries to blackmail them or defend themselves in the most complicated circumstances while continuing to put pressure on political parties to ensure their safe return to their areas. victims of sexual and political exploitation

“In Al-Jadaa camp in the Qayyarah district of Mosul Governorate, I met with Suha Mahmoud, 27 years old (pseudonym), who was displaced with her mother from the city of Mosul in 2016 after her house was demolished and five members of her family were killed as a result of the battles against ISIS.”

The individuals responsible for guarding the camps took advantage of the financial needs of several women, as well as their need to obtain food and other health supplies. They persuaded these women to engage in prostitution for individuals from outside the camp. In exchange for exposing the women to a number of men, they received a financial sum, of which only a small amount was given to the women. The percentage obtained by the perpetrators was significantly higher.

When one of them refuses to join this network, they threaten her—either by informing her family about what she was doing or by harassing her and her family in the camp, depriving her of obtaining salary services. It is common knowledge that those who engage in these suspicious sexual acts cannot easily escape from them. This includes either enticement with money or threats. victims of sexual and political exploitation

suha continued, “After about a year and a half of these practices, I could no longer bear the physical and psychological harm. Every time I had to leave the camp and give my body to a man just to stay safe or to get money, it was horrific. I repeatedly thought about going to complain, but I backed down for fear that they would be complicit with him. So, I was finally able to get the emergency number for one of the humanitarian organizations that made frequent visits to the camp, and I reported this person. After the investigation, he was expelled from the camp, and all of us who were there were transferred to different camps.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

Physical and Psychological Violations

The outbreak of the Corona pandemic since 2020 led to the suspension of relief agencies and the reduction of services to residents of all camps, especially since most families have not been able to find work since moving to the camp for displaced people. victims of sexual and political exploitation

It seems that the last thing these women care about is the political and sectarian conflict that prevents their return, as these women were subjected to rape and various forms of blackmail in the camps. They are victims of the failure of the government and military authorities whose interest is limited to preserving their agendas and personal interests.

“Rape and Sex Trafficking Have Economic Roots.”

Sarah Moayed, 25 years old, a psychological support worker for an organization, says, “Most rape and sexual trafficking operations have economic roots. They began from the first days of displacement and spread rapidly in the camps as a result of financial need.” Human trafficking networks were formed to the point that some tents were turned into prostitution areas under the protection of those responsible for their protection, in exchange for financial promises or promises of immigration for women. The sheikhs and elders of some clans in the camp areas, who controlled them, and the various types of security forces, played a fundamental role in these practices.” victims of sexual and political exploitation

Sarah confirmed that she, along with a number of relief workers and a section of members of the security forces, were exposed to threats when they attempted to prevent or limit these violations. Some were threatened by forces that have greater control over the camps, namely the militias that impose their control over the liberated areas. Some influential figures of the clans who have influence and money in these areas were involved in these threats. victims of sexual and political exploitation

She continues her talk about the spread of cases of underage marriage in some camps. The usual official marriage is called “temporary marriage,” which is a type of covered prostitution. The underage girl is transferred from one man to another for a short period in exchange for a financial sum to the girl’s family or by subjugating her with threats.  victims of sexual and political exploitation

victims of sexual and political exploitation

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