IRAQ: DNA-testing campaign to try to identify remains of Iraqis who died in acts of violence over the past decades begins in Iraq

Record ID: 346507

  • Title: IRAQ: DNA-testing campaign to try to identify remains of Iraqis who died in acts of violence over the past decades begins in Iraq
  • Date: 29th February 2012
  • Summary: FILE , RAMADI , IRAQ (FILE - JULY 2011) ( REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BODIES OF UNIDENTIFIED VICTIMS THAT WERE FOUND IN MASS GRAVE IN WESTERN IRAQ BEING WRAPPED UP IN PLASTIC BAGS AND PUT ON GROUND OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MORGUE
  • Embargoed: 15th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq, Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Conflict,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9C3JM8JYP21XJ2GE5EKXALAFD
  • Story Text: Decades of armed conflict and sectarian violence have left Iraq with a legacy of hundreds of thousands of missing people and the unidentified remains of victims of the country's brutal past.
    Now Iraq has launched a DNA-testing campaign in an effort to help families identify relatives who went missing during the rule of Saddam Hussein and since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003.
    The project, run by the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry, and based in the provinces of Basra, Ramadi and Diyala, has already seen a steady flow of relatives eager to find out the fate of their loved-ones.
    Mehdi al-Tamimi, head of the Basra office of the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry, said around 50 people have approached the Basra branch everyday since the scheme was launched on Saturday (February 25).
    "Currently the numbers have reached over; I mean the numbers are over 110 people who we have completed the forms for. And we have made appointments for over 100 people for the next couple of days. So the number of people, approximately - on a daily bases - is over 50 people," al-Tamimi said.
    The remains are from mass graves excavated after the 2003 U.S.- led invasion, containing the remains of those killed during Saddam's rule, as well as mass graves currently being excavated containing remains of Iraqis killed during the past decade's sectarian violence.
    Mass graves have been found regularly in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein. Victims are believed to be Kurds, against whom Saddam Hussein waged military campaigns in the 1980s and '90s, and Shi'ites who staged an uprising in 1991.
    Iraqi and U.S. human rights investigators said in 2003 they suspected Iraq had hundreds of mass graves containing the bodies of up to 300,000 people killed during Saddam's rule.
    And after Saddam was toppled in 2003, tens of thousands of Iraqis were killed or went missing in the sectarian conflict in 2006-2007 unleashed by the U.S.-led invasion.
    Many of the missing were never found, and the excavation of mass graves that may provide answers for the relatives of the dead is considered a critical step in healing after years of war.
    "In terms of the number of mass graves in Iraq, there are more than 300 mass graves - approximately in the range of 300 mass graves - they may reach 305 mass graves. On the borders of Basra, I would say that there are 19 locations which are not open. The number of mass graves that have officially been opened in Basra are three in the years 2010 and 2011," said al-Tamimi.
    The Human Rights chief said Iraq was receiving help from other countries that have uncovered mass graves.
    "The Ministry of Human Rights is doing its utmost with the co-operation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa and other countries, however the process needs much time. I hope that we have taken the correct starting steps. Currently, there has been great progress made, especially seeing as the prime ministers' office has supported us in getting five DNA laboratories and this number, excluding Kurdistan, is a a large one which we can benefit from greatly," said al-Tamimi.
    For relatives of the missing, the DNA testing offers the chance to finally bring closure. One man told Reuters Television that he hoped to identify the body of his father so that his remains could be laid to rest.
    "I am here for the DNA tests. I hope that we can find him, I hope that my DNA will match his; at least we can build him a tomb. This is a good initiative by the Ministry of Human Rights," said Ra'ad Dhaher.
    Some of those who went missing after the 2003 invasion simply disappeared but thousands of others ended up in numbered mass graves for "unknowns," their identities reduced to a file at the morgue.
    The campaign, which will run until November, has not been without technical glitches.
    "There is a technical factor that is lacking in the process and that is the DNA card which is used for keeping the samples - this card is not available. It seems that the cards of the Health Ministry are contaminated and the Health Ministry is planning to import new cards because this issue is very important. We will call on the relatives of victims as soon as the ministry imports the cards."
    In addition to the provinces of Basra, Ramadi and Diyala, the areas of Latifiya and Iskandariya south of the capital are also likely sites for mass graves.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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