Iraqi Women Paying the Price
by Dahr Jamail, Electronic Iraq

As horrific as the regime of former dictator Saddam Hussein was, Iraqis now long for the security it provided. Rape was uncommon then; now, kidnapping and rape are everyday occurrences.

Just three weeks ago the Al-Zaman newspaper reported that 11 children had been abducted in Baghdad in a single day.

These stories are commonplace, and they have caused widespread fear in Baghdad and other cities, scaring many women and girls off the streets. Women now go out only when necessary, and are generally accompanied by male relatives.
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Who bears the responsibility for this state of affairs? Aside from those directly committing these crimes, the responsibility lies with the occupation. According to international humanitarian law, the occupying power has the duty to restore and maintain public order and safety, and to respect the fundamental rights of the occupied territory's inhabitants.

Full story here.