Environmental human rights defender Jassim Al-Asadi released by his kidnappers after 2 weeks
On 15 February 2023, after more than two weeks, Iraqi environmentalist Jassim Al-Asadi was released after being kidnapped by an unknown armed group. The human rights defender reported being subjected to physical and psychological abuse while in captivity. He described being subjected to the “most severe forms of torture” using “electricity and sticks”. He was moved between multiple places during his 15 days of captivity since 1 February 2023.
On 1 February 2023, an unknown armed group kidnapped environmentalist and human rights defender Jassim Al-Asadi near Baghdad, Iraq. Armed men in plain clothes handcuffed and forced the human rights defender into one of their vehicles before he was taken to an unknown location.
Jassim Al-Asadi is a human rights defender, prominent environmentalist and academic. He is an expert on environmental issues, including water, and the protection of the marshes in Southern Iraq. Jassim Al-Asadi is a co-founder and the head of Nature Iraq, an Iraqi NGO which works on protecting, restoring, and preserving Iraq’s natural environment and which has been outspoken on the condition of the country's marshlands. Jassim Al-Asadi is one of the few specialists and trusted sources in the field in Iraq.
On 15 February 2023, after more than two weeks, Iraqi environmentalist Jassim Al-Asadi was released after being kidnapped by an unknown armed group. The human rights defender reported being subjected to physical and psychological abuse while in captivity. He described being subjected to the “most severe forms of torture” using “electricity and sticks”. He was moved between multiple places during his 15 days of captivity since 1 February 2023.
The Iraqi authorities allegedly intervened to release the human rights defender. However, the identity of the kidnappers is still unknown and there are no reports of accountability efforts by the Iraqi authorities to bring those responsible to justice. Jassim Al-Asadi reported that the reason for his kidnapping was to intimidate him and halt his human rights work, especially his work on the protection of the marshes in Southern Iraq.
Retaliation against environmental human rights defenders in Iraq has been on the rise. State-backed armed groups and state security officials have been reportedly involved in acts of extrajudicial punishment against human rights defenders. Meanwhile, the Iraqi authorities have failed to ensure any accountability for perpetrators. Additionally, the Iraqi authorities have been involved in the harassment, including judicial harassment, of environmental human rights defenders with many ongoing court cases which aim at deterring and silencing their peaceful work.
Front Line Defenders urges the Iraqi authorities to immediately hold those responsible for the kidnapping of human rights defender Jassim Al-Asadi accountable. It urges the authorities to carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into his kidnapping with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards. Additionally, it urges the authorities to cease targeting all Iraqi human rights defenders and guarantee in all circumstances that they are able to carry out their legitimate human rights work without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment.
On 1 February 2023, an unknown armed group kidnapped environmentalist and human rights defender Jassim Al-Asadi near Baghdad, Iraq. Armed men in plain clothes handcuffed and forced the human rights defender into one of their vehicles before he was taken to an unknown location.
Jassim Al-Asadi is a human rights defender, prominent environmentalist and academic. He is an expert on environmental issues, including water, and the protection of the marshes in Southern Iraq. Jassim Al-Asadi is a co-founder and the head of Nature Iraq, an Iraqi NGO which works on protecting, restoring, and preserving Iraq’s natural environment and which has been outspoken on the condition of the country's marshlands. Jassim Al-Asadi is one of the few specialists and trusted sources in the field in Iraq.
On the morning of 1 February 2023, human rights defender Jassim Al-Asadi was kidnapped by an unknown armed group near Baghdad, Iraq. The human rights defender was travelling on the highway from Hillah to Baghdad when he was stopped by two vehicles. He was handcuffed and forced into one of the vehicles by armed men in plain clothes. Jassim Al-Asadi was driving with his cousin when the kidnapping happened. His cousin was left on the road around five kilometres away from the capital Baghdad.
The family of the human rights defender reported the incident to the Iraqi security forces, noting that they believe the reason behind the kidnapping is his human rights work. They also mentioned that they have not been contacted by the kidnappers. The Iraqi security forces announced that the police will continue to search for the human rights defender.
Jassim Al-Asadi was travelling to Baghdad to meet Iraqi officials on 1 February 2023, and was supposed to meet the Minister of Water Resources on 2 February 2023. Jassim Al-Asadi has been working on a major campaign to protect the marshlands of Southern Iraq, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recently, he has been assisting the new Minister of Water Resources with a plan to irrigate agricultural lands for the coming period. Jassim Al-Asadi has also contributed to the work against the construction of the Makhoul Dam, which could affect over 183 archaeological sites and displace thousands of families.
Harassment of human rights defenders and their families in Iraq has been intensifying in recent years, including killings, kidnappings, judicial harassment, threats and intimidation for carrying out their peaceful and legitimate human rights activities. Environmental human rights defenders have reportedly been facing threats and intimidation from armed groups, especially when working on topics in relation to the role of armed groups in environmental abuses and the oil sector.
Front Line Defenders expresses its grave concern regarding the kidnapping of Jassim Al-Asadi, as it is presumed to be linked to his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights and the environment. Front Line Defenders reiterates its concern regarding the climate of impunity for perpetrators and the lack of protection of human rights defenders in Iraq.
