On June 26, Faleh al-Fayyad, chairman of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), announced the establishment of a new “Department of Human Rights” within the organization. This move is particularly noteworthy given that Fayyad has been designated a human rights abuser by Washington due to his involvement in the violent crackdown on protesters during the 2019 Tishreen demonstrations, which resulted in over 500 deaths. As Iraq approaches the September 30 disarmament deadline, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is pushing to consolidate weapons within state control, but some militias, like Kataib Hezbollah, have dismissed these efforts. Analysts argue that full disarmament is unlikely due to the entrenched nature of militia power within Iraq’s security and economic systems. Behind the scenes, militia leaders are reportedly seeking legal immunity from past human rights violations and financial accountability before agreeing to disarm, raising concerns about a lack of real reform in Iraq.
Why It Matters
Iraq’s human rights landscape has been marred by persistent violations, with Amnesty International noting a pattern of impunity for security forces and militias. Investigations into targeted killings of activists since 2020 have yielded no prosecutions, underscoring systemic issues within the judicial system. The PMF’s involvement in the violent suppression of protests and ongoing human rights abuses complicates the disarmament process, as many militia leaders are implicated in these crimes. Without addressing accountability for past actions, any disarmament effort risks merely shifting the dynamics of power rather than achieving genuine reform.
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