Prisons in Iraq are overcrowded, while detainees face forced confessions and poor conditions [Getty]
The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR) warned there was a “dangerous escalation” in human rights violations in the country and that there was a dramatic increase in deaths of prisoners.
The observatory noted there were at least 400 deaths recorded in various prisons and detention centres across the country in 2025.
This comes after a detainee was announced dead last week in the Dhi Qar province in southern Iraq, just days after another died in a detention centre in Fallujah, with authorities stating it was due to unknown circumstances.
The group says the staggering figure is due to severe overcrowding and medical neglect, as well as reports of torture.
A statement from the organisation said the toll reflects a “silent humanitarian catastrophe” taking place in the country, while noting there was limited transparency on conditions inside jails.
“Information obtained by our field team and monitoring networks confirms that the cases of 140 people who died were closed without any details disclosed regarding the cause of death or the circumstances prior to their deaths. Families also had no access to information or medical reports,” the observatory added in its statement.
It said that the lack of information surrounding the deaths “perpetuates a policy of impunity” and also raises concerns about “systematic violations occurring far from any independent oversight or genuine accountability.”
Research carried out by the observatory indicates that most prisons in Iraq are severely overcrowded, with some exceeding capacity by 300%, while authorities continue to carry out arrests at a high rate.
Despite this, very limited improvements and expansions have been made to prisons in an effort to improve conditions for inmates.
‘Not isolated incidents’
Ali al-Abadi, head of the Iraq Centre for Human Rights, told The New Arab that deaths in prisons were no longer isolated incidents.
“They have become a serious indicator of a structural flaw in the prison system…many of the deaths could have been avoided if genuine medical care and a rapid response to critical cases had been available, in addition to a humane detention environment that respects the minimum rights of prisoners,” he said.
Currently, official reports state that the number of detainees in Iraq’s prisons stands at around 67,000, while the actual capacity stands at approximately 25,000.
In some cases, overcrowding has caused the spread of skin infections and respiratory issues, while malnutrition is also on the rise.
IOHR says their records show that the Nasiriyah Central Prison, also known as al-Hout, the Tal Afar Prison located in Nineveh, al-Karkh Central Prison and the al-Taji Prison all failed to meet the minimum humanitarian standards.
Several detention centres, which fall under the country’s security services, also failed to meet adequate conditions, with some testimonies from former detainees revealing they experienced physical and psychological torture, the refusal of treatment and communication with their lawyers and families.
They also noted they were kept in cramped conditions, with limited ventilation and basic medicine.
Forced confessions
Data from the IOHR further specified that torture and degrading treatment have become common during interrogations to prompt forced confessions.
Based on conversations with its sources, the rights group found that electric shocks, prolonged suspension, the denial of medical treatment and sleep deprivation were some of the causes behind deaths and permanent disabilities in inmates.
The findings come as rights groups have long warned about shrinking freedom of expression in Iraq, with authorities particularly targeting journalists and human rights activists.
IOHR called on the government in Iraq to take urgent measures to ensure it is following guidelines outlined in international conventions, and to address the humanitarian crisis in prisons, starting with reducing overcrowding.
“The absence of a Board of Commissioners for the High Commission for Human Rights weakens oversight of prisons, increases violations and contributes to impunity,” the observatory said, calling for increased monitoring of prisons.
