Iraqi human rights set back by repression

LONDON, July 21 (UPI) -- Iraqi security forces are plagued by abuse and repression, and women continue to face violent discrimination, a British foreign affairs report says.

In its ninth report before the House of Commons, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office states that although "the foundations are being laid" for a strong civil society in Iraq, the "culture of abuse and repression within the Iraqi security services remains."

The committee report supported the decision by British military officials to hand over security responsibility to Iraqi forces in Basra, calling the situation "largely stable." But it cautions against further escalations in the region in the wake of clashes between Iraqi military forces and Shiite militias earlier this year.

The 2008 World Report issued by Human Rights Watch says Iraqi forces in the southern Basra province "have been infiltrated by militias and other armed elements which are themselves reported to have committed abuses."

"Women face particular risks from militias," the committee report says, adding reports of honor killings and other gender-based abuses are on the rise, notably in northern Iraq.

George Malloch-Brown, a state minister in the FCO, warned of a "terrible consequence" if there were a reversal in gains for women in the post-Saddam era.

"We conclude that despite improvements in security, the human rights situation in Iraq remains very difficult," he said, adding, "We believe that the deteriorating human rights situation faced by women in many parts of Iraq is unacceptable."