Iraqi women subject to repeated violence

BAGHDAD, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Iraqi women are subject to repeated human-rights violations, honor killings and other abuses by coalition and national forces, U.N. officials said.

U.N. Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women Yakin Erturk said the economic, political and security situation in Iraq exposes women to heightened levels of violence, the U.N. Human Rights Council said.

"Iraqi women have seen their rights eroded in all areas of life, while the world observes from afar," she said.

She warned the rights of Iraqi women are being degraded in an environment in which insurgents, Islamic extremists and even members of the Multi-National Forces-Iraq are increasingly belligerent in their use of force.

Iraqi legal codes offer some protection to women, but societal pressures prevent many women from coming forward with allegations of abuse for fear of retribution.

"I urge the Iraqi government and the international community to prevent women and girls from being the 'soft targets' of violence and the invisible victims of the conflict in Iraq," said Erturk.