CCR Calls for Iraq Reparations on 15th Anniversary of U.S. Invasion

Today is the 15^th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) has challenged U.S. militarism abroad, including in Iraq, for decades, and has litigated cases challenging torture and extrajudicial killing by private military contractors during the Iraq war since 2004. CCR has also sought accountability for U.S. torture in Iraq by filing cases in foreign courts under universal jurisdiction laws. In 2013, CCR partnered with Iraqi organizers and U.S. service members and veterans to launch a campaign calling for reparations and accountability for the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

CCR released the following statement today to the media:

In March 2003, just before the U.S. invasion of Iraq, CCR already knew what would come to fruition. We predicted a flatly illegal war would result in major casualties on both sides – in the U.S., disproportionately borne by communities of color – and a downward spiral towards increased violence and war.

Indeed, the illegal war that was launched soon after provided the platform for mass civilian casualties, war crimes, and a vast boon to corporations seeking to profit from war-making – with almost complete impunity to this day. Groups like ISIS emerged from U.S.-fomented sectarianism and came together in U.S.-run prisons in Iraq. Less visible but no less damaging are the ongoing trauma and health issues experienced by those exposed to the fighting, as well as a growing refugee crisis, even as the Muslim Ban impedes many U.S.-created refugees from seeking asylum in the U.S.

The harms continue today in the U.S.-led coalition campaign of airstrikes against ISIS. The strikes have resulted in far greater civilian casualties than even reported, for which activists have long called for and continue to demand reparations.

The hardships have not stopped activists in Iraq from fighting for justice and for progressive issues, even in the face of overwhelming circumstances. As they carry on in calling for change, we join them, and demand reparations and accountability for the U.S.'s actions in Iraq. A new, global anti-war movement is needed more than ever, and central in it must be the leadership of Iraqis in devising a reparations process.

Fighting against a double standard for prison abuse

Center for Constitutional Rights was in court Thursday for our case Turkmen v. Ashcroft, which went to the U.S. Supreme Court last term. Regular Frontlines of Justice readers will remember that we have been working to hold high-level Bush administration officials accountable for their roles in the profiling, detention, and abuse of hundreds of Muslim, South Asian, and Arab men who were swept up following the 9/11 attacks. In June, the Supreme Court held that the officials could not be sued for the constitutional violations—in effect, they are above the law. At the same time, the Court sent back to the lower court claims seeking damages from prison officials who allowed guards to physically and psychologically abuse the men at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City.

The district court is now considering whether people in immigration detention have the same right to sue for abuse as prisoners who have been convicted of a crime. Detainees usually have more rights than people who are already convicted, and there is no question that a prisoner in the next cell from one of our clients, beaten by the same guards, could sue the warden who allowed it to happen. We are hopeful that the Court will ensure immigration detainees everywhere the same protections. Watch CCR Legal Director Baher Azmy’s Facebook live update.

CCR staffers' speaking opportunities

This week, there are opportunities to hear Vince Warren and Aliya Hussain.

• Iraq War Anniversary Film Screening & Activist Roundtable: Amir Amirani's "We Are Many", which documents the "new people power" movement. Following the screening, a panel of speakers will discuss the illegal and illegitimate invasion of Iraq that sparked a large worldwide protest movement. The panel features CCR's advocacy program manager, Aliya Hussain; Kate Alexander of Peace Action New York State and Matt Howard of About Face: Iraq Veterans Against the War. The event is hosted by Macaulay Peace Action and Peace Action New York State. Get more information and RVSP.
• CCR's Executive Director Vincent Warren will speak at "Derailing the Trump Agenda: Protecting our Rights, Health, Environment and Democracy,"  an interactive, thought-provoking discussion with civil rights leaders, advocates, and experts with tips and tools on how to proactively defend our rights and our democracy, hosted by the New York City Chapter of the National Organization for Women. This event is the first of the Rise Up Act NOW series and promises to be an empowering conversation about the state of women and civil rights in our nation today. Get more information and RSVP.