A Review of the Situation of Iranian Prisoners of War in Iraqi Camps

On September 22, 1980, the Iraqi army launched a surprise attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, occupying more than 10 cities and over 1000 villages, totaling 15,000 square kilometers in Iranian territory.  This included approximately 10,000 square kilometers in Khuzestan province, 3,000 square kilometers on the western front, and over 100 square kilometers in the northwest. 

Major occupied cities included Qasr-e Shirin, Naft Shahr, Mehran, Dehloran, Musiyan, Bostan, Hoveyzeh, Susangerd, Shalamcheh, and Khorramshahr.  This marked the beginning of an eight-year war imposed by the Ba'athist regime of Iraq on the Iranian people, resulting in numerous martyrs, casualties, wounded, and those affected.  Among the victims of this unequal war were prisoners of war (POWs) who, in declared and clandestine camps and horrific Iraqi prisons, were subjected to inhumane treatment and revenge by the Iraqi regime.

Throughout the eight years of war, despite Iraq being a party to the Third Geneva Convention of 1949, even the most basic rights of prisoners of war were not respected.  The Iraqi government's actions constituted a collection of major violations of the Third Geneva Convention.  According to international humanitarian law, upon identification, POWs' details, including identity and rank, must be registered. After registration, they must be promptly transferred to non-combat zones, kept in facilities with adequate sanitary conditions, and treated humanely without discrimination. Prioritization based on rank, gender, physical condition, and age is permissible, provided it is legitimate and not discriminatory.  Humane treatment prohibits acts of revenge, violence, torture, mutilation, intimidation, medical experimentation, and insult or humiliation.

Following this, we will first examine the situation of Iranian prisoners of war in Iraqi captivity centers, and then address violations of international law concerning Iranian prisoners.  The names of the Iranian POW camps in Iraq are based on the International Red Cross's designations.