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Secret Pen 1949 Ministry of Interior of Iraq 420 File Number 54/61 Title | Foreign Policy Subject | The complaint submitted to the United Nations regarding the Iraqi government's treatment of communist elements
IJA 3249
Correspondence between United Nations and Iraqi Government
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These are letters and correspondence from the Iraqi government concerning a United Nations inquiry about alleged human rights violations against suspected Communists.
AI English Translation, Pages 1-25
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⟦illegible⟧ Iraq Ministry of Interior Secret Intelligence Division Baghdad Number: Q. S: 2486 Date: 20 / 12 / 956 Secret Ministry of Foreign Affairs Subject: Complaint to the United Nations Your letter numbered M / 4829 / 11 dated 22 / 11 / 956 We would like to clarify that there is no truth to what was stated in the complaint under discussion The Directorate of General Police has informed us that the sender must be a communist who deliberately fabricated the accusation against the Iraqi government to tarnish its reputation among international circles. Minister of Interior S ⟦illegible⟧ 12 A copy to - Directorate of General Police - Reference to your letter numbered S / 3324 dated 16 / 12 / 956 (Political). 15
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22 United Nations in New York No. - SO 2/317 . The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his compliments to the Acting Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations and, pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution No. 75 (5) as amended by resolution 275 B (10), has the honor to transmit a copy of the communication dated 9/1/1956 regarding human rights which refers to Iraq. The list of confidential communications to be submitted to the Commission on Human Rights at its thirteenth session will include a brief summary of the communication. The attention of the Acting Permanent Representative is invited to Economic and Social Council resolution No. 192 E (8). In the event that His Excellency's Government decides to reply to the attached communication, the Secretary-General requests the Acting Permanent Representative to indicate whether he wishes the reply to be presented to the Commission on Human Rights in summary or detailed form. 10/18/1956
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Iraqi Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs 43753 Number M/4829/46/1010 Baghdad on 12/27/1956 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secret Intelligence Division Number 7568 Date 12/27/1956 Secret Department: Political United Nations and Conferences Division Permanent Iraqi Mission to the United Nations Subject / Complaint to the United Nations With reference to your letter numbered 20/2/229 dated 10/19/1956 We had requested the Ministry of Interior in our letter numbered M/4829/46/11 dated 11/22/1956 attached herewith to provide us with the information they have regarding the subject and they replied in their letter numbered QS/3486 and dated 12/22/1956 attached herewith. ⟦signature⟧ Minister of Foreign Affairs Amin al-Mumayiz Copy to: - Ministry of Interior - with reference to its letter mentioned above. Hazem / M 24 1002 Sayyid Taha ⟦...⟧ ⟦signature⟧ 12/27 ⟦illegible stamp⟧ 12/27
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2 Translation of the letter dated September 1st sent by a person in Iraq ⟦line⟧ Human Rights Commission United Nations Organization New York The Iraqi government, in its treatment of us, does not adhere to any humanitarian laws or constitutions. We would not be wrong if we claimed that the government of Iraq, since its signing of the so-called "Baghdad Pact," has been conspiring to slaughter us. Especially when a criminal act was committed in 1953 against political prisoners in Nuqrat al-Salman prison, where (20) prisoners were killed and 65 others were seriously injured. We appeal to you to intervene and save our lives, which are now threatened with death, and we also ask your committee to send a representative to witness our bitter life. Signed
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29 (( Copy of the letter from the Permanent Representative of Iraq in New York No. 229 / 2 / 20 dated )) 10 / 19 / 1956 addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs We enclose herewith a copy of the memorandum from the Secretary-General of the United Nations dated 10 / 18 / 1956 with a copy of its attachment regarding the complaint sent by an Iraqi citizen for your kind review and to inform us of your instructions in this regard. Signed / ⟦illegible⟧ Permanent Representative
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21/52 Ministry of the Interior Directorate of General Police Number 4725 Date 8 / 10 / 1949 Directorate of General Police Baghdad Number 4121 Date 1 / 10 / 1949 Operations Division Secret Ministry of the Interior L Subject - The complaint at the United Nations against Iraq. With reference to your letter No. Q/S/2050 dated 18/9/1949. Your Excellency notes from the content of the attachments of your letter answered above that the telegrams and letters are issued by individuals and institutions outside Iraq, and they clearly show that their senders are followers of communist principles or their supporters, and these and their likes are those who persist in raising complaints against governments that combat destructive principles. It is not excluded that such complaints may be from persons who were in Iraq or have a connection to it, such as Yusuf Ismail residing in France and others who plot against Iraq and promote propaganda and slanders against it abroad. D. H 1/2 ⟦illegible⟧ 8/10 Director General of Police ⟦illegible⟧ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed this Ministry of a copy of the letter from the General Secretariat of the United Nations regarding the complaint submitted by some persons and institutions regarding the Iraqi government's treatment of detained and imprisoned communist elements. The Secretariat requested an answer to the points in detail and in brief if the Iraqi government wished to respond to them. Foreign Affairs inquired about the opinion of this Ministry on the subject. So we wrote to the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers to state what His Excellency the Prime Minister deems appropriate. However, the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers wrote to each of the Ministries of Defense, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Justice regarding whether these ministries should give an answer or not. The Ministry of Justice preferred not to answer these points. The Ministry of Defense left the matter of giving an answer or not to the opinion of His Excellency the Prime Minister. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sees giving an answer even in a brief form, provided that the answer is completed by the competent authorities accurately, because we see that silence in such a case is not consistent with the public interest and may be exploited as evidence of the validity of the allegations and malicious claims. What this ministry has done is to look into the studies of the General Police, and in its letter above it finds an answer that did not give a clear idea of its opinion on responding to these false claims and allegations. However, I see that we should write to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers that what the Iraqi government did in pursuing and treating communist elements is nothing but the application of the provisions of prevailing local laws, and there is no conflict in its action with the public liberties stipulated in the Constitution, given that the actions of these elements are considered a direct threat to the entity and safety of the Kingdom. Thus, responding to these allegations or not remains up to what is deemed by His Excellency the Prime Minister. And I agree - ⟦illegible⟧ 8/10 For notice ⟦illegible⟧ 11/10
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Iraqi Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department: Political United Nations and Conferences Division Number: AMN/48029/460/010 Baghdad on 5/11/1956 Secret / Ministry of Interior: Secret Intelligence Division Number: 6272 Date: 24 / 11 / 1956 Ministry of Interior We are sending you herewith a copy of the letter from Iraq's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, No. 329 / 2 / 20, dated 19 / 10 / 1956, with a copy of its two attachments regarding the complaint sent by an Iraqi citizen to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to provide your opinion on this matter so that we may prepare the appropriate response to be presented to the Human Rights Commission. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Mukhtar A copy of it with the two copies of the attachments. - Directorate of General Police - for the same purpose. 102 1- Please review and initiate communication regarding the contents of the request to the General Police to provide observations regarding it and then we will prepare a suitable response for the Ministry to the destination Hazim / M 20 Urgent 29 / 11 Approved ⟦signature⟧ 29 / 11 ⟦signature⟧ 24 / 11
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Copy of a letter dated 1 September from an individual in Iraq Committee of Human Rights UNITED NATION ORGANISATION NEW YORK. United States of America The Government of Iraq in its treatment towards us, does not adhere to any human laws or constitutions. We will not be <del>mistaken</del> in assuming that the Government of Iraq, since signing the so called " Baghdad Pact" is plotting a massacre for us, especially as such criminal act was committed in 1953 against the Political Prisoners of Baghdad and Nuqrat al-Salman Prisons, where 20 prisoners were killed and 65 other badly injured. We are appealing to you so that you may interfere and save our lives now threatened by death, and also ask your committee to send a delegation to witness our deadly lives. ( signed)
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42 Ministry of the Interior General Police Directorate Political Branch To " - Ministry of the Interior Secret Secret Intelligence Branch No. 7195 Date 17 / 12 / 56 Baghdad on 16 / 12 / 1956 No. - 2429 Ministry of the Interior Subject / Complaint to the United Nations Reference to your letter No. Q. S. / 3236 dated 2 / 12 / 1956 There is no doubt that the complainant is a communist prisoner or was previously among the prisoners, and your honor is fully aware that what he alleged in his complaint is not based on reality and is nothing more than hypocrisy and fabrication intentionally formulated by the complainant ⟦in this way⟧ to tarnish the reputation of the Iraqi government, as is the case with communists in all their destructive actions and activities. Approved ⟦Signature⟧ ⟦10 / 12 / 56⟧ ⟦Signature⟧ Bahjat al-Atiyyah For the Director General of Police 17 / 12 1 - It has been reviewed with the desire to prepare an appropriate response to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based on what was stated in the letter of the Director General of Police. Delivered 101 17 / 12
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⟦20⟧ C O P Y UNITED NATIONS NEW YORK SOA 317/02 The Secretary - General of the United Nations presents his compliments to the Acting Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations and has the honour to transmit, in accord- ance with Economic and Social Council resolution 75 ( V ) , as amended by resolution 275 B ( X ) , a copy of a communication dated 1 September 1956 concerning human rights which refers to Iraq. A brief indication of the substance of the communication <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> will be included in a confidential list of communications which will be submitted to the Commission on Human Rights at its thirteenth session. The attention of the Acting Permanent Representative <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> is drawn to resolution 192 A ( VIII) of the Economic and Social Council. In the event that His Excellency's Government decides to reply to the attached communication, the Secretary - General requests the Acting Permanent Representative to indicate whether he wishes reply to be presented to the Commission on Human Rights in summary form or in full. 18 October 1956.
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Iraq Ministry of Interior Baghdad Secret Intelligence Division Number S.S: 284 Date: 17 / 1 / 1955 Secret Ministry of Foreign Affairs ⟦illegible handwriting in red ink⟧ Subject / Complaint from Iraqi lawyers against the Iraqi government Further to our letter No. S.S / 4392 dated 26 / 12 / 1954 We enclose herewith a copy of the Ministry of Justice letter No. S.S / 961 dated 27 / 12 / 1954 for your kind information. On behalf of the Minister of Interior Mumtaz Al-Omari A copy of it with a copy of the Ministry of Justice letter to :- Presidency of the Council of Ministers Diwan A copy of it to :- Ministry of Justice . Abd
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Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Secret Correspondence Division Ministry of Interior Secret Intelligence Division Number 7932 Date 28 / 12 / 1954 No. Q. S /: ⟦10000⟧ Date: 27 / 12 / 1954 Secret 202 A copy is sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information Ministry of Interior Subject - Complaint from Iraqi lawyers against the Iraqi government Reference to your letter No. Q. S / 4392 dated 26 / 12 / 1954. Upon reviewing the complaint filed with the United Nations, it appeared that the intent was to defame the measures taken by the Iraqi government by issuing the decrees mentioned in the body of the complaint. We find in this complaint a challenge to the government's powers and constitutional rights and at the same time it contains what constitutes some of the crimes provided for in Chapter Twelve of the Baghdad Penal Code, but we do not find what justifies taking legal measures against the complainants and authorizing their prosecution because they will use the subject of this complaint as arguments to attack the government's general policy and make the courts platforms from which to broadcast their harmful propaganda in the name of human rights, the sanctity of the constitution, the right of citizenship, etc. Perhaps they wanted that so they could spread their propaganda by publishing trials and judgments. This does not prevent some of them from not having ill intentions and being sound Muhammad Ali Mahmoud Minister of Justice 202 A - Information has been noted and the order regarding it is to reply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Minister's letter in which it requested this Ministry to express its opinion regarding this complaint ⟦illegible signature⟧ 28 / 12 The Ministry of Justice should have sent a copy of this letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the other parties to whom we sent a copy of our letter to which they replied; subsequently we were asked to express our opinion on the matter In view of this answer, nothing remains in the matter except dealing with the postal case ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible signature⟧ 28 / 12 The complaint from our file which Foreign Affairs requested the answer while the Ministry of Justice answers Ministry of Interior
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Iraq Ministry of Interior Baghdad Secret Intelligence Division Number Q 50 S 4292 Date 26 / 12 / 1954 Secret For Intelligence Ministry of Justice Subject - Complaint from Iraqi lawyers against the Iraqi government. We refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter number AM / 4126 / 2 / 11 dated 18 / 11 / 1954 addressed to us and to you, and we kindly ask you to inform us whether what these lawyers have done is punishable and under the jurisdiction of which law it falls. Minister of Interior S M M D 25 / 12 / 54 ⟦illegible⟧ A copy to: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - for kind review referring to your aforementioned letter. Presidency of the Cabinet Office - for kind review - with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter mentioned above. Al-Qaisi 12/25
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Iraq Ministry of Interior Baghdad No. Q/S/⟦line⟧ Date ⟦22⟧/12/1954 ⟦Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Iraq⟧ Secret Intelligence Department Secret Ministry of Justice Subject - Complaint from Iraqi lawyers against the Iraqi government. We refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter No. AM / 4126 / 2 / 11 dated 18/11/1954 addressed to us and to you, and we kindly ask you to inform us whether what these lawyers have done is punishable and under the jurisdiction of which law this falls. Minister of Interior A copy to: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - for your kind information with reference to your aforementioned letter. Presidency of the Cabinet Office - for your kind information - with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter mentioned above. Al-Qaisi 12/25
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Iraq Ministry of Interior Baghdad ⟦Royal Crest Stamp⟧ Number: Date: ⟦line⟧ The attachments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter numbered the letter of the Permanent Iraqi Mission to the United Nations in New York and the United Nations memorandum regarding the complaint of (21) Iraqi lawyers against the Iraqi government for issuing decrees appended to the law appended to the Baghdad Penal Code and the Syndicates and the year ⟦illegible⟧ appended to the Iraqi Nationality Law, describing the government's measures as stifling freedoms. In view of the security importance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sees the necessity of obtaining the opinion of this Ministry regarding what was stated in this complaint so that the Iraqi mission can organize its response to it in light of the observations we will provide. The Directorate of General Police has previously, in its own accurate assessment, informed us of this matter; it indicated that the lawyer Dhiya al-Sheikh Taha collected signatures on this petition and his case was presented to the investigating judge, who decided to detain him. So I hope to inform you regarding the response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if you do not see a necessity to take the opinion of the Directorate of General Police first regarding the inclinations and activities of these lawyers. ⟦signature⟧ 12/21 It appears that the attached memorandum is the ministerial circle on it, as appears from the special report submitted by the Directorate of General Police. And given that what these lawyers mentioned has been refuted by officials when presenting some of these decrees in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and because the subject is of a political nature, it is appropriate that we request it be presented to the Council of Ministers so that what is received by the Permanent Representative at the United Nations is expressive of the official Iraqi government's point of view in international forums. In the Name of His Majesty 12/22
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Kingdom of Iraq Ministry of Foreign Affairs Number ⟦line⟧ AM/2/4126/11 Baghdad on 12/18/1954 Ministry of Interior: Secret Intelligence Department: Number: 7722 Date: 12/18/954 Department - Political United Nations Division and Conferences Secret and Urgent Ministry of Interior Ministry of Justice Subject - Complaint of a number of Iraqi lawyers against the Iraqi government We enclose herewith a copy of the letter from the Permanent Iraqi Mission to the United Nations numbered 8/6/290 and dated 11/27/1954 and a copy of each of its attachments regarding the subject. Given the importance of the matter, it appeared to this Ministry necessary to obtain your opinion regarding what was stated in the complaint under discussion, so that the Iraqi Mission can organize its response to it in light of the observations you will provide about it. f. Minister of Foreign Affairs ⟦signature⟧ Baha Awni Copy to :- Presidency of the Cabinet Office - with a copy of the letter from the Permanent Iraqi Mission to the United Nations mentioned above and a copy of each of its attachments for your kind perusal. Permanent Iraqi Mission to the United Nations - New York YS/15 ⟦signature⟧ 12 / 21
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27 21 / 541 Iraqi Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department: General Political Number: Kh / 770 / 770 / 11 / ⟦...⟧ Secret and Urgent: 24392 Baghdad on: 6 / 11 / 1949 Ministry of Interior Directorate of the Ministry's Office Number 5225 Date 6 / 11 / 949 General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers Subject / Complaint of Communist Elements With reference to the Ministry of Interior's letter numbered Q / 3 / 2314 And dated 5 / 11 / 1949 We send you herewith a copy of the draft response prepared by this Ministry and approved by the Ministry of Interior as per your request, requesting you to kindly provide us with your opinion on it urgently. ⟦signature⟧ For the Minister of Foreign Affairs Copy to:- Ministry of Interior 102 For kind information. By initiating the case in this Ministry Dh / Al-Qarahghuli 6 / 11
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Iraq Ministry of Interior Baghdad Secret Intelligence Division Number: Q S 2712 Date: 1 / 11 / 1949 Top Secret: To :- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Subject: Complaint of Communist Elements With reference to your letter numbered G/770/770/23224 dated October 27, 1949 . This Ministry considers that the proposed draft response prepared by your Ministry fulfills the intended purpose and that it is appropriate to direct it to the Secretariat of the United Nations . ⟦signature⟧ Acting Minister of Interior A copy to - General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers 4 Ministry of Defense 4 Reference to the letter of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers Ministry of Justice 4 Numbered 4708 and dated 10 / 30 / 949 . 26 ⟦signature⟧ 10 / 2
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Iraq Ministry of Interior Baghdad Secret Intelligence Division Number: S.S / 2214 Date: 5 / 11 / 1949 Top Secret ⟦line⟧ To :- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Subject: Complaint of Communist Elements ⟦line⟧ With reference to your letter numbered A / 770 / 770 / 11 / 23224 and dated October 27, 1949 . This Ministry has decided that the proposed draft response prepared by your Ministry fulfills the required purpose and it is appropriate to direct it to the Secretariat of the United Nations . ⟦illegible⟧ Acting Minister of Interior Copy to - General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers | In reference to the letter of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers Ministry of Defense | numbered 4708 and dated 10 / 30 / 949 . Ministry of Justice
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54/21 Diwan Council of Ministers Baghdad Ministry of ⟦illegible⟧ Number 5146 Date 20 / 10 / 1949 Number: 4708 Date: 5 / 10 / 1369 AH 29 / 10 / 1949 AD "Secret and Very Urgent" Ministry of Interior Subject - Complaint of Communist Elements We refer to the communication ending with your letter numbered Q.S / 2220 dated 22 / 10 / 1949 and we request you to prepare the draft of the reply in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as we indicated in our letter numbered 4596 and dated 20 / 10 / 1949. On behalf of the Secretary General Copy to ⟦line⟧ Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information, referring to Ministry of Defense the above letter. Ministry of Justice 29 / 10 / 49 ⟦illegible⟧ Sh / M 30 / 10 For kind review - after contact was made between your Excellency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the draft of the reply, and the draft prepared by the mentioned Ministry was received and translated yesterday by Sh. N. A. We present the preamble from 30 on it and it has been approved. ⟦signature⟧ 10 / 30
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S Director , I see that the description of comfortable air is appropriate. And I hope for your approval of it ⟦signature⟧ 20 / 1 Approved 21 / 1 ⟦signature⟧ Q . Q ⟦line⟧
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The Iraqi Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department: General Political Western Section No. Kh/770/770/11/.. 23224 27 Baghdad on .. October 1949 5096 27 / 10 / 949 Top Secret Ministry of Interior With reference to the letter of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers No. 4596 dated 20 / 10 / 1949 and the oral conversation that took place yesterday morning between <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> the Acting Director of the General Political Department at this Ministry and Mr. Mumtaz al-Omari regarding the complaint submitted to the United Nations concerning the sentences issued against communists in Iraq. We send you herewith a copy of the draft reply we have prepared on the subject, requesting you to kindly provide us with your opinion on its contents urgently. On behalf of the Foreign Minister 102 Translation of the memorandum by S. T. 1 and it is attached p. ⟦illegible⟧ 27 / 10 M. D. 2 The attached draft format (in English) suits the position that it was agreed the Iraqi government should take regarding this case, and it involves strength in defending the powers of the competent authorities and non- recognition of any external party's interference in the Kingdom's affairs and I suggest approving it. Nizar 27 / 10 M. S. I hope that a copy of the letter in its final form be distributed 5008 22
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22 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and refers to his letter dated 8 July 1949, No. SOA 17/90/LC, which enclosed a summary of communications received by the Secretariat from organizations and individuals alleging violations of human rights by the Iraqi Government. The Ministry has the honor to state that while it affirms its respect for the basic principles of human rights, it is difficult to find any relationship between the subjects raised in these communications and the Declaration of Human Rights. These alleged violations are, in fact, matters within the jurisdiction of this Kingdom alone, as certain individuals were found by the competent courts to be criminals for violating the provisions of the law. There is no doubt that the Secretariat recognizes that every sovereign state has the right to ensure the observance ⟦line⟧ of its laws and their implementation, and that the Iraqi Government does not recognize in any way the right of any external organization or foreign individuals to interfere in its internal affairs. The Ministry wishes, in addition to the above, to enlighten the Secretariat that the communication under discussion relates to the trial and execution of certain criminals whose guilt was proven by their participation in subversive movements that endanger the safety of the state and which the laws of this country consider as crimes. This Ministry deems it appropriate to present this letter to the Commission on Human Rights in a summary form. The Ministry takes this opportunity to express its highest respect ⟦line⟧ His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations Lake Success, New York
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- 2 - \ Communications received from individuals From France. A letter received on March 11, 1949, addressed to the Human Rights Commission. The signatories of the letter allege that a reign of terror prevails in Iraq at the hands of Nuri al-Said's government and state that human rights are completely ignored and that hundreds have been killed and wounded and they request the Commission to intervene to save the lives of dozens of young people threatened with death ⟦line⟧