Iraqi parliament president speaks at detainee release ceremony

Photo By Senior Chief Petty Officer Terry L. Feeney | Iraq media interview Dr. Ahmed Abd al-Ghafour Samara'i, director of the Sunni Endowment, after a ceremony held June 26. The release ceremonies, known as Lion's Dawn, are held monthly as part of a cooperative initiative between the government of Iraq and Multi-National Forces Iraq. Detainees are released when they no longer pose an imperative threat to the security of Iraq.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.26.2008

Courtesy Story

Task Force 134

By Multi-National Force-Iraq Press Desk

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The release of approximately 300 detainees from coalition custody June 26 marked the 10th ceremony of its kind since the government of Iraq began the customary honor in October 2007.

Dr. Mahmood Dawood Salman al-Meshhadany, president of the Iraqi parliament, and Dr. Ahmed Abd al-Ghafour Samara'I, director of the Sunni Endowment, hosted the release ceremony at Camp Victory.

"Other releasees have joined the reconciliation to start building their country with your brothers," said Meshhadany. "And your country is waiting for you to build it, too."

The release ceremonies, known as Lion's Dawn, are held monthly as part of a cooperative initiative between the government of Iraq and Multi-National Forces Iraq. Detainees are released when they no longer pose an imperative threat to the security of Iraq.

"We don't want bloodshed, we don't want to burn our land, we don't want our women to be disgraced, we want to build this land," said Samara'i.

The ceremony honored a symbolic new beginning for the detainees. While in coalition forces' custody, detainees undergo continuous assessments and attend a review board process every six months in which they have the opportunity to discuss their case with a three-person panel of service members. Prior to release, detainees make a pledge to an Iraqi judge that they will work for peace and maintain good conduct.

Detainees in the custody of coalition forces are offered education such as Arabic, English, math and civics as well as vocational training to include carpentry, tiling, masonry, textile work and work-for-pay opportunities. Any money made during their time in the Theater Internment Facility can be transferred to their families during visitation.

"I call on the ministry of industry to initiate projects and create jobs for these free men, God willing," said Samara'i.

Detainees may visit with family members for up to two hours approximately every three weeks. Travel stipends are available for families traveling from outside the local area, and Victory Base offers video-teleconferencing (VTC) for virtual "visits." This connection to family and community aids in a smooth transition home.

There are around 21,000 coalition detainees at two locations – Camp Cropper in western Baghdad and Camp Bucca in southern Iraq.

Since the beginning of 2008, a total of 8,380 detainees have been released. At this rate, the number of releases is on track to almost double 2007's figure of 8,952.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2008
• Date Posted: 06.27.2008 02:20
• Story ID: 20898
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ