Gangs in Baghdad are seizing homes left empty by those – mostly Christian families – who have been forced to flee because of violent attacks, it was reported in April.
William Warda, head of the Baghdad-based Hammurabi Human Rights Organisation, said they had received dozens of cases, adding: ‘Most of them are afraid of submitting complaints to the government, because they do not believe they can protect themselves if they file a lawsuit – they are fearful of being kidnapped.’
The Christian community has been most affected by the home seizures because of the high number who have fled as a result of targeted violence and because they do not have the protection of tribal affiliations that Arab Muslims have. Many did not sell their properties, hopeful of one day being able to return. Although targeted anti-Christian violence has been less intense in recent years, Iraq continues to be rocked by instability as a resurgent al-Qaeda wreaks havoc.
