The File of Journalist “Basim Al-Zaak”: The Crisis of “Enforced Disappearance” Places the Security and Discipline Directorate Under the Microscope of Accountability

The case of the disappearance of journalist and activist “Basim Al-Zaak” remains a critical security and legal gap in the file of press freedom in Iraq. It poses a direct challenge to the prestige of security institutions, specifically the Security and Discipline Directorate within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Commission.Context of the IncidentThe details of the case date back to the period following the parliamentary elections in 2021, where Al-Zaak was abducted while covering political protests rejecting the results at that time. Since that moment, his “absence” has transformed from a mere incidental event into a pressing human rights file, raising serious questions about the legal authority of certain security entities regarding detention and interrogation.Official Pressure and DocumentsOfficial documents and correspondence, including a letter issued by the Prime Minister’s Office in 2022, indicate government moves to reveal Al-Zaak’s fate. This letter was not merely a routine inquiry; it was an implicit acknowledgement of a “specific entity” required to provide answers, placing the ball in the court of the entities holding the ground and responsible for internal discipline at the time of the incident.Accusations and Demands for DisclosureAll eyes are currently turning intensively toward the Security and Discipline Directorate within the Commission, and its director (Ali Mayah), to reveal the circumstances of this thorny file. Current pressures are not limited to demanding the “reason for detention” or Al-Zaak’s health condition, but extend to demanding clarification on the legal basis for this disappearance which has lasted for years without a public trial oضr clear charges.Administrative IrregularitiesIn a related context, it appears the Al-Zaak file has opened the door to raising other issues regarding the administrative structure of the Directorate itself. Recently, accusations have surfaced regarding the issuance of IDs (badges) and official titles to individuals who are not actual affiliates of the Commission. This constitutes a grave security and administrative breach that endangers the institution’s reputation and allows its name to be exploited in illegal activities.ConclusionThe continued silence regarding the fate of “Basim Al-Zaak,” parallel to these administrative accusations, creates a state of congestion and increasing pressure that may not be containable soon, necessitating decisive intervention for transparency and the closure of this humanitarian and legal file.