Many Iraqi people lived in constant fear under Saddam Hussein's regime, where arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings were common. This excerpt from a report by the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office is based on testimony of Iraqi exiles, and other evidence gathered by the United Nations and human rights organizations. It describes some of the human rights abuses in Iraq under Hussein's rule.

Torture

Torture is systematic in Iraq. The most senior figures in the regime are personally involved.

Saddam Hussein runs Iraq with close members of his own family and a few associates, most of whom come from his hometown of Tikrit. These are the only people he feels he can trust. He directly controls the security services and, through them and a huge party network, his influence reaches deep into Iraqi society. All real authority rests with Saddam and...