X. Acknowledgments

Joseph Logan, researcher in the Middle East and North Africa Division of Human Rights Watch, and Michael Wahid Hanna, a consultant to Human Rights Watch and Program Officer with the Century Foundation, conducted the field research for this report in Baghdad in May 2008. Joseph Logan is the principal author of the report and Michael Wahid Hanna drafted sections of it.

Human Rights Watch thanks judges and other officials of Iraq's Central Criminal Court and Higher Judicial Council, and officials of the ministries of Justice and Human Rights for their cooperation and assistance at all stages of the research for this report. We extend our thanks to the detainees and lawyers who gave interviews to Human Rights Watch during the field research. Human Rights Watch appreciates the cooperation and assistance of UNAMI and the US and UK embassies in Baghdad before and during the research. Hania Mufti, head of UNAMI's human rights office at the time of the research, provided extensive assistance before and throughout the research for the report, as well as helpful comments on a draft. We also appreciate the cooperation of personnel of the Multinational Force-Iraq in gathering information for parts of this report. Leila Fadel, bureau chief for McClatchy Newspapers in Baghdad, and Tina Susman, bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times in Baghdad, also provided valuable assistance during the research for this report.

Joe Stork, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa Division of Human Rights Watch, and Ian Gorvin, senior program officer in the Program Office, edited the report. James Ross, legal and policy director, provided legal review. Clarisa Bencomo, Middle East and North Africa researcher for the Children's Rights Division, also reviewed the report. Amr Khairy helped with translation to Arabic. Nadia Barhoum, associate for the Middle East and North Africa Division, prepared this report for publication. Grace Choi, director of publications, and Fitzroy Hepkins, production manager, provided additional production assistance.