'Emo' youth targeted in Iraq

Rights groups criticise government for not investigating alleged killings.

An unconfirmed number of Iraqi youths have reportedly been killed for being what is known as "emo".

Identified by black clothes and punk hairstyles, emos in Iraq are often perceived as homosexuals, un-Islamic and devil worshipers.

Human rights groups say the government has failed to protect its citizens from harm and intimidation. What’s being done to end these deaths?

In this episode of The Stream, we speak to Yanar Mohammed, president of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, and Andre Banks, executive director of Allout.org.

What do you think? What’s behind the recent killings of emo youth in Iraq? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.

Here are some social media elements featured in this episode of The Stream:

View the story "'Emo' youth targeted in Iraq" on Storify'Emo' youth targeted in IraqRights groups criticise government for not investigating alleged killings.Storified by The Stream · Thu, Mar 22 2012 12:11:28

Reports of an organised campaign against Iraqi teenagers who dress in the emo style have created panic in local and international media.

Saif Raad Asmar Abboudi was killed in mid-February for reasons that remain unclear. His death has been attributed to the campaign against emos and was also described as an anti-gay murder and tribal killing. FbcdnThe story has been widely reported in international media, despite human rights groups' inability to independently verify reported killings as part of an organised campaign. Some reports within Iraq have reported a death toll of several dozen, while the Brussels Tribunal, an NGO dealing with Iraqi issues, said the current figure ranges “between 90 and 100.”This image from a video created in response to the attacks, in which teenage boys have been bludgeoned with cement blocks, says "the price of blocks is rising".FlickrWordpress

In English, “emo” is short for “emotional,” referring to self-identified teens and young adults who listen to certain kinds of rock music, often dress in black, close-fitting clothes, and have punk-style haircuts. In Iraq, emos are often equated with gays.

CbcLists of names and a warning to stop dressing in the emo fashion have apparently been posted in Baghdad neighbourhoods. Below, a sign reads: “To every licentious man or woman, we are warning you: in case you don’t stop these filthy actions within four days God’s punishment will come upon your heads by the hands of those who fight for His own name. Remember that we warned you.”WordpressHuman rights groups have accused the Iraqi Ministry of Interior of complicity in the campaign. In a widely circulated February 13 press release (which is no longer available on the website), the government equates emos to Satanists. "The Director of Community Police of the Ministry of the Interior has been following up on the phenomenon of “EMO” or Satanists, and they have official approval to eliminate them as soon as possible, because the dimensions of this community have begun to move in another direction, and are now threatening danger." A full translation is available here. Wordpress

Armed men associated with Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who controls areas of Baghdad where bodies were discovered, have been accused of carrying out the killings. Below, in a statement where al-Sadr was asked about emos, he writes at the bottom of the page: "Regarding what you mentioned, sir, in your question, they are a group of lunatics and are a disease in a Muslim society, so those who are responsible should get rid of them from the outset, in accordance with the law."

WordpressIn this local news report, men in Baghdad voice their concerns about the campaign against emos.EMO in IRAQ (translated) - تصفية مقلدي ظاهرة الأيمو بالعراقomaralsharki

Some Iraqimedia reports have characterised what theycall the “emerging emo phenomenon” as a movement of un-Islamic Satanists and even vampires.

ظاهرة الايمو في العراق100azezThough most reports have focused on the men and teenage boys who are being targeted, emo girls in Iraq are fearful as well. ظاهره الايمو في العراق...salllam69While the campaign against emos is new, intimidation and murder of Iraqi homosexuals is not. An organised murder campaign of homosexuals and suspected homosexuals was documented by Human Rights Watch in 2009. Ahmed on Vimeodanrafter85

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'Emo' youth targeted in Iraq

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