News Release
IPU welcomes the release of former MP Ahmed Al-Alwani
Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday 1 May 2025.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) welcomes the release and acquittal of former Iraqi MP Mr. Ahmed
Al-Alwani on 23 April 2025, following more than a decade of detention.
Mr. Al-Alwani was arrested in December 2013 in Ramadi, Iraq, in a raid that violated his parliamentary
immunity and resulted in the deaths of his brother and seven others. He was held incommunicado,
tortured and sentenced to death by hanging.
The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has been closely monitoring the case,
repeatedly calling for his release and seeking opportunities to engage with Iraqi authorities.
In August 2023, a breakthrough came when an IPU delegation, including the Committee President at the
time, Mr. Samuel Cogolati, and former member Mr. Mushahid Hussein, visited Baghdad. The team met
with Iraqi leaders at the highest levels, as well as Mr. Al-Alwani in detention, his family and legal
representatives.
The
mission
provided a platform for dialogue, transparency and trust-building. During the visit, the IPU
used diplomatic channels to urge political and religious leaders to prevent Mr. Al-Alwani’s
execution and
to seek a satisfactory resolution.
More recently, the release of Mr. Al-Alwani became possible after the family of a victim from the 2013
raid withdrew their complaint and accepted financial compensation, enabling Mr. Al-Alwani to benefit
from the amnesty law.
The IPU’s efforts, combined with the crucial mediation
of tribal leaders and the Iraqi authorities’
commitment to resolving the case, helped overcome longstanding political obstacles and contributed to
Mr. Al-Alwani’s
release.
Mr. Al-Alwani’s
family have credited the IPU’s consistent advocacy, monitoring and direct engagement
with promoting accountability and encouraging the Iraqi authorities to reach a fair and peaceful
resolution.
Background
The
IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians
is the only international complaints
mechanism with the specific mandate to defend the human rights of
persecuted parliamentarians
around
the world. Its work includes mobilizing the international parliamentary community to support threatened
MPs, lobbying national authorities, visiting MPs in danger and sending trial observers.
Find out more about the live
cases
currently being monitored by the IPU.
The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral
political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the
IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 14 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes
peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger,
greener, more innovative and gender-balanced.
For more information about the IPU contact