Women & Iraq

 

 

Action for Abeer

On March 12, 2006, Abeer Qassim Hamza Al-Janabi was viciously gang-raped and murdered in her own home in Mahmoudiya, Iraq. She was fourteen years old. Her mother, father and younger sister were shot to death. It took several months of silence before the story of their deaths slowly began to emerge (see our timeline). Five U.S. soldiers and one former soldier now await trial for allegedly committing this brutal war crime. 

The Women’s Media Center’s Action for Abeer campaign trains a spotlight on Abeer’s death while her alleged killers are brought to justice – and beyond. Our original articles and online resource center highlight the violent and often deadly conditions faced by women in Iraq and other war zones and in the military today. With Iraqi women’s rights rolling backwards, and an enduring culture of silence regarding U.S. military sexual assault, one thing remains clear - there are many Abeers. Through Action for Abeer, we call for justice and change for all. 

Action for Abeer: Timeline

March 12 2006– Abeer Al-Janabi is raped and murdered in her home, in Mahmoudiya Iraq, allegedly by a group of US soldiers.  Her parents and younger sister are also killed, and her body set on fire in an attempt to conceal the atrocity. 

Mid-May 06 – Former Army Pvt. Steven D. Green receives an honorable discharge and leaves the Army (due to “an anti-social personality disorder”) after serving 11 months with the 101st Airborne Division.

Mid-June 06 – 2 US soldiers are abducted and killed near Mahmoudiya.  As they were from the same platoon as the soldiers later charged with Abeer’s rape and murder, some believe this was a revenge attack.  However abductors do not refer to the murders until after the military investigation is announced.    

19 June 06 - Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Kunk, the commander of the soldiers' battalion in the 101st Airborne Division, first hears about the attack on the Al-Janabi family and begins investigating (according to testimony given at August hearing). 

Late June 06 – News reports begin to emerge about the atrocity – many referring to Abeer al-Janabi as a woman.  Many subsequent reports mention conflict between FBI and US Military estimates of victim’s age as around 20-25, and local reports, including from the Mayor of Mahmoudiya, that she is only 14.      

30 June 06 - Green is arrested in North Carolina, four days after an affidavit(LINK) seeking his arrest is issued. 

3 July 06 - Green is charged in Charlotte, N.C. with the rape and murder of Abeer and the murder of her parents and sister.  He is to be tried as a civilian in federal court.    

6 July 06 – Green enters plea of not guilty through his public defenders.  He waives a
detention hearing and a preliminary hearing.  More>>