Field Visit Uncovers Conditions at Duhok Reformatory

As part of its partnership with the Justice for Prisoners Network and with funding from Norwegian People’s Aid, Harikar Organization visited Zarka Adult Reformatory in Duhok on July 3, 2025 to assess detainee conditions. During the visit, staff conducted in-depth interviews with detainees to evaluate their legal status, living conditions, and access to healthcare and other services.

The visit revealed several critical needs requiring immediate attention, particularly the overcrowded facilities that need expansion, inadequate medical services that require upgrading, and insufficient legal support during judicial proceedings. Reformatory administration fully cooperated with the assessment team while ensuring detainee privacy and rights were respected throughout the process.

This visit represents part of ongoing collaborative efforts to improve detention conditions and ensure humane treatment of detainees. The findings will directly inform future reform programs aimed at addressing the identified gaps in services and facilities at the reformatory.