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[LINK]).  Five U.S. soldiers and one former soldier now await trial for this brutal war crime.  Yet it remains to be seen whether justice will be done.               

The Women’s Media Center’s Action for Abeer campaign trains a spotlight on Abeer’s death while her 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 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 – 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 – 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. 

June 19 - 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). 
June 30 - Green is arrested in North Carolina, four days after an affidavit seeking his arrest was issued.  He pleads not guilty to one count of rape and four counts of murder in Kentucky.
Late June – First news reports begin to emerge about the atrocity (referring to Abeer al-Janabi as a woman).
July 8 - Spc. James P. Barker, Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman and Pfc. Bryan L. Howard are charged with the rape and murder of Abeer and the murder of her parents and sister.  Sgt. Anthony W. Yribe is charged with dereliction of duty.
July 9 – Associated Press reports that victim may be as young as 14.
August 6-10 – Article 32 Hearing held in Baghdad to determine whether evidence is sufficient to proceed to court martial.  (Defence focuses on the stress of combat.)
August 19 – This date would have been Abeer’s 15th birthday.
August 22 – Iraqi government announces an independent investigation.
August 31 - Gag order requested by attorneys for Steven Green is denied. US District Judge Thomas Russell also orders Steven Green to be arraigned in federal court on November 8th.

September 3 – Following the Article 32 hearings, US Army Investigator recommends that Barker, Cortez, Spielman and Howard be court martialled.  Major General Thomas Turner, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, is courts martial convening authority and, as of October 9 2006, is yet to announce his decision.

Nov 8 – Steven Green due to be arraigned in federal court in Louisville Kentucky.