Report on Human Rights Practices for 2006 Iraq, with a
population of approximately 25 million, is a republic with a
freely elected government led by Prime Minister Nouri Jawad al-
Maliki. The current administration assumed office on May 20,
after the Council of Representatives (CoR) approved a unity
government composed of the major political parties. The December
15, 2005, CoR elections establishing this government met
internationally recognized electoral standards for free and fair
elections, and the results of the elections reflected the will
of the voters, according to the final report of the
International Mission for Iraqi Elections. During the year,
sectarian violence increased and deepened. Widespread violence
seriously compromised the government's ability to protect human
rights. Sectarian-driven violence, acts of terrorism, and
revenge by armed groups in a climate of criminality and impunity
undercut government efforts to establish and maintain the rule
of law. On one side, predominantly Sunni Arab gro