48. With regard to the treatment inflicted on the Kurdish people in Iraq in general, the existence of a situation of war was evident and people all over the world had been able to see on television the effects of chemical and E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/SR.26 page 9 biological weapons on the Kurdish civilian population of Halabja in March 1988. Half a million Kurdish people were said to have been held as hostages for at least 10 years in Nazi-style concentration camps in the south-western desert area of Iraq at Arar, Samawa, Dywana and Rumadi. How long would world opinion tolerate the oppression of more than 20 million Kurdish people by states that had repeatedly shown the contempt in which they held the most fundamental human rights? 49. Ms. JAFFE (International Commission of Health Professionals for Health and Human Rights ICHP) said that since 1985 her organization had been carrying out regular missions to countries where torture was practised. During a preliminary exploratory period, it established contacts with doctors and with human rights defence organizations and subsequently missions had been of a therapeutic nature. SO. In one country, the ICHP team had been to see a hunger striker released after four years' detention, two of them under forced feeding in a hospital, and had then seen some of his fellow detainees, as they were released, thus obtaining information on other forms of detention and on torture. In all consultations, a medical and psychological assessment of the effects of torture, and arrangements for treatment had been made. Meetings had taken place with families of patients, since they were an essential link in the process of rehabilitation. 51. Missions had identified a variety of complaints. Serious psychological or psychiatric disorders, and psychosomatic problems had been found in all 
**Analysis**
The text appears to discuss the human rights violations and humanitarian crises affecting the Kurdish people in Iraq, particularly in terms of torture, detention, and chemical and biological warfare. The mention of medical and psychological assessments, treatment, and rehabilitation also suggests a focus on the health impacts of these crises. Additionally, the text references international organizations and human rights defense groups, indicating a global perspective on the issue.

**Category**
Health, Humanitarian aid and relief