Overview
- UN human‑rights experts issued a public warning on Monday that Robert Pether, an Australian engineer in Baghdad, faces a potentially life‑threatening oncological condition and lacks access to specialist care.
- Pether was arrested in August 2021 during a commercial dispute over a $33 million Central Bank of Iraq contract, later given a five‑year sentence and ordered to pay $12 million by Iraqi courts.
- He was released from prison in 2025 but remains unable to leave Iraq because of a travel ban and continuing financial claims tied to the contract dispute.
- The UN statement notes Pether has a documented history of melanoma and dysplastic nevus syndrome, alleges prior skin procedures in detention were poorly assessed and led to complications, and recommends urgent specialist oncological evaluation because of the risk of progression and metastasis.
- The experts urged Australian and Iraqi authorities to act without delay to secure specialist treatment and remove barriers to his departure, a move that could force diplomatic talks and determine whether he can return home for care.