Iraq authorities are illegally detaining thousands of women, many of whom are subjected to torture and ill-treatment including the threat of sexual abuse, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

The 105-page report contained the testimony of dozens of women.

Allegations of abuse are not new, but the findings by the New York-based rights group -- which come despite government pledges of reform -- raise concerns about Iraq's ability to handle those detained in massive security sweeps targeting militants.

Human Rights Watch said that women have been held for months or even years without charge before seeing a judge.

Salah was executed in September 2013, seven months after HRW met her.

The HRW also said that Iraqi senior officials dismissed reports of abuse of women in detention as exceptional cases.

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