Posted on 04/24/2009 6:42:48 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD — A joint inspection conducted by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense’s Human Rights Directorate, Ministry of Defense Advisory Team from the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, and the Multi-National Corp - Iraq’s Provost Marshal Office concluded that 19 detainees are being held in satisfactory conditions at the Iraqi Army 17th Division Headquarter based in Mahmudiyah.
The team visited one detention facility run by the division’s headquarter and another facility operated by the division’s brigade during the inspection. Living conditions were commendable at both facilities and detainees had access to an outside exercise area, decent latrines and showers, and they also received medical treatment if required.
Ms. Iman Naji Taha, the Deputy Director General for Human Rights and Director of the Human Rights Directorate, conducted interviews with all detainees and assessed if their detainment complied with the Prime Minister’s Executive Order 207, which governs the rights of detainees.
Executive Order 207 regulates, for example, family visitation rights and notification to the family when a person is detained.
“A notable success at MoD detention facilities has been that 100 percent of facilities permit family visitations,” said Mr. Tom Cruise, the Senior Human Rights Advisor with the MNSTC-I MoD-AT.
Nevertheless, the inspection uncovered some lapses in the areas of family visitations and notification periods which Iman discussed with the division commander so he would be in full compliance with Iraqi law. The division commander agreed to take corrective action.
The detainee inspection at the Iraqi Army’s 17th Division Headquarter was part of an ongoing inspection program being implemented by the MoD’s Human Rights Directorate and elements of the Coalition forces.
Detainee inspections occur at all 30 MoD detention facilities, and 50 joint inspections have taken place over the last 12 months to ensure full compliance with the rule of law and to instill respect for human rights.
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