Posted on 01/24/2005 7:35:03 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
LONDON (AP) -
Iraqi security forces are arbitrarily arresting people and systematically torturing and abusing detainees, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Tuesday.
With few exceptions, Iraqi authorities have not acted to stop such mistreatment, the report said. International police advisers, largely funded by the U.S. government, "have turned a blind eye to these rampant abuses," it said.
"The Iraqi interim government led by Prime Minister Ayad Allawi ... appears to be actively taking part, or is at least complicit, in these grave violations of fundamental human rights. Nor has the United States, the United Kingdom or other involved governments publicly taken up these issues as a matter of concern," the report said.
"The people of Iraq were promised something better than this after the government of Saddam Hussein fell," said Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Middle East and North Africa section of Human Rights Watch.
"The Iraqi security forces obviously face tremendous challenges, including an insurgency that has targeted civilians," Whitson added.
"We unequivocally condemn the insurgents' brutality. But international law is unambiguous on this point: no government can justify torture of detainees in the name of security," she said.
Human Rights Watch said it interviewed 90 detainees in Iraq, of whom 72 claimed to have been tortured or abused.
"The majority of the detainees to whom Human Rights Watch spoke said that torture and ill-treatment under interrogation was routine," the report said.
"Some also said that the police also used violence against them at the time of arrest. The accounts of their treatment at the hands of the police were consistent to a high degree.
"Typically, detainees reported being blindfolded with their hands tied behind their back while undergoing interrogation. They said their interrogators or guards kicked, slapped and punched them, and beat them all over the body using hosepipes, wooden sticks, iron rods and cables," the report said.
In London, the Foreign Office said it welcomed the report and would study it.
"The U.K. government condemns all forms of abuse, whoever the perpetrators. We have raised the issue of conditions in Iraqi detention facilities with the Iraqi government and will continue to do so in the future," the Foreign Office said.
"We are grateful to Human Rights Watch for this report and will study the issues that it raises and its recommendations carefully. The British government is providing assistance to the Iraqi government to overcome the legacy of decades of abuse of human rights under the previous regime. This involves training and monitoring of Iraqi police and prison service in southern Iraq. Of course we stand ready to consider any further requests for assistance from the Iraq government."
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On the Net:
Report, http://hrw.org/reports/2005/iraq0105/
Iraqi security forces are arbitrarily arresting people and systematically torturing and abusing detainees, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Tuesday.
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Sounds more like the Left Wing Liberals are protecting People of questionable activities. Where were they when Saddam was throwing people off of Roofs, hiding in CNN's Baghdad offices no doubt.
Well, at least they did not use the most dreaded of all, the Pantie Torture!
Insurgent Forces Beheading Detainees ( Human Rights Watch ...... Whoops, they didn't say that, did they......?)
Tells you a lot there, don't it?
Human Rights Watch is on a crusade to turn Iraq back over to Saddam Hussein. Nothing less will do. HRW is the most politicised "human rights" organization on the planet, worse even than Amnesty International. It's obvious that any asshole can start an organization with the words "human rights" in it and the press will lap it up. It's a farce.
"Typically, detainees reported being blindfolded with their hands tied behind their back while undergoing interrogation. They said their interrogators or guards kicked, slapped and punched them, and beat them all over the body using hosepipes, wooden sticks, iron rods and cables," the report said. "
Awww. My heart bleeds for them. Imagine that - the Iraqi government abusing these guys who are only trying to blow up them, their wives and children. Besides, the last time I checked, Iraq wasn't part of the U.S.
Where can I mail the Iraqi governmnet some rubber hoses???
23 at Guantanamo Tried Mass Hanging in '03
The International lefties are pulling out all the stops to stall the vote in IRAQ
Read: STFU!!
Send them dainty PANTIES!!!
At least they are not chopping of people's heads on the streets...
Do they have a problem with the insurgents capturing
NON-MILITARY workers, civilians, and hacking their heads
off WITHOUT ANESTHESIA? If they have no problem with that,
may be they can volunteer for the next beheading?
Why is it we never hear a word out these self-rightious do gooders about the other side? It's always about those trying to make things right doing something wrong never about the bad guys, the real bad guys.
They did the same thing during the Vietnam War it was always about the US or SVN doing bad things and never proved except for Mai-Lai, never about the NVA or the VC.
How much does it cost to ship a couple of Sears Diehards to Iraq?
Well , they don't care what the other side does, in fact that is a good thing from their Nihilists viewpoint....
It may be true, or HRW crying wolf, but What? Me Worry?
I like your homepage.
If there were no panties on the head, it doesn't qualify as torture. I hope the Iraqi government points this out. They can say that they found out via world opinion what constitutes torture and they gave their police orders never to put panties on the heads of their detainees. Therefore, they are in compliance with international laws.
"Why is it we never hear a word out these self-rightious do gooders about the other side? It's always about those trying to make things right doing something wrong never about the bad guys, the real bad guys"
i think they just want the attention. since the insurgents get so much air time anyway, they wanted to grab a little spotlight for their pet project.
if it's true, though, i think it's dangerous for allawi.
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