Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
By UTA HARNISCHFEGER - Associated Press Writer
GENEVA - (AP) The top U.N. human rights official called Friday for
an international investigation into the condition of detainees in Iraq,
responding to the recent discovery of Interior Ministry prisoners showing
signs of torture.
"In light of the apparently systemic nature and magnitude of that
problem, and the importance of public confidence in any inquiry, I urge
authorities to consider calling for an international inquiry," said Louise
Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.
The Iraqi government "acknowledged the problem" by promising to
investigate detention facilities across the country, Arbour said, adding
that it was not enough.
"There is much international concern and interest in the situation
in Iraq," she said.
Earlier this week, U.S. troops found up to 173 malnourished
detainees _ some showing signs of torture _ in an Interior Ministry building
in Baghdad's Jadriyah district. Most were believed to be Sunni Arabs, the
main group in the insurgency.
A leader of a major Sunni party, Tariq al-Hashimi, told Iraq's
Sharqiyah television that his group had submitted 50 complaints of prisoner
abuse to the government, "but we did not receive a timely response."
Iraqi Interior Minister Bayn Jabr, a Shiite, said torture claims
were exaggerated.
Prominent Sunni Arabs have complained for months about abuse by
Interior Ministry forces, whom they claim have been infiltrated by Shiite
militias. The Sunnis have called for an international investigation after
the Jadriyah detainees were found.
On Thursday, the United States warned Iraqi officials against
allowing Shiite militias a role in the security services. The Baghdad
government denies the militia allegations.
Arbour's office said it was ready to offer its expertise but did not
want to define the type of inquiry and who should conduct it.
"We are not giving an exact prescription on how the probe should be
conducted or by whom," said her spokesman, Jose Luis Diaz. "But it is
important that an inquiry not only be impartial but be seen by the Iraqi
people as impartial."
Such an investigation could be a joint international undertaking in
which Arbour's office could work with others, Diaz said.
Arbour said the large number of detainees in Iraq also was "a matter
of worry." Overall, the number of prisoners has continued to increase
because of mass arrests carried out during security and military operations,
Arbour said, citing a recent U.N. report.
"There is an urgent need to provide remedy to lengthy internment for
security reasons without adequate judicial oversight," she said.
Arbour also said she was concerned about reports from Mosul and
other places where Iraqi officials continue to detain "hundreds of
individuals, despite orders for their release."
GENEVA - (AP) The top U.N. human rights official called Friday for
an international investigation into the condition of detainees in Iraq,
responding to the recent discovery of Interior Ministry prisoners showing
signs of torture.
"In light of the apparently systemic nature and magnitude of that
problem, and the importance of public confidence in any inquiry, I urge
authorities to consider calling for an international inquiry," said Louise
Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.
The Iraqi government "acknowledged the problem" by promising to
investigate detention facilities across the country, Arbour said, adding
that it was not enough.
"There is much international concern and interest in the situation
in Iraq," she said.
Earlier this week, U.S. troops found up to 173 malnourished
detainees _ some showing signs of torture _ in an Interior Ministry building
in Baghdad's Jadriyah district. Most were believed to be Sunni Arabs, the
main group in the insurgency.
A leader of a major Sunni party, Tariq al-Hashimi, told Iraq's
Sharqiyah television that his group had submitted 50 complaints of prisoner
abuse to the government, "but we did not receive a timely response."
Iraqi Interior Minister Bayn Jabr, a Shiite, said torture claims
were exaggerated.
Prominent Sunni Arabs have complained for months about abuse by
Interior Ministry forces, whom they claim have been infiltrated by Shiite
militias. The Sunnis have called for an international investigation after
the Jadriyah detainees were found.
On Thursday, the United States warned Iraqi officials against
allowing Shiite militias a role in the security services. The Baghdad
government denies the militia allegations.
Arbour's office said it was ready to offer its expertise but did not
want to define the type of inquiry and who should conduct it.
"We are not giving an exact prescription on how the probe should be
conducted or by whom," said her spokesman, Jose Luis Diaz. "But it is
important that an inquiry not only be impartial but be seen by the Iraqi
people as impartial."
Such an investigation could be a joint international undertaking in
which Arbour's office could work with others, Diaz said.
Arbour said the large number of detainees in Iraq also was "a matter
of worry." Overall, the number of prisoners has continued to increase
because of mass arrests carried out during security and military operations,
Arbour said, citing a recent U.N. report.
"There is an urgent need to provide remedy to lengthy internment for
security reasons without adequate judicial oversight," she said.
Arbour also said she was concerned about reports from Mosul and
other places where Iraqi officials continue to detain "hundreds of
individuals, despite orders for their release."