Iraqi government tortures Iraqi detainess
Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/16/2005

Detainees held by the Iraqi government were tortured and malnourished it was recently discovered.

The Washington Post in a report yesterday said that "A U.S.-led raid uncovered an underground prison run by Iraq's Interior Ministry where detainees allegedly were being tortured, the prime minister said Tuesday. Separately, a Sunni Arab leader accused the government of involvement in the kidnapping and killing of 46 Sunni men."

The current government is Shiite led. The previous toppled government of Saddam Hussein was Sunni led, and was accused by Shiite of brutality against Shiites.

The US Department Of State Spokesman, Adam Ereli, was questioned about this yesterday. Ereli said: obviously when you become aware of issues and instances like this, it is troubling. The United States has urged the Government of Iraq to investigate and take action against any of its personnel who have been involved in torture and abuse. I would note that the Iraqi Government has pledged to take swift action. The prime minister has already launched an investigation and ordered that the detainees be moved to a better location and receive medical care.

I would say that on a broader -- on a more general note, that in Iraq, as elsewhere, respect for human rights and the rule of law is a central component of our relationship and a key area for involvement -- of US involvement and US support for the government in trying to develop and helping it to develop the capabilities to address these issues and to provide for the rights of its citizens.

QUESTION: And there's no indication that the coalition had any knowledge of this facility?

MR. ERELI: Not that I'm aware of. I mean -- well, I'll leave it at that.

Yeah. Saul.

QUESTION: Any thought being given to calling an independent US investigation?

MR. ERELI: I think we're looking for the Iraqi Government to take action on this.

QUESTION: Just to clarify, I think when you said that you'd urged the government to investigate, you said investigate if any of its --

MR. ERELI: The Ministry of -- yes, personnel.

QUESTION: So why have such a narrow scope? Of course, this form of torture could be done by all sorts of people. They don't have to be Iraqis.

MR. ERELI: Well, I think the allegations and presumptions are that these took place in Iraqi-controlled facilities.

QUESTION: So does that mean you can already rule out that US forces were involved in --

MR. ERELI: Like I said, I'm not aware that that is an issue before us. Obviously, as you know, the United States has a clear policy on regarding the treatment of detainees in its custody. Our forces receive clear guidelines on this score and that we hold ourselves to the highest standards and impose standards of accountability when there are abuses. So I would say as a general matter, were there to be any question about possible US involvement in any case of abuse, those standards and those regulations would apply.

QUESTION: So who would investigate them?

MR. ERELI: If US actions -- actions taken by US personnel under US facilities are investigated by the United States.

QUESTION: So does that mean that when you're urging the Iraqi Government you're --

MR. ERELI: Talking about Iraqi personnel and Iraqi --

QUESTION: And they should not pursue any leads if they were to lead to American personnel?

MR. ERELI: I didn't say that.

QUESTION: No, I'm -- but why narrow it? Why have it so narrow? Why can't -- it's on Iraqi soil -- why can't they just investigate? What's your --

MR. ERELI: Let's take a step back. As far as I'm aware, the issue we're dealing with is allegations of abuse of Iraqis by Iraqis in Iraqi facilities. If there's issue of American -- there's no issue of American involvement in this, were there to be, then obviously our procedures and regulations would apply.

Previous Stories:
  Blair on the possibility of withdrawing forces from Iraq in 2006   (11/15/2005)
  Different reaction in the Jordanian street to al-Reishawi confessions   (11/15/2005)
  Arab ministerial committee on Iraq to hold a meeting   (11/15/2005)
  Talibani fears Iraqi civil war after US withdrawal   (11/14/2005)
  Iraq progressing toward democracy, Rice affirms in baghdad   (11/12/2005)
  Rice in north Iraq calls for vast participation in elections   (11/11/2005)

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