UN for international investigation into detainee torture in Iraq
Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/18/2005

The US has refused to belittle the consequences of the torture case of detainees in al-Jadereyah basement in Baghdad.

The spokesman for the American embassy in Baghdad James Bolok said in a press conference on Thursday that the US will work with the Iraqi authorities in order to question and hold officials responsible for these violations and take necessary measures so as such conditions will not be repeated.

The chairman of the Iraqi interim government, Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, stressed that he is persistent to look into these accusations. A statement by the American embassy said that Washington will not accept to maltreatment of detainees be it by the American forces or the Iraqi government.

The statement also warned against the control of what he called "the militias or groups from certain sects" over the security forces or ministries, and establishments in Iraq, in remarks to that most of the detainees were Arab Sunni who accuse the Shiite "Bader groups" of the "Islamic Revolution Higher Council" of being invloved in the torture scandal.

In a statement, the Iraqi minister of interior Jaber Soulakh played down in a press conference on Thursday the importance of this question. He explained that the number of the tortured persons did not exceed seven, and that they were only beaten. He accused the detainees of al-Jadereyah center of being dangerous terrorists, adding that those included among them are Arabs who slain Iraqis, and they refuse to disclose their names or nationalities.

He also refused to name al-Jadereayh basement as a secret detention place, stressing that it is a shelter built by the former Iraqi regime and it is "fortified against bombs." It has a judge and an investigation team composed of 29 Iraqi officers. He said that every recruited man in the ministry of interior proved to have beaten detainees or attacked them will be tried in his ministry.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today called for an international investigation into conditions of detention in Iraq, saying the recent discovery in an Interior Ministry building of detainees who appeared to have been tortured pointed to widespread problems with the system of detention.

"In announcing a probe into conditions of detention, the Government has acknowledged the problem. But in light of the apparently systemic nature and magnitude of that problem, and the importance of public confidence in any inquiry, I urge the authorities to consider calling for an international inquiry," she added in a statement.

An international element would help the authorities address the situation in an impartial and objective way, which is crucial to fostering an environment of respect for human rights and, ultimately, to achieving national reconciliation," Ms. Arbour said.

She noted that in addition to their treatment, the large number of detainees in Iraq was "a matter of worry," adding that while progress in reviewing cases had led to the release of hundreds of detainees, the overall number continued to increase due to mass arrests carried out during security and military operations.

"There is an urgent need to provide remedy to lengthy internment for security reasons without adequate judicial oversight," she said, adding that she was also concerned over reports from Mosul and other places that Interior Ministry officials continue to detain hundreds of individuals despite judicial orders for their release.

Previous Stories:
  Iraq: Annan deeply concerned by reported abuse of Iraqi detainees   (11/17/2005)
  UN rights expert calls for independent probe into Saddam trial lawyers' murder   (11/17/2005)
  Iraqi government tortures Iraqi detainess   (11/16/2005)
  Talibani fears Iraqi civil war after US withdrawal   (11/14/2005)

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