New Iraqi Police Follow Footsteps of Saddam Regime’s
The HRW’s 94-page report titled "The New Iraq? Torture and Ill Treatment of Detainees in Iraqi Custody" states that Iraqi police are violating human rights in a systematic use of unlawful and arbitrary arrest, prolonged pre-trial detention without judicial review, widespread and routine torture and abuse of detainees, denial of access by families and lawyers to detainees, improper treatment of detained children, and abysmal conditions in pre-trial detention facilities.
HRW conducted face-to-face interviews with a total of 90 current and former detainees in Iraq between July and October of 2004. 72 of those interviewed say they were subjected to torture and abuse in detention. The international human rights group noted that insurgent attacks on Iraqi police does not mean Iraqi officials have the right to abuse their detainees. Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of the HRW’s Middle East and North Africa Division, said: "The people of Iraq were promised something better than this after the government of Saddam Hussein fell. The Iraqi Interim Government is not keeping its promises to honor and respect basic human rights. Sadly, the Iraqi people continue to suffer from a government that acts with impunity in its treatment of detainees." The HRW explained that the most widespread method used by the Iraqi police is "beating" in addition to kicking, slapping and punching; prolonged suspension of detainees from the wrists with the hands tied behind the back; electric shocks to sensitive parts of the body, including the earlobes and genitals; and keeping detainees blindfolded and/or handcuffed continuously for several days. The HRW report also noted that Iraqi police did not give water and food to detainees and asked for bribes in return for water and food and for allowing detainees to see their families.
The HRW report cites details regarding serious and widespread human rights violations since 2003. It also emphasizes that torture and abuse are applied to both suspects accused of threatening national security and ordinary criminals. The report signifies as well that since mid-2004, Iraqi intelligence has committed serious human rights violations, especially against political party members that allegedly threaten national security.
The latest report covers the period of July to October of 2004 and does not address torture and abuse by international forces. The report concludes that, other than a few exceptions, Iraqi officials failed to initiate an investigation or punish officials responsible for human rights violations and highlights that international police consultants, many of whom are US citizens, have also ignored human rights violations.
The prominent US human rights group, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), released a statement on Monday (January 24) that said, "Allegations indicate that the torture is not limited only to Abu Ghraib, but goes much further."
