USA: Call for commission of inquiry into ‘war on terror’ detentions
The US Congress must set up an impartial and independent commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the USA’s "war on terror" detentions across the globe, Amnesty International said today.
The commission, composed of credible experts independent of government, must have broad-ranging powers to examine the administration’s detention policies and practices and ensure accountability at the highest level.
"The problem does not begin or end at Abu Ghraib. The rule of law and promotion of security and human rights demand that daylight be shone onto all the USA’s detention policies and practices," said Amnesty International.
Evidence of war crimes committed in Abu Ghraib follows persistent claims of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against detainees during the past two and a half years. The USA continues to violate international law and standards by holding detainees outside the protection of the law in Guantanamo, Iraq, Afghanistan and secret locations. Its alleged transfer of detainees to face torture in third countries has also been a matter of deep concern throughout this period.
"The US administration has fostered a climate conducive to torture and cruelty. We have seen a contemptuous approach to international law and standards, the use of incommunicado and secret detention, and repeated dehumanization and labelling of detainees as 'killers' and 'terrorists'."
The commander of the US forces in Iraq has now barred interrogators from using some so-called "stress and duress" techniques, including sleep deprivation, dietary manipulation, stress positions, and use of dogs. Some of these techniques reportedly violate the international prohibition on cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. However, the authorities have not precluded the use of such techniques in interrogations in Afghanistan, Guantanamo or at secret locations.
"Prosecuting alleged perpetrators caught on film in Abu Ghraib through military proceedings will not be enough for justice to be done. Full accountability, of persons at all levels of the chain of command, including officers in the armed forces, Central Intelligence Agency personnel and private contractors, is crucial," said Amnesty International.