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Howard Government 'knew of torture'
May 11, 2004
THE Australian Government was told at least two months ago that prisoners in Iraq were being tortured by US soldiers, human rights groups have revealed.
Amnesty International also raised concerns over the possible torture of prisoners in the US-run Guantanamo Bay camp last October.
But the concerns were dismissed by the Government, which said the US had given assurances that "engaging in torture is against both US law and policy".
An Amnesty International spokeswoman said yesterday a report on the first 12 months of the war, issued on March 18, had been sent to several senior members of the Federal Government.
The report outlined examples of a prisoner who was "beaten, given electric shocks, suspended by his legs, had his penis tied and subjected to sleep deprivation".
It also accused coalition troops of using "prolonged sleep deprivation, beatings, prolonged restraint in painful positions, sometimes combined with exposure to loud music, prolonged hooding and exposure to bright lights".
The International Committee of the Red Cross outlined complaints of torture to US authorities in Iraq in February. Sources within the organisation in Australia said the information "would also have been given to every other occupying power".
Red Cross officials in Geneva declined to comment on what was considered a confidential report to US civilian administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer.
US officials were struggling last night over how to release the next wave of disturbing photographs and videos depicting the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. It is believed the explosive pictures show men, women and teenage prisoners suffering beatings, sexual abuse and rape.
Last October Amnesty raised concerns about the possible torture of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay with Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.
At the time, Mr Ruddock said: "The Government has raised this matter with US authorities who have explained that media reports are inaccurate, and engaging in torture is against both US law and policy."
A spokesman for Mr Ruddock last night stood by the response. "We've not seen anything that conflicts with it, including comments by (Australian prisoner) David Hicks' own lawyers," he said.
Prime Minister John Howard did not respond to a question yesterday about when he first learned of torture claims against Australia's coalition allies.
http://www.news.com....255E421,00.html
May 11, 2004
THE Australian Government was told at least two months ago that prisoners in Iraq were being tortured by US soldiers, human rights groups have revealed.
Amnesty International also raised concerns over the possible torture of prisoners in the US-run Guantanamo Bay camp last October.
But the concerns were dismissed by the Government, which said the US had given assurances that "engaging in torture is against both US law and policy".
An Amnesty International spokeswoman said yesterday a report on the first 12 months of the war, issued on March 18, had been sent to several senior members of the Federal Government.
The report outlined examples of a prisoner who was "beaten, given electric shocks, suspended by his legs, had his penis tied and subjected to sleep deprivation".
It also accused coalition troops of using "prolonged sleep deprivation, beatings, prolonged restraint in painful positions, sometimes combined with exposure to loud music, prolonged hooding and exposure to bright lights".
The International Committee of the Red Cross outlined complaints of torture to US authorities in Iraq in February. Sources within the organisation in Australia said the information "would also have been given to every other occupying power".
Red Cross officials in Geneva declined to comment on what was considered a confidential report to US civilian administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer.
US officials were struggling last night over how to release the next wave of disturbing photographs and videos depicting the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. It is believed the explosive pictures show men, women and teenage prisoners suffering beatings, sexual abuse and rape.
Last October Amnesty raised concerns about the possible torture of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay with Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.
At the time, Mr Ruddock said: "The Government has raised this matter with US authorities who have explained that media reports are inaccurate, and engaging in torture is against both US law and policy."
A spokesman for Mr Ruddock last night stood by the response. "We've not seen anything that conflicts with it, including comments by (Australian prisoner) David Hicks' own lawyers," he said.
Prime Minister John Howard did not respond to a question yesterday about when he first learned of torture claims against Australia's coalition allies.
http://www.news.com....255E421,00.html
Disgusting.
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