Iraqi Prisoner Details Abuse by Americans

[No2W2004]

NAJAF, Iraq - Dhia al-Shweiri spent several stints in Baghdad's notorious Abu Ghraib prison, twice under Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s rule and once under American. He prefers Saddam's torture to the humiliation of being stripped naked by his American guards, he said Sunday in an interview with The Associated Press.

America's top general, Gen. Richard Myers, said Sunday there was no evidence of "systematic abuse" and the actions of "just a handful" have unfairly tainted all American forces.

However, Amnesty International said it has uncovered a "pattern of torture" of Iraqi prisoners by coalition troops, and called for an independent investigation into the claims of abuse.

The 30-year-old al-Shweiri, who used to work in a fabric shop, is a die-hard fighter in the al-Mahdi Army, the fanatic militia of a Shiite Muslim cleric who has vowed to take on the Americans.

Al-Shweiri said that while jailed by Saddam's regime, he was electrocuted, beaten and hung from the ceiling with his hands tied behind his back.

"But that's better than the humiliation of being stripped naked," he said. "Shoot me here," he added, pointing between his eyes, "but don't do this to us."

(snip)

"They were trying to humiliate us, break our pride. We are men. It's OK if they beat me. Beatings don't hurt us, it's just a blow. But no one would want their manhood to be shattered," he said.

"They wanted us to feel as though we were women, the way women feel and this is the worst insult, to feel like a woman," al-Shweiri said.

(snip)

"I hated Saddam so much that when the Americans came, I viewed them as liberators. I was happy and supported them. But soon it became clear that they are no liberators but occupiers," he said. "I had seen how oppressed people were under Saddam and I refused to give in to oppression and injustice. We must fight oppression."


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=2&u=/ap/20040503/ap_on_re_mi_ea/prisoner_abuse

[Christ was Socialist]

1. Only America

could cause Iraq to have been better under sadaam.

[Direckshun]

2. You know, I still disagree with that.

Even though I've already gotten into it with many DUers here about it.

I think that America, on the whole, has behaved borderline-awful in their occupation of Iraq, but it's still better than how it was under Saddam.

Oh well.

[Christ was Socialist]

3. just wait

and remember iran. When they are a brutal repressive theocracy let's see how you feel about the secular sadaam who at least let women have the right to vote, work and get an education. Remember we are on the pace to mill more than sadaam is alleged to have killed. I believe we are nearing 20,000 civillians he killed 200,000 between 1979-2003

[Heyo]

4. I agree with you there.....

This incident was an abomination, it's not policy. I was surprised at how many foreign press outlets forgot to mention the little 'tidbit' that the people who had done this were being arrested and prosecuted. Overall it is getting and will be alot better than Saddam. Shame on the people who did this, shame on them and they should do serious time for it.

Heyo

[Skittles]

6. LOL

WHO ARE YOU KIDDING???? Better than Saddam? IT'S CRAP OVER THERE.

[indie]

5. This is the best example

They could provide of abuse for this article? Give me a break. "to feel like a woman" is worse than beatings and electrocution. I say dress 'em in drag, take pictures, post 'em and get the hell out of there.

[Moderator]

7. No2W2004

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