US is holding 17,000 men and women in deplorable conditions

[NNN0LHI]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - US and Iraqi forces are holding a record 17,000 men and women -- most without being formally charged -- and those in Iraqi-controlled jails live often in deplorable conditions.

About two-thirds are locked up as "security detainees" without any formal charges in US-run facilities, Lieutenant Colonel Guy Rudisill, the US military spokesman for Iraqi detention operations, told AFP.


The rest are incarcerated in Iraqi-run jails in conditions that fall well below any international standard and are in dire need of reform, said Bakhtiar Amin, Iraq's outgoing human rights minister.


"None of the Iraqi detention centres meet international standards for cleanliness, food and the treatment of prisoners. Neither are the buildings up to standard. We have asked for international help." snip

Rudisill said that before the Abu Ghraib scandal, the previous high for detainees was about 8,000.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050410/wl_mideast_afp/iraqusprisoners&cid=1514&ncid=1473

[okcitykid]

1. Its awful

When I was in the military, I was questioned several times concerning proper treatment of prisoners, they sent you to school and made you sign a page 13 entry making sure you understood. That was in 1989, not that long ago. Now when the real thing happens, they're doing everything we were taught never to do.

[newyawker99]

2. Hi okcitykid!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[indepat]

3. Is not this the true neocon meaning of freedom, liberty, and democracy?