HRW calls US to end illegal detention practices in Iraq

Human Rights Watch (HRW) organization called the United Nations Security Council to address serious concern about the practices of the US-led Multi-National Force-Iraq against Iraqi detainees.

HRW accused the United States of invoking the Security Council resolutions to justify its practices which do not meet with international standards.

Adding in its letter to the council members that thousands of Iraqis are arrested for indefinite periods without judicial review, and under military processes.

HRW expressed its great concern about the widespread torture of detainees by the Iraqi authorities as well.

Adding that the US should retain physical custody over individuals formally transferred to the Iraqi justice system for prosecution, calling the US to allow the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), as well as independent Iraqi and international human rights observers, to visit its detention facilities and make their findings public.

“The Security Council should insist that the United States abide by international law for persons detained,” said Joe Stork, Middle East deputy director at Human Rights Watch. Adding, “The Bush administration pushed the Security Council to declare that the US-led occupation of Iraq had ended in June 2004, and the end of occupation means that international human rights standards apply judicial review, access to legal counsel and family members, and a fair trial.”

Human Rights Watch said that the Security Council mandate, forming the basis for the US military presence in Iraq, and the US-Iraqi negotiations concerning the post-2008 status-of-force agreement, should establish a legal basis for detention by non-Iraqi forces that meets the international human rights commitments of both the Iraqi and US governments.

According to the UNAMI, the US-led Multi-National Force in Iraq was holding 24, 514 detainees at the end of 2007.