Up to 60% of the estimated 12,000 detainees in the country's prisons and military compounds face intimidation, beatings or torture that leads to broken bones and sometimes death, said Saad Sultan, head of a board overseeing the treatment of prisoners at the Human Rights Ministry. He added that police and security forces attached to the Interior Ministry are responsible for most abuses.
Improved justice system since Saddam??
Full Version: Ahh, the Iraqi Democracy at work....
It is very disturbing how quickly every story about torture by US forces, or those operating on our behalf, is compared to the Saddam era, or some other gruesome event in history.
It seems the more we learn the lower our standards have to fall to justify our actions.
Undoubtedly this latest revelation will be followed by loud portrayals of how awful some other torturer has been. No responsibility.
It seems the more we learn the lower our standards have to fall to justify our actions.
Undoubtedly this latest revelation will be followed by loud portrayals of how awful some other torturer has been. No responsibility.
Silly, don't you know in the new Bush world of logic, two wrongs DO make a right...says so right in the Bible!
Another important aspect of democracies is the justice system. It appears the Bush adminsitration may be delaying the trial of Saddam Hussein. From the Guardian:
Iraqi: U.S. Delaying Saddam Interrogations
You would think they would want it done quickly so that whatever he knows could die with him in an execution. But now it seems a quick execution might not serve their interests.
It will be interesting to see what does come out of this trial. It may not change any minds, but history will be better served if the facts become more public now rather than later.
Iraqi: U.S. Delaying Saddam Interrogations
QUOTE
Iraq's justice minister accused the United States on Tuesday of trying to hinder the Iraqi investigation of Saddam Hussein by limiting his access to interrogators, and said ``it seems there are lots of secrets they want to hide.''
Justice Minister Abdel Hussein Shandal also told The Associated Press he was confident investigators would wrap up the case against Saddam by the end of the year, underlining the Iraqi government's determination to try the ousted leader soon - though Shandal acknowledged he himself has no say in the timing of the trial.
In response, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said ``the United States views the trials of Iraqi officials as a process that is under the authority of the Iraqi government, and will proceed according to decisions that the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Special Tribunal make.
``That's what's going to determine the pace and timing of this process, not the United States government,'' Ereli said in Washington.
The Americans privately have urged caution about rushing into a trial, saying Iraq must develop a good court and judicial system - one of the main topics of discussion at an international conference on Iraq that was to begin Wednesday in Brussels.
U.S. officials say there are also concerns a trial could interfere with the important process of writing a constitution and inflame sectarian tension. The Iraqi government must finish a draft by mid-August so it can hold a referendum on the charter ahead of December elections for a full-term government.
I would like to believe that there are only legitimate reasons for the Bush administration to want this trial not to occur right now. But previous experience suggests otherwise.Justice Minister Abdel Hussein Shandal also told The Associated Press he was confident investigators would wrap up the case against Saddam by the end of the year, underlining the Iraqi government's determination to try the ousted leader soon - though Shandal acknowledged he himself has no say in the timing of the trial.
In response, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said ``the United States views the trials of Iraqi officials as a process that is under the authority of the Iraqi government, and will proceed according to decisions that the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Special Tribunal make.
``That's what's going to determine the pace and timing of this process, not the United States government,'' Ereli said in Washington.
The Americans privately have urged caution about rushing into a trial, saying Iraq must develop a good court and judicial system - one of the main topics of discussion at an international conference on Iraq that was to begin Wednesday in Brussels.
U.S. officials say there are also concerns a trial could interfere with the important process of writing a constitution and inflame sectarian tension. The Iraqi government must finish a draft by mid-August so it can hold a referendum on the charter ahead of December elections for a full-term government.
You would think they would want it done quickly so that whatever he knows could die with him in an execution. But now it seems a quick execution might not serve their interests.
It will be interesting to see what does come out of this trial. It may not change any minds, but history will be better served if the facts become more public now rather than later.
I expect anyday now to hear that Saddam has died of "natural causes" in his jail cell.
The U.S. position (if you can call it that) on this seems to be, "Yes, we will let the Iraqis try him...but not so fast." Very frustrating.
Maybe this is why they are worried...
First Question: President Hussein, where did you get the weapons that you ordered to be used on the Kurds?
President Hussein: I got them from Donald Rumsfeld and The United States.
Ch-ching!
The U.S. position (if you can call it that) on this seems to be, "Yes, we will let the Iraqis try him...but not so fast." Very frustrating.
Maybe this is why they are worried...
First Question: President Hussein, where did you get the weapons that you ordered to be used on the Kurds?
President Hussein: I got them from Donald Rumsfeld and The United States.
Ch-ching!
Maybe that's why they are fattening him up on Cheetos and Doritos...hmmm, death through junk food!
Now it looks like Iraqi policemen are systematically torturing and assassinating Sunni Iraqis. But hey, it's not a civil war....
Knight-Ridder Washington: Sunni men in Baghdad targeted by attackers in police uniforms
Knight-Ridder Washington: Sunni men in Baghdad targeted by attackers in police uniforms
Guess GWB was right. Iraqi troops are being trained to take over and apparently learning their lessons quite well. Looks like democracy will soon be safe in Iraq.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sportinlife:
I would like to believe that there are only legitimate reasons for the Bush administration to want this trial not to occur right now. But previous experience suggests otherwise.
I'm cynical enough to believe that they're delaying the trial so that they can convict Saddam just before the 2006 elections. It would probably help the Repubs keep control of the House and Senate.
I would like to believe that there are only legitimate reasons for the Bush administration to want this trial not to occur right now. But previous experience suggests otherwise.
I'm cynical enough to believe that they're delaying the trial so that they can convict Saddam just before the 2006 elections. It would probably help the Repubs keep control of the House and Senate.
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