Archive for May 8, 2004

Physical and sexual abuse of prisoners, similar to what has been uncovered in Iraq, takes place in American prisons with little public knowledge or concern, according to corrections officials, inmates and human rights advocates.

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

Thanks to Press Action for their selection of the Angry Arab News Service. (thanks Kyle)

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

Five-hundred Iraqis from across the political spectrum have been taking part in a Baghdad conference to discuss opposition to the US-led occupation. (thanks Marina)

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

Following is an open letter to Bush from the leadership at: – Amnesty International USA – Global Rights – Human Rights First – Human Rights Watch – International League for Human Rights – Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights – Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights – Physicians for Human Rights – RFK [...]

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

Initial word from the military about ‘detainee abuse’ in Iraq appeared in a single paragraph on a little-consulted website and in e-mails Jan. 16. (thanks Julie)

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

In April 2003, the Defense Department approved interrogation techniques for use at the Guantanamo Bay prison that permit reversing the normal sleep patterns of detainees and exposing them to heat, cold and “sensory assault,” including loud music and bright lights, according to defense officials.

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

“Deep divisions are emerging at the top of the U.S. military over the course of the occupation of Iraq, with some senior officers beginning to say that the United States faces the prospect of casualties for years without achieving its goal of establishing a free and democratic Iraq. Their major worry is that the United [...]

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

Palestinian detainees who tried to greet their families in a military courtroom were set upon and beaten by Israeli police guards, their lawyers say.

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

“A Palestinian doctor in Libya who was sentenced this week to die by firing squad for deliberately infecting hundreds of babies with Aids was so badly tortured by Libyan police that his father could no longer recognise him, The Independent on Sunday has learnt.” You will not hear protests against the human rights violations by [...]

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

Ariel Dorfman: “Make no mistake: every regime that tortures does so in the name of salvation, some superior goal, some promise of paradise. Call it communism, call it the free market, call it the free world, call it the national interest, call it fascism, call it the leader, call it civilisation, call it the service [...]

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad

An American general recommended that Army prison guards in Iraq become more involved in “softening up” prisoners for interrogations shortly before abuses occurred at the Abu Ghraib prison last fall, according to an internal report at the heart of the controversy.

Posted on May 8, 2004 by As'ad