|
|
| Torture in Afghanistan common, says US report |
|
| OTTAWA (Agencies): Torture and other serious abuses remain commonplace in Afghanistan prisons, says the US State Department’s 2009 report on Afghan human rights.
“Human rights organizations report local authorities tortured and abused detainees. Torture and abuse methods included ... beating by stick, scorching bar or iron bar, flogging by cable, battering by rod, electric shock, deprivation of sleep, water and food, abusive language, sexual humiliation and rape,” says the report.
The 25-page report, available on the department’s website, comes at a time when the Canadian government is refusing to release documents that opposition critics say may shed light on how much Canadian officials knew between 2005-07 of allegations of torture and abuse of prisoners they handed over to Afghan officials.
Conservative cabinet ministers, government officials and military brass have argued there were no credible allegations of torture, despite information such as current and previous reports from the US State Department.
NDP defence critic MP Jack Harris said it was sad to think the US government openly provides information on torture while the federal government refuses to even release independent human rights reports, citing confidentiality.
“They should be public documents just the like the Americans’ are ...,” Harris said.
Stuart Hendin, a University of Ottawa expert on armed conflict and human rights law, said the US report is clear that Afghan detention centres are fraught with problems, “and it is difficult to comprehend why the US State Department can make that finding and somehow our military leadership seems to take the position there were no problems.”
The Conservatives have appointed retired Supreme Court judge Frank Iacobucci to vet secret documents to determine what can be released, but the government is defying a Commons order to turn them over in the meantime. |
|
|