UN report: torture worse then under Saddam

CSM

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Jul 7, 2004
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Iraq torture 'worse after Saddam'

Allegations of severe torture have regularly emerged from Iraq
Torture may be worse now in Iraq than under former leader Saddam Hussein, the UN's chief anti-torture expert says. Manfred Nowak said the situation in Iraq was "out of control", with abuses being committed by security forces, militia groups and anti-US insurgents.

Bodies found in the Baghdad morgue "often bear signs of severe torture", said the human rights office of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq in a report.

The wounds confirmed reports given by refugees from Iraq, Mr Nowak said.

He told journalists at a briefing in Geneva that he had yet to visit Iraq, but he was able to base his information on autopsies and interviews with Iraqis in neighbouring Jordan.

"What most people tell you is that the situation as far as torture is concerned now in Iraq is totally out of hand," the Austrian law professor said.

"The situation is so bad many people say it is worse than it has been in the times of Saddam Hussein," he added.

Brutal methods

The UN report says detainees' bodies often show signs of beating using electrical cables, wounds in heads and genitals, broken legs and hands, electric and cigarette burns.

Bodies found at the Baghdad mortuary "often bear signs of severe torture including acid-induced injuries and burns caused by chemical substances".

Many bodies have missing skin, broken bones, back, hands and legs, missing eyes, missing teeth and wounds caused by power drills or nails, the UN report says.

Victims come from prisons run by US-led multinational forces as well as by the ministries of interior and defence and private militias, the report said.

The most brutal torture methods were employed by private militias, Mr Nowak told journalists.

The report also says the frequency of sectarian bloodletting means bodies are often found which "bear signs indicating that the victims have been brutally tortured before their extra-judicial execution".

It concludes that torture threatens "the very fabric of the country" as victims exact their own revenge and fuel further violence.

Mr Nowak said he would like to visit Iraq in person, but the current situation would not allow him to prepare an accurate report, because it would not be safe to leave Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone where the Iraqi government and US leadership are situated.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5368360.stm


Please take note of the last paragraph. The guy admits that the report is not accurate but makes statements anyway! The UN is such a waste of money and space!
 
lol@him.

I don't know if torture itself is worse or not, that's something I'd have to find out in person. Making a report in which you admit you don't know 100% if it's completely true or not makes you look like an idiot.
 
Totally strange!

If report only stated that we suspect that there is alot of torturing going on it could spur an investigation. Information where the grade of confidence is given is still information.

Now it becomes stupid. Why compare it to Saddam-era? What is the reason if not to say that USA has made matters worse? So damn silly, childish and counterproductive! The MAIN effort is good! Even if the lowest form of motives where behind it like some people suggest: oil, party politics in Washington or what not. Even then this effort would basicly be good for Iraq.

I hope USA has the (will)power to go all the way through here.

Stuff like this totally undermine the trust...
 
Mr Nowak said he would like to visit Iraq in person, but the current situation would not allow him to prepare an accurate report, because it would not be safe to leave Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone where the Iraqi government and US leadership are situated.

I am NOT amazed they chose to go ahead and run this piece, even with that last disclaimer.....

Pure propaganda......
You shouldn't expect anything less from the BBC....

Hey, if there are people out there who want to believe it, so be it......
Heck, we have enough of our own people here in the United States who buy into this.......:poke:
 
I am NOT amazed they chose to go ahead and run this piece, even with that last disclaimer.....

Pure propaganda......
You shouldn't expect anything less from the BBC....

Hey, if their are people out there who want to believe it, so be it......

And if it is true it now lacks credibility, which is even worse!
 
It took me a couple of time's reading your above post....

But I finally got it..I think?

Why write about it, if you don't have first hand, right?

Damn, I am expressing myself poorley sometimes!

Well, if you report something based on information you have got, and state what information you would need to have a complete picture it could fill a purpose. (Poeple might actually investigate properly).

But this package that is delivered now is just desinformation ment to cause reactions of disappointment or anger.

If there was any substance to this no one belives it anyway now, so it works against its purpose. (Although i don't think the purpose actually was the wellbeing of Iraqies)
 
Damn, I am expressing myself poorley sometimes!

Well, if you report something based on information you have got, and state what information you would need to have a complete picture it could fill a purpose. (Poeple might actually investigate properly).

But this package that is delivered now is just desinformation ment to cause reactions of disappointment or anger.

If there was any substance to this no one belives it anyway now, so it works against its purpose. (Although i don't think the purpose actually was the wellbeing of Iraqies)

Erik, I'm trying to Pm you...But I'm having a hard time...
I will continue trying......
 
Damn, I am expressing myself poorly sometimes!

Well, if you report something based on information you have got, and state what information you would need to have a complete picture it could fill a purpose. (People might actually investigate properly).

But this package that is delivered now is just desinformation meant to cause reactions of disappointment or anger.

If there was any substance to this no one believes it anyway now, so it works against its purpose. (Although i don't think the purpose actually was the wellbeing of Iraqis)

I am so disgusted with the Media of our time's.......
I hope that everyone else sees through the lies and propaganda of our mass media of today....
Call me paranoid....But I keep reflecting back to the Communist 1963 manifesto...

Take over all school institutions.....
Take over all media......:shocked1:
 
I am so disgusted with the Media of our time's.......
I hope that everyone else sees through the lies and propaganda of our mass media of today....
Call me paranoid....But I keep reflecting back to the Communist 1963 manifesto...

Take over all school institutions.....
Take over all media......:shocked1:

Sadly enough not all people can filter through media. I am frequently tricked myself. I find it much easier to accept things I want to be true as true.
 

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