U.S. to handover Bagram prison to Afghanistan

Source: Guardian News

March 25, 2013
U.S. to handover Bagram prison to Afghanistan
Emma Graham-Harrison

Washington move leaves Britain as the only foreign power now jailing Afghans in their own country

Washington has sealed plans for the much-delayed handover of the last Afghan prisoners it holds on Afghan soil, removing a major irritant to ties with Kabul and leaving the United Kingdom as the only foreign power still jailing Afghans in their own country.

Britain halted transfers to Afghan jails over torture concerns, and after Monday’s ceremony to give Afghanistan full control of the Bagram prison, could face greater pressure from Afghan president Hamid Karzai over that stance.

The Afghan leader has long been an outspoken opponent of foreign-run jails that he sees as a serious violation of national sovereignty, but until now had focused most of his attention and political firepower on getting US forces to relinquish their huge prison near Kabul.

Dozens of detainees captured by the British military may be his next target. The men have been in legal limbo in a Helmand prison since the high court blocked a determined attempt by the Ministry of Defence to transfer them to Afghan jails, when evidence was presented that they could face torture there.




Read more: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/us-to-handover-bagram-prison-to-afghanistan/article4546636.ece