Pentagon Acknowledges Eight Afghan Detainee Deaths

http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7080705

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eight detainees have died in American military custody in Afghanistan, more than previously reported, the Pentagon said on Monday, while a human rights group assailed a U.S. "culture of impunity" on prisoner abuse.

New York-based Human Rights Watch complained in a letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that in most instances, the Pentagon has launched criminal probes into detainee deaths in Afghanistan only after cases get media attention, and that these probes have proceeded slowly and in excessive secrecy.

"The government's failure to hold its personnel accountable for serious abuses has spawned a culture of impunity among some personnel. And as you know, some of the personnel involved in earlier abuses in Afghanistan have now been implicated in later abuses in Iraq," the letter stated.

"It's time for the United States to come clean about crimes committed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan," added Brad Adams, Asia Division director for Human Rights Watch.

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</sarcasm>

We quietly admit to our atrocities and all is forgiven.

Vol. 5 Num 200 Wed. December 15, 2004

International



US Army acknowledges 8 deaths of Afghans in military custody
AFP, Washington

The US Army acknowleged Monday that eight prisoners have died in US military custody in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled the Taliban regime, two more than previously disclosed.
The Pentagon released a list of the death cases investigated in Afghanistan after Human Rights Watch sent a letter to US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld demanding that the United States "get serious about prosecuting people implicated in prisoner deaths and mistreatment."

Investigations in at least three of the deaths are still ongoing, according to the list drawn up by Chris Grey, spokesman for the US Army Criminal Investigation Command.

Previously unreported cases included the death in November 2003 of an individual identified as A. Wahid.

"CID investigation closed and completed report forward to command," the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) statement said. "Case involved other than US personnel, and Afghan law enforcement officials have been notified."
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http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/12/15/d41215130393.htm