Demand Investigation of Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners by U.S. Military
- by: Emily R. Anderson
- recipient: Theo van Boven Special Rapporteur, of the Commission on Human Rights on the question of torture; President George Bush
In his weekly radio address, President Bush recently declared: "One year later, despite many challenges, life for the Iraqi people is a world away from the cruelty and corruption of Saddam's regime." Yet we are now beginning to learn that life for Iraqi prisoners under U.S. military rule involves torture, abuse, and humiliation.
Amnesty International has uncovered a "pattern of torture" of Iraqi prisoners by coalition troops, and has called for an independent investigation into these abuse claims. While President Bush has vowed that any soldier found to be guilty of abuse will be punished, and several soldiers have recently received administrative "reprimands," piecemeal punishments are not enough. Even worse, a report by U.S. Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba suggests that as many as 60% or more of the Iraqi prisoners may be civilians who have done nothing wrong. This torture and abuse at the hands of the U.S. and coalition forces is systemic, and demands a high-level, independent investigation.
It is clear that the U.S. government and military are not taking this issue seriously enough, and the world community needs to speak up now and demand change. Sign this petition to call for an international, independent, and public investigation of these abuses at all levels of the U.S. military.
Dear President Bush and Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the question of torture Theo van Boven:
I am deeply troubled by what I am hearing and seeing concerning alleged torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. and Coalition forces. Human rights should be of paramount importance to the United States and the Coalition in Iraq, and any reports of torture, humiliation, and abuse must be taken extremely seriously.
[Your comments for the United Nations and President Bush]
Amnesty International has uncovered a "pattern of torture" of Iraqi prisoners by coalition troops, and has called for an independent investigation into these abuse claims. I call on the United States and the United Nations to launch an independent, international, public investigation into these allegations.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
