Menu
23/08/2004
UN slams 'inhuman' conditions of Afghan jail
Prisoners are being abused in Afghan jails and conditions for some inmates "violate every standard of human rights", according to the UN.
The UN Independent Expert on Afghanistan denounced the "inhuman" practices at Pul-e-Charkhi prison and demanded answers from the US on prisoner releases.
Professor Cherif Bassiouni visited the prison to probe the wellbeing of a group of 725 out of some 3,200 persons originally detained by the Northern alliance – “and apparently some US forces were involved” – who then were transferred to the jail under the authority of the government. Around 350 of the detainees are of Pakistani origin.
The detention of the group, Mr Bassiouni said, is illegal because the suspects were arrested as combatants and are therefore prisoners of war.
“Every government official I have discussed this matter with has agreed that there's no legal basis for their detention, and everyone has said that they should be released,” he said.
“There are allegations that the US authorities ask that they continue to be kept in detention. I have protested this situation with the appropriate government officials and I will continue to do so,” the professor added.
The UN official also raised the issue of US forces holding between 300 and 400 detainees in Kandahar and Bagram – saying that a lack of transparency from the authorities had raised "serious concerns" about the legality of detention as well as the condition of those detentions.
Mr Bassiouni also said women tried and sentenced by tribal councils for “social and alleged moral violations but not legal violations", amounted to "modern slavery".
(gmcg)
The UN Independent Expert on Afghanistan denounced the "inhuman" practices at Pul-e-Charkhi prison and demanded answers from the US on prisoner releases.
Professor Cherif Bassiouni visited the prison to probe the wellbeing of a group of 725 out of some 3,200 persons originally detained by the Northern alliance – “and apparently some US forces were involved” – who then were transferred to the jail under the authority of the government. Around 350 of the detainees are of Pakistani origin.
The detention of the group, Mr Bassiouni said, is illegal because the suspects were arrested as combatants and are therefore prisoners of war.
“Every government official I have discussed this matter with has agreed that there's no legal basis for their detention, and everyone has said that they should be released,” he said.
“There are allegations that the US authorities ask that they continue to be kept in detention. I have protested this situation with the appropriate government officials and I will continue to do so,” the professor added.
The UN official also raised the issue of US forces holding between 300 and 400 detainees in Kandahar and Bagram – saying that a lack of transparency from the authorities had raised "serious concerns" about the legality of detention as well as the condition of those detentions.
Mr Bassiouni also said women tried and sentenced by tribal councils for “social and alleged moral violations but not legal violations", amounted to "modern slavery".
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 April 2006
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown. The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown. The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
06 January 2005
Probe into allegations of abuse at Guantanamo Bay
A new investigation is to be held into allegations of abuse at the US military detention centre at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The US Defense Department announced the move following the publication of documents from the FBI suggesting that there were concerns about the treatment of prisoners in the detention centre.
Probe into allegations of abuse at Guantanamo Bay
A new investigation is to be held into allegations of abuse at the US military detention centre at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The US Defense Department announced the move following the publication of documents from the FBI suggesting that there were concerns about the treatment of prisoners in the detention centre.
09 May 2011
Home Detention Curfew Effect Examined
A report highlighting evidence that suggests offenders who receive Home Detention Curfew (HDC) under the current provision, are no more likely to engage in criminal behaviour when released from prison, when compared to offenders with similar characteristics, who are not eligible for HDC.
Home Detention Curfew Effect Examined
A report highlighting evidence that suggests offenders who receive Home Detention Curfew (HDC) under the current provision, are no more likely to engage in criminal behaviour when released from prison, when compared to offenders with similar characteristics, who are not eligible for HDC.
08 July 2008
Lords Debate Splits House
As the Government's controversial 42-day detention Bill is debated in the House of Lords later today, previous support for Gordon Brown's make-or-break Bill in the Commons by Northern Ireland's biggest party, the DUP, is again underling the fractious nature of its relationship with fellow unionists.
Lords Debate Splits House
As the Government's controversial 42-day detention Bill is debated in the House of Lords later today, previous support for Gordon Brown's make-or-break Bill in the Commons by Northern Ireland's biggest party, the DUP, is again underling the fractious nature of its relationship with fellow unionists.
19 June 2008
Detainees Escape Oxfordshire Detention Centre
Four immigration detainees have escaped an Oxfordshire centre overnight. Police hunting the fugitives have closed a road leading to Campsfield House in Kidlington and are searching the area. A Home Office spokesman said that seven detainees had managed to escape but three had been recaptured.
Detainees Escape Oxfordshire Detention Centre
Four immigration detainees have escaped an Oxfordshire centre overnight. Police hunting the fugitives have closed a road leading to Campsfield House in Kidlington and are searching the area. A Home Office spokesman said that seven detainees had managed to escape but three had been recaptured.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
