Government concern over Iraqi torture claims
The government has expressed concern at reports that UK aid has been misused by Iraqi security forces to abuse detainees.
The Observer claims that money provided by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply the Iraqi police with guns, ammunition and body armour has been diverted to commando units accused of human rights abuses, including torture.
The paper also claims that the commandos, operating out of Iraq’s Ministry of the Interior, have established a secret network of detention centres and says it has seen photos of post-mortem examinations showing evidence of abuse against alleged terror suspects.
Allegations of abuse cited by The Observer include burning, strangulation, sexual abuse, hanging by the arms and the breaking of limbs. In one case an electric drill was reportedly used to knee-cap a prisoner.
Responding to the allegations, the MoD said it would press Iraq’s government to investigate reports that Iraqi detainees were being abused.
“As soon as we became aware of these allegations we raised them with the Iraqi government at the highest levels in Baghdad and Basra,” said an MoD spokesman.
“We hope and expect them to investigate abuse allegations promptly, prosecute those suspected of abuse and punish those found guilty, regardless of rank or background and take measures to prevent recurrence.”
“As a sovereign state, the matters are for the Iraqi government and the Iraqi police service to deal with. Multi-national forces condemn all illegal activity and would expect the Iraqi police to do the same,” the spokesman added.
The Foreign Office said it was “deeply concerned” about reports of detainee abuse.
“We are aware and deeply concerned by reports of detainee abuse by Iraqi police officers and of men in police uniforms committing serious crimes, whether these men are genuine policemen or not.
“Any abuse of detainees is unacceptable,” a spokesman for the department said.
Since the end of the Iraq war, the MoD has spent £27 million on aid to help equip the Iraqi security forces.
