Iraq torture 'worse after Saddam'

[William]

Iraq torture 'worse after Saddam'

Allegations of severe torture have regularly emerged from Iraq

Torture may be worse now in Iraq than under former leader Saddam Hussein, the UN's chief anti-torture expert says.
Manfred Nowak said the situation in Iraq was "out of control", with abuses being committed by security forces, militia groups and anti-US insurgents.
Bodies found in the Baghdad morgue "often bear signs of severe torture", said the human rights office of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq in a report.
The wounds confirmed reports given by refugees from Iraq, Mr Nowak said.
He told journalists at a briefing in Geneva that he had yet to visit Iraq, but he was able to base his information on autopsies and interviews with Iraqis in neighbouring Jordan.
"What most people tell you is that the situation as far as torture is concerned now in Iraq is totally out of hand," the Austrian law professor said.
"The situation is so bad many people say it is worse than it has been in the times of Saddam Hussein," he added.
Brutal methods
The UN report says detainees' bodies often show signs of beating using electrical cables, wounds in heads and genitals, broken legs and hands, electric and cigarette burns.
Bodies found at the Baghdad mortuary "often bear signs of severe torture including acid-induced injuries and burns caused by chemical substances".
Many bodies have missing skin, broken bones, back, hands and legs, missing eyes, missing teeth and wounds caused by power drills or nails, the UN report says.
Victims come from prisons run by US-led multinational forces as well as by the ministries of interior and defence and private militias, the report said.
The most brutal torture methods were employed by private militias, Mr Nowak told journalists.
The report also says the frequency of sectarian bloodletting means bodies are often found which "bear signs indicating that the victims have been brutally tortured before their extra-judicial execution". It concludes that torture threatens "the very fabric of the country" as victims exact their own revenge and fuel further violence. Mr Nowak said he would like to visit Iraq in person, but the current situation would not allow him to prepare an accurate report, because it would not be safe to leave Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone where the Iraqi government and US leadership are situated.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iraq torture 'worse after Saddam'

[Whiteshiva]

But at least the Iraqies will not dare to attack New York again, right....?

[man with no head]

Clearly the world needs to invade the United States to stop the killing of civilians in Iraq under U.S. occupation.

[KID]

READ the article, most of the atrocities are being committed by the Iraqis,against the Iraqis

[Itchy]

More BS Claims.

Like how does anyone know if it is worse? Sadam didn't exactly invite the world's press to have a look and report what he was up to.

[Mhz]

Why was Saddam being branded a cruel leader and stuff like that??

because he used to torture people and hold them without charge. Now is there any difference??

[man with no head]

But we're there to save the Iraqis from....oh, wait, nevermind.

Iraqis dead since 2003 due to United States' occupation: 100,000+

Iraqis dead during Saddam's 23 year reign: 300,000-500,000

CNN.com - Study puts Iraqi toll at 100,000 - Oct 29, 2004

[raycarey]

saddam is murderous scum, and he belongs in the hague...not lampooning the judges in that kangaroo court in baghdad.

is there any doubt that the killings propelled by the US invasion will easily surpass saddam's numbers in a fraction of the time?

[Mhz]

^ It seems so.

[Storekeeper]

saddam is murderous scum, and he belongs in the hague...not lampooning the judges in that kangaroo court in baghdad.

Still, you were happy enough to just let it be and let him keep on keeping on. You're a total freak my man.

[raycarey]

another lie from sk. are you going for a personal record today?

because of your 30 years of military indoctrination (and quite frankly, limited intellect) you seem unable to grasp the point that the majority of the world and more than half of the american public are of the opinion that saddam was a tyrant, but they take issue with the way the invasion and occupation were carried out.

[stroller]

The point is, that one needs to be pretty sure that the situation will be improved before taken extreme measures such as invading a country. It was an incredible arrogance and hybris of the US and Brit governments to march in there contrary to expert advice and without any longterm plans.

Making up one's mind as to the reasons to invade beforehand, rather than making it up along the way, also helps to build credibility. Remember, it was all about WMD and supposed "nucelar" capability to start with?

[man with no head]

No, it was about 'liberating' the Iraqis from Saddam's terror (only to unleash something worse while we do nothing to stop it). The irony.

Or, was the excuse #39 out of the top 100 excuses used to invade Iraq? I've lost track now.