Amnesty in torture warning over transfer of Iraqi detainees

Nov 28, 2008, 11:03 GMT

London - Amnesty International has warned that Iraqi detainees held by US forces would be at risk of torture, or even execution, if they were handed over to the Iraqi authorities following approval of the security agreement with the US.

Under the agreement, around 16,000 prisoners held by the US would be transferred to Iraqi custody, according to an Amnesty statement released in London Friday.

'The Status of Forces Agreement does not provide any safeguards whatsoever for prisoners transferred to Iraqi custody,' said Malcolm Smart, Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Programme.

'These prisoners will potentially be moving from the frying pan into the fire,' he warned.

'We receive persistent reports of gross human rights violations including torture taking place in Iraqi prisons and detention centres,' Smart said.

The US should ensure that no one was transferred to Iraqi custody if they faced a real risk of torture or other human rights violations.

Already, the Iraqi authorities were holding thousands of people, many without charge or trial, and often in appalling conditions, Amnesty said.

'We need to see evidence that there is systematic improvement.'