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Amnesty calls for abuse probe

Amnesty International yesterday renewed its call for the US to set up a thorough, independent investigation of the abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, in Afghanistan and at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

The organization denied that it was seeking to influence the US presidential election with its 200-page report, but expressed disappointment that the issue had not been prominent in the campaign.

"We feel that this is the last chance to get it on the agenda of the candidates," Amnesty International spokeswoman Theresa Richardson said in London.

"This is not an attempt to influence the election, but clearly it is an issue of such importance that we felt should be on the agendas of both presidential candidates."

Richardson added that six months had passed since the photographs from Abu Ghraib were first shown on US television. "It's taken this long for us to pull this report together," she said.

The organization noted it had first called in May for an independent investigation, perhaps by the US Congress.

The report called for a commission with subpoena powers and full access to secret information and agencies. To insure impartiality, the commission should include international experts, it said.

Short of such a full inquiry, Amnesty International urged the US government to unequivocally condemn torture and ban it by legislation, ensure access to prisoners, abolish secret detentions, ratify relevant international treaties and pay reparations to victims.

"Although ... military investigations have shown that alleged US abuses have not been confined either to Abu Ghraib or to a few soldiers, there remains a need for a full commission of inquiry that takes a genuinely comprehensive and independent look at the USA's `war on terror' detention and interrogation policies and procedures, and examines the activities of all government agencies and all levels of government," the report said.

"Full accountability is crucial."

Three US soldiers have been sentenced to prison terms of between eight months and eight years for abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib. Two more soldiers are due to stand trial early next year.

However, the highest-ranking soldier indicted so far is Staff Sergeant Ivan "Chip" Frederick, who received the eight year sentence. No senior officers have been charged so far, although several have received letters of reprimand or were relieved of command.

In a report that drew heavily on investigations already undertaken by the US, Amnesty accused the US of tolerating abuses of prisoners in its war on terror and falling short of the standards it routinely applies in criticizing other governments.

"The photographs of torture and ill-treatment of detainees in Abu Ghraib prison did not come out of the blue, but followed numerous allegations of abuse in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay raised with the US authorities over the previous two years by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Amnesty International and others," Amnesty International said.
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