UN official urges probe of detention sites
Cites increase in prisoners
GENEVA -- The top UN human rights official called yesterday for an international investigation into the condition of detainees in Iraq, responding to the recent discovery of Interior Ministry prisoners showing signs of torture.
''In light of the apparently systemic nature and magnitude of that problem, and the importance of public confidence in any inquiry, I urge authorities to consider calling for an international inquiry," said Louise Arbour, the UN high commissioner for human rights.
The Iraqi government ''acknowledged the problem" by promising to investigate detention facilities across the country, Arbour said, adding that it was not enough.
''There is much international concern and interest in the situation in Iraq," she said.
Earlier this week, US troops found up to 173 malnourished detainees -- some showing signs of torture -- in an Interior Ministry building in Baghdad's Jadriyah district. Most were believed to be Sunni Arabs, the main group in the insurgency.
A leader of a major Sunni party, Tariq al-Hashimi, told Iraq's Sharqiyah television that his group had submitted 50 complaints of prisoner abuse to the government, ''but we did not receive a timely response."
Iraqi Interior Minister Bayn Jabr, a Shi'ite, said torture claims were exaggerated.
Prominent Sunni Arabs have complained for months about abuse by Interior Ministry forces, whom they contend have been infiltrated by Shi'ite militias. The Sunnis have called for an international investigation after the Jadriyah detainees were found.
On Thursday, the United States warned Iraqi officials against allowing Shi'ite militias a role in the security services. The Baghdad government denies the militia allegations.
Arbour's office said it was ready to offer its expertise but did not want to define the type of inquiry and who should conduct it.
''We are not giving an exact prescription on how the probe should be conducted or by whom," said her spokesman, Jose Luis Diaz. ''But it is important that an inquiry not only be impartial but be seen by the Iraqi people as impartial."
Such an investigation could be a joint international undertaking in which Arbour's office could work with others, Diaz said.
Arbour said the large number of detainees in Iraq also was ''a matter of worry." Overall, the number of prisoners has continued to increase because of mass arrests carried out during security and military operations, Arbour said, citing a recent UN report.
''There is an urgent need to provide remedy to lengthy internment for security reasons without adequate judicial oversight," she said. 