Saturday, May 29, 2004
Quote of the Moment:
"It's time to fight dirty".
Title of an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, in which Michael Ignatieff of Harvard University argues that the US should legalise some forms of 'coercive interrogation' such as sleep deprivation or keeping prisoners in hoods to disorient them, as well as indefinite detention of suspects, assassinations, and 'pre-emptive war'.
"It's time to fight dirty".
Title of an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, in which Michael Ignatieff of Harvard University argues that the US should legalise some forms of 'coercive interrogation' such as sleep deprivation or keeping prisoners in hoods to disorient them, as well as indefinite detention of suspects, assassinations, and 'pre-emptive war'.
A refugee who has been the sole inmate at a detention centre for 10 months has won the right to come to Australia.
The Immigration Department has kept Aladdin Sisalem as the only detainee at Manus Island detention centre for 10 months, costing approximately $23,000 a day.
However, an Immigration Department spokesman confirmed that the centre, which cost $4.3 million to run over a six-month period, would remain open once it becomes empty.
(Source: The Age)
The Immigration Department has kept Aladdin Sisalem as the only detainee at Manus Island detention centre for 10 months, costing approximately $23,000 a day.
However, an Immigration Department spokesman confirmed that the centre, which cost $4.3 million to run over a six-month period, would remain open once it becomes empty.
(Source: The Age)
Quote of the Moment:
"Politically motivated gay bashing".
Labor Party backbencher Tanya Plibersek, on the government's plan to change the Marriage Act to guarantee against same-sex unions. The Labor Party is however supporting the change.
"Politically motivated gay bashing".
Labor Party backbencher Tanya Plibersek, on the government's plan to change the Marriage Act to guarantee against same-sex unions. The Labor Party is however supporting the change.
Friday, May 28, 2004
Quote of the Moment:
"to provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons [age 18--26] in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes."
The Universal National Service Act, currently before a committee of the US Congress.
"to provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons [age 18--26] in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes."
The Universal National Service Act, currently before a committee of the US Congress.
The Pentagon has investigated 37 deaths involving detainees held by American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan since December 2002.
Among the prisoner deaths, nine are still being investigated as possible homicides, eight by the military and at least one by the Justice Department because it apparently involved only CIA personnel.
In a 10th case, a soldier was punished and dismissed from the Army for using excessive force after shooting to death a man in Iraq who was throwing rocks at him in September 2003.
The nine prisoner homicides apparently still under investigation are:
Abdul Jaleel, 46, who died January 9, 2004, at Forward Operating Base Rifles near Al Asad, Iraq. He died of "blunt force injuries and asphyxia."
Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush, a former commander of Saddam Hussein's air defenses, who died November 26, 2003, during interrogation at Qaim, Iraq. His death may have involved a CIA officer who is an interrogator. Doctors attributed his death to "asphyxia due to smothering and chest compression."
Manadel Al-Jamadi, who was being held at Abu Ghraib, the Iraqi prison in which the widely-reported abuse of prisoners took place. He died November 4, 2003, death of "blunt force injuries complicated by compromised respiration," doctors said. Two CIA personnel, an officer and a contract translator, were present when he died, and the agency and Justice Department are conducting inquiries.
Abdul Wali, a prisoner at Asadabad, Afghanistan, who died June 21, 2003. The CIA's inspector general is conducting an inquiry into this death; it is unclear whether the Army still is.
Dilar Dababa, who was being held near Baghdad. He died June 13, 2003, of what doctors determined was a head injury.
An Afghan listed only as Dilawar, 22, held at Bagram, who died December 10, 2002. Doctors attributed his death to "blunt force injuries to lower extremities complicating coronary artery disease."
Mullah Habibullah, about 28, an Afghan held at Bagram, who died December 3, 2002. Doctors attributed his death to "pulmonary embolism due to blunt force injuries to the legs."
Two additional deaths of unidentified prisoners, at least one of which occurred in Iraq.
Military death certificates released Friday by the Pentagon also attribute two more deaths to "medical homicide," which means that the person died in connection with the actions or influence of another person. It does not necessarily mean a crime occurred. It was unclear whether these deaths are being criminally investigated.
They are:
Fahin Ali Gumaa, 44, who died in Baghdad on April 28, 2004, several days after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.
Abdul Wahid, who died Nov. 6, 2003, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His death is attributed to multiple blunt force injuries that were complicated by a muscle condition.
The military also released the death certificate of prisoner Nagem Sadoon Hatab, a 52-year-old former Baath Party official, who was killed on June 6, 2003, when a Marine grabbed him by the neck, snapping a bone and mortally injuring him. Investigators believed the death was accidental, but two of the Marine's superiors face charges in connection with Hatab's treatment.
The 37 deaths under Army investigation are from 33 incidents, two of which involved more than one death. That is eight more cases than the Pentagon had publicly reported two weeks ago.
Of the 33 cases, 30 involve detainees who died inside U.S.-run detention facilities. Of the others, one involved a soldier who shot and killed an Afghani who had lunged toward a weapon, the senior military officer said.
Another was an Iraqi who drowned after he was forced off a bridge by a U.S. soldier. In the third case, a U.S. soldier shot and killed an Iraqi when he lunged at another U.S. soldier, the official said. It is unclear whether any of these three cases have been resolved.
(Source: The Independent [UK], CNN [US])
Among the prisoner deaths, nine are still being investigated as possible homicides, eight by the military and at least one by the Justice Department because it apparently involved only CIA personnel.
In a 10th case, a soldier was punished and dismissed from the Army for using excessive force after shooting to death a man in Iraq who was throwing rocks at him in September 2003.
The nine prisoner homicides apparently still under investigation are:
Abdul Jaleel, 46, who died January 9, 2004, at Forward Operating Base Rifles near Al Asad, Iraq. He died of "blunt force injuries and asphyxia."
Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush, a former commander of Saddam Hussein's air defenses, who died November 26, 2003, during interrogation at Qaim, Iraq. His death may have involved a CIA officer who is an interrogator. Doctors attributed his death to "asphyxia due to smothering and chest compression."
Manadel Al-Jamadi, who was being held at Abu Ghraib, the Iraqi prison in which the widely-reported abuse of prisoners took place. He died November 4, 2003, death of "blunt force injuries complicated by compromised respiration," doctors said. Two CIA personnel, an officer and a contract translator, were present when he died, and the agency and Justice Department are conducting inquiries.
Abdul Wali, a prisoner at Asadabad, Afghanistan, who died June 21, 2003. The CIA's inspector general is conducting an inquiry into this death; it is unclear whether the Army still is.
Dilar Dababa, who was being held near Baghdad. He died June 13, 2003, of what doctors determined was a head injury.
An Afghan listed only as Dilawar, 22, held at Bagram, who died December 10, 2002. Doctors attributed his death to "blunt force injuries to lower extremities complicating coronary artery disease."
Mullah Habibullah, about 28, an Afghan held at Bagram, who died December 3, 2002. Doctors attributed his death to "pulmonary embolism due to blunt force injuries to the legs."
Two additional deaths of unidentified prisoners, at least one of which occurred in Iraq.
Military death certificates released Friday by the Pentagon also attribute two more deaths to "medical homicide," which means that the person died in connection with the actions or influence of another person. It does not necessarily mean a crime occurred. It was unclear whether these deaths are being criminally investigated.
They are:
Fahin Ali Gumaa, 44, who died in Baghdad on April 28, 2004, several days after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.
Abdul Wahid, who died Nov. 6, 2003, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His death is attributed to multiple blunt force injuries that were complicated by a muscle condition.
The military also released the death certificate of prisoner Nagem Sadoon Hatab, a 52-year-old former Baath Party official, who was killed on June 6, 2003, when a Marine grabbed him by the neck, snapping a bone and mortally injuring him. Investigators believed the death was accidental, but two of the Marine's superiors face charges in connection with Hatab's treatment.
The 37 deaths under Army investigation are from 33 incidents, two of which involved more than one death. That is eight more cases than the Pentagon had publicly reported two weeks ago.
Of the 33 cases, 30 involve detainees who died inside U.S.-run detention facilities. Of the others, one involved a soldier who shot and killed an Afghani who had lunged toward a weapon, the senior military officer said.
Another was an Iraqi who drowned after he was forced off a bridge by a U.S. soldier. In the third case, a U.S. soldier shot and killed an Iraqi when he lunged at another U.S. soldier, the official said. It is unclear whether any of these three cases have been resolved.
(Source: The Independent [UK], CNN [US])
The US government has paid the Halliburton company thousands of dollars to drive empty trucks across Iraq.
Twelve current and former truckers who regularly made the 300-mile re-supply run from Camp Cedar in southern Iraq to Camp Anaconda near Baghdad told Knight Ridder that they risked their lives driving empty trucks while their employer, a subsidiary of Halliburton Inc., billed the government.
Defense Department records show that Kellogg Brown and Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton, has been paid $327 million for "theater transportation" of war materiel and supplies for U.S. forces in Iraq and is earmarked to be paid $230 million more. The convoys carry tires for Humvees, Army boots, filing cabinets, tools, engine parts and other equipment.
One driver said his doctor recently told him he might lose the use of his right eye after a December attack. Iraqis shattered his windshield with machine gun fire. Glass got in his eye, and he broke two bones in his shoulder, he said.
His truck was empty at the time.
"I thought, `What good is this?'".
Another driver recalled a trip in December.
As he was hauling an empty truck to Baghdad International Airport, Iraqis threw spikes under his tires and a brick, a cement-like clot of sand and gasoline through his windshield, scattering shards of glass all over him and into his eyes.
Ratliff caught up with his fleeing convoy in his damaged truck and made it to the airport safely. He was told to return with another empty trailer.
Some of the truckers charged that the company is billing the Pentagon for unnecessary work.
Halliburton has also recently been found to have massively overbilled the US government for catering, two of its employees are under criminal investigation over alleged bribes related to contracts to supply fuel to the US military, and Australian company Morris Corporation says its contract in Iraq was suspended after six weeks because it refused to pay a Halliburton employee kickbacks of up to $3 million.
US Vice President Dick Cheney is a former chief executive of Halliburton, and still receives an annual payment from the company.
(Source: Sun Herald [US], Guardian [UK], Sydney Morning Herald)
Twelve current and former truckers who regularly made the 300-mile re-supply run from Camp Cedar in southern Iraq to Camp Anaconda near Baghdad told Knight Ridder that they risked their lives driving empty trucks while their employer, a subsidiary of Halliburton Inc., billed the government.
Defense Department records show that Kellogg Brown and Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton, has been paid $327 million for "theater transportation" of war materiel and supplies for U.S. forces in Iraq and is earmarked to be paid $230 million more. The convoys carry tires for Humvees, Army boots, filing cabinets, tools, engine parts and other equipment.
One driver said his doctor recently told him he might lose the use of his right eye after a December attack. Iraqis shattered his windshield with machine gun fire. Glass got in his eye, and he broke two bones in his shoulder, he said.
His truck was empty at the time.
"I thought, `What good is this?'".
Another driver recalled a trip in December.
As he was hauling an empty truck to Baghdad International Airport, Iraqis threw spikes under his tires and a brick, a cement-like clot of sand and gasoline through his windshield, scattering shards of glass all over him and into his eyes.
Ratliff caught up with his fleeing convoy in his damaged truck and made it to the airport safely. He was told to return with another empty trailer.
Some of the truckers charged that the company is billing the Pentagon for unnecessary work.
Halliburton has also recently been found to have massively overbilled the US government for catering, two of its employees are under criminal investigation over alleged bribes related to contracts to supply fuel to the US military, and Australian company Morris Corporation says its contract in Iraq was suspended after six weeks because it refused to pay a Halliburton employee kickbacks of up to $3 million.
US Vice President Dick Cheney is a former chief executive of Halliburton, and still receives an annual payment from the company.
(Source: Sun Herald [US], Guardian [UK], Sydney Morning Herald)
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
The US military says it has nothing to apologise for for a raid that killed 41 Iraqis, allegedly including children as young as 3.
The US military says they attacked a suspected safehouse used by foreign fighters.
Witness Basim Shehab said that he didn't see anyone firing at the US soldiers and didn't see any weapons.
He says US troops shot the wounded and then planted explosives in the house to destroy what remained. He says a bride and groom celebrating a wedding were among the dead.
Munif Abdullah, who also witnessed the attack, said "they hit the cars and houses. They even hit the families running away".
Mahdi Nawaf says that eight of his relatives were killed in the attack, including six children ranging from three to ten years old.
US Marine Corps Major General James Mattis said "these were more than two dozen military-age males. Let's not be naive...bad things happen in wars...I don't have to apologise for the conduct of my men".
A member of the US-appointed Governing Council, Mahmoud Othman, disputed the US government's version of events, saying "I think they have made a mistake".
(Source: Herald Sun)
The US military says they attacked a suspected safehouse used by foreign fighters.
Witness Basim Shehab said that he didn't see anyone firing at the US soldiers and didn't see any weapons.
He says US troops shot the wounded and then planted explosives in the house to destroy what remained. He says a bride and groom celebrating a wedding were among the dead.
Munif Abdullah, who also witnessed the attack, said "they hit the cars and houses. They even hit the families running away".
Mahdi Nawaf says that eight of his relatives were killed in the attack, including six children ranging from three to ten years old.
US Marine Corps Major General James Mattis said "these were more than two dozen military-age males. Let's not be naive...bad things happen in wars...I don't have to apologise for the conduct of my men".
A member of the US-appointed Governing Council, Mahmoud Othman, disputed the US government's version of events, saying "I think they have made a mistake".
(Source: Herald Sun)
Iraqi prisoners said they were sexually fondled by guards and forced to eat from toilets.
The Washington Post reports that hundreds of photos and short video clips show detainees cowering before unmuzzled dogs, being forced to masturbate, being hit, threatened with shotguns, and sexually assaulted.
The Post's website carried a photo of a naked inmate smeared with what seems to be excrement being forced to walk by a baton-wielding guard.
Detainees described being ridden like animals, sexually fondled by female soldiers, and being forced to retrieve food from their toilets. One said that he saw a US Army translator having sex with a teenage boy.
There are new claims that elite Delta Force troops forced prisoners to wear hoods, drugged them during interrogation, and dunked them in water or smothered them until they thought they would suffocate, at a top-secret jail near Baghdad's airport.
(Source: Herald Sun)
The Washington Post reports that hundreds of photos and short video clips show detainees cowering before unmuzzled dogs, being forced to masturbate, being hit, threatened with shotguns, and sexually assaulted.
The Post's website carried a photo of a naked inmate smeared with what seems to be excrement being forced to walk by a baton-wielding guard.
Detainees described being ridden like animals, sexually fondled by female soldiers, and being forced to retrieve food from their toilets. One said that he saw a US Army translator having sex with a teenage boy.
There are new claims that elite Delta Force troops forced prisoners to wear hoods, drugged them during interrogation, and dunked them in water or smothered them until they thought they would suffocate, at a top-secret jail near Baghdad's airport.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
A Victorian policeman who was bashed, threatened and intimidated by other police officers for investigating corruption, has criticised Victoria Police for failing to protect him.
Detective Sergeant Simon Illingworth said he was hit by another police officer in Carlton.
"I fell down to my knees and I was kicked in the head a number of times," he said.
"I got on to my hands and knees and stood up. I wanted to show that a whistleblower had what it took, and then I fell head first into the floor".
Detective Sergeant Illingworth said that someone in the Victoria Police had given his home address to criminals. He had been forced to spend thousands of dollars on home security, moved house three or four times in the past few months, sold his home, and received special permission to carry a gun 24 hours a day.
Detective Sergeant Illingworth first came across major corruption after only two years in the police.
He said he was compromised by a sergeant who stole money from an illegal card game and was paid off by its operator.
The sergeant later "hatched a plan to kidnap a criminal".
"He spoke about taking him to a quarry, and I asked him what he was going to do". The sergeant then put his hand to his head in the shape of a gun and said "boom".
"This was going to be an execution". The sergeant was jailed for perverting the course of justice, assault and incitement to kidnap.
Detective Sergeant Illingworth is on stress leave from his job in the police's ethical standards department.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Detective Sergeant Simon Illingworth said he was hit by another police officer in Carlton.
"I fell down to my knees and I was kicked in the head a number of times," he said.
"I got on to my hands and knees and stood up. I wanted to show that a whistleblower had what it took, and then I fell head first into the floor".
Detective Sergeant Illingworth said that someone in the Victoria Police had given his home address to criminals. He had been forced to spend thousands of dollars on home security, moved house three or four times in the past few months, sold his home, and received special permission to carry a gun 24 hours a day.
Detective Sergeant Illingworth first came across major corruption after only two years in the police.
He said he was compromised by a sergeant who stole money from an illegal card game and was paid off by its operator.
The sergeant later "hatched a plan to kidnap a criminal".
"He spoke about taking him to a quarry, and I asked him what he was going to do". The sergeant then put his hand to his head in the shape of a gun and said "boom".
"This was going to be an execution". The sergeant was jailed for perverting the course of justice, assault and incitement to kidnap.
Detective Sergeant Illingworth is on stress leave from his job in the police's ethical standards department.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Victoria is facing the worst outbreak of police corruption in living memory, according to a former royal commissioner and Federal Court judge.
Sir Edward Woodward also said that there was a link between the series of underworld murders in Melbourne, and police corruption.
(Source: The Age)
Sir Edward Woodward also said that there was a link between the series of underworld murders in Melbourne, and police corruption.
(Source: The Age)
Friday, May 21, 2004
Interrogators at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison viewed sleep deprivation, stripping inmates naked and threatening them with dogs as normal ways of dealing with "the enemy", a soldier attached to military intelligence there said.
While military police are now facing charges - with one already convicted - it was clear that US Army military intelligence ran the prison, Sgt Samuel Provance told The Associated Press.
Sgt Provance said that if military intelligence interrogators "said, 'We want him naked', it would be the MPs [military police] who would get him out of his clothes".
Humiliation and mistreatment of inmates "was not discussed because it was considered normal....nobody really talked about it. It was the enemy, why sympathise with him?"
Provance said he was told by colleagues that a female interrogator once made a male detainee walk nude from one end of the prison to the other in front of other prisoners.
When a naked detainee tried to use the bag from a packaged military meal as a loincloth, his jailers stopped bringing him food in that form, he said.
Provance said he was speaking out now because he believed military intelligence was covering up what happened or was being protected.
(Source: The Scotsman [UK])
While military police are now facing charges - with one already convicted - it was clear that US Army military intelligence ran the prison, Sgt Samuel Provance told The Associated Press.
Sgt Provance said that if military intelligence interrogators "said, 'We want him naked', it would be the MPs [military police] who would get him out of his clothes".
Humiliation and mistreatment of inmates "was not discussed because it was considered normal....nobody really talked about it. It was the enemy, why sympathise with him?"
Provance said he was told by colleagues that a female interrogator once made a male detainee walk nude from one end of the prison to the other in front of other prisoners.
When a naked detainee tried to use the bag from a packaged military meal as a loincloth, his jailers stopped bringing him food in that form, he said.
Provance said he was speaking out now because he believed military intelligence was covering up what happened or was being protected.
(Source: The Scotsman [UK])
Quote of the Moment:
"After a while we stopped asking for human rights - we wanted animal rights. In Camp X-Ray my cage was right next to a kennel housing an Alsatian dog. He had a wooden house with air conditioning and green grass to exercise on. I said to the guards 'I want his rights', and they replied 'that dog is a member of the US Army'".
Jamal al Harith, a British citizen recently released from Guantanamo Bay, after being held there for two years without charge or trial.
"After a while we stopped asking for human rights - we wanted animal rights. In Camp X-Ray my cage was right next to a kennel housing an Alsatian dog. He had a wooden house with air conditioning and green grass to exercise on. I said to the guards 'I want his rights', and they replied 'that dog is a member of the US Army'".
Jamal al Harith, a British citizen recently released from Guantanamo Bay, after being held there for two years without charge or trial.
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Australian David Hicks was tied up and bashed for two hours at a time by US soldiers in Afghanistan, according to his former cellmate.
22 year old Shah Mohammed was released last year after spending 3 months in US custody.
"The other detainees would be tied up with rope on one hand and one foot, but Hicks they tied up both hands and both feet" he said.
Mr Mohammed also said that the Americans filmed their beatings and interrogations.
(Source: The Australian)
22 year old Shah Mohammed was released last year after spending 3 months in US custody.
"The other detainees would be tied up with rope on one hand and one foot, but Hicks they tied up both hands and both feet" he said.
Mr Mohammed also said that the Americans filmed their beatings and interrogations.
(Source: The Australian)
The government has spent almost $24,000 of public money trying unsuccessfully to send an asylum seeker to another country.
Edriess Abdulrahman and his entourage, including five guards, took 17 flights between them over 13 days.
Australian authorities tried to send him to Sundan, despite rejecting his claim that he was Sudanese.
Mr Abdulrahman is now in Baxter detention centre. He has already spent three years in detention in Australia.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Edriess Abdulrahman and his entourage, including five guards, took 17 flights between them over 13 days.
Australian authorities tried to send him to Sundan, despite rejecting his claim that he was Sudanese.
Mr Abdulrahman is now in Baxter detention centre. He has already spent three years in detention in Australia.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Monday, May 17, 2004
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and one of his top aides authorised the use of 'physical coercion' and sexual humiliation against Iraqi prisoners, according to an article in the New Yorker magazine.
The article says that Mr Rumsfeld, and Undersecretary of Defence for Intelligence Stephen Cambone, approved use of the 'tougher' interrogation techniques last year.
The techniques were based on those already used by US forces in Afghanistan.
(Source: The Age)
The article says that Mr Rumsfeld, and Undersecretary of Defence for Intelligence Stephen Cambone, approved use of the 'tougher' interrogation techniques last year.
The techniques were based on those already used by US forces in Afghanistan.
(Source: The Age)
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Macedonian police murdered seven Pakistanis and Indians, and falsely claimed they were terrorists, in order to impress the American government and be seen to be participating in the war on terror.
The seven were picked up as they entered Macedonia, through Bulgaria, and held in custody for several days before being driven to a spot en route to the US embassy. Then they were shot.
To cover their tracks, the police had placed bags filled with guns and uniforms next to the bodies.
Ljube Boskovski, then the Macedonian interior minister, said his forces had foiled a terrorist attack on the embassy.
The police originally said the men had ambushed them, but they could not explain why seven heavily armed terrorists were killed while the police were uninjured.
They then changed their story to say they had ambushed the terrorists to prevent them attacking the US embassy.
However an enquiry has found that the men were not terrorists, and were shot in cold blood.
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
The seven were picked up as they entered Macedonia, through Bulgaria, and held in custody for several days before being driven to a spot en route to the US embassy. Then they were shot.
To cover their tracks, the police had placed bags filled with guns and uniforms next to the bodies.
Ljube Boskovski, then the Macedonian interior minister, said his forces had foiled a terrorist attack on the embassy.
The police originally said the men had ambushed them, but they could not explain why seven heavily armed terrorists were killed while the police were uninjured.
They then changed their story to say they had ambushed the terrorists to prevent them attacking the US embassy.
However an enquiry has found that the men were not terrorists, and were shot in cold blood.
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Friday, May 14, 2004
US authorities have been accused of "living in '1984' after a 15 year old who drew an anti-war cartoon showing George W Bush impaled on a stick was interviewed by the Secret Service.
The drawings were done for an art class.
Another cartoon portrayed Bush as a devil launching a missile, with a caption reading "End the war - on terrorism".
The student had said the President's 'head' was intended to be an effigy, said Kevin Cravens, who said he is a friend of the boy's family. The caption called for an end to the war in Iraq.
(Source: Associated Press)
The drawings were done for an art class.
Another cartoon portrayed Bush as a devil launching a missile, with a caption reading "End the war - on terrorism".
The student had said the President's 'head' was intended to be an effigy, said Kevin Cravens, who said he is a friend of the boy's family. The caption called for an end to the war in Iraq.
(Source: Associated Press)
The families of soldiers who died on army bases have described the military justice system as corrupt and dysfunctional.
John Satatas, 19, was found hanged by a cord tied to a tree at the Holsworthy Army Barracks on April 16 last year, 16 months after joining the army.
An autopsy later found that Mr Satatas's death was self-inflicted. He had a moustache and beard drawn on his face and the word 'Spiros' on his forehead and 'Spic' on his arm.
The young soldier's mother, Rosa, told a Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee public hearing that her son's death had never been properly investigated.
She said NSW police had failed to investigate the scene to determine whether anyone else had been present at her son's death, and army claims that he had been drinking heavily immediately before dying were proved to be untrue.
Her son, she said, had been missing for three days before his body was found but the army made no effort to find him even though his wallet and ID card were in his room.
She said that a short time before John died he had told his brother Richard that he had been physically and verbally abused by other soldiers and that nothing had been done about it.
The family of Private Jeremy Williams, who was found hanging at the Singleton Army Base on February 2 last year, also gave evidence before the committee.
Private Williams's sister, Ruth, said there was clear evidence that army failings led to her brother's death, failings that in many cases had never been corrected.
"No one has been held accountable," she said. "The army has admitted its failings but where is the justice?"
The young soldier's father, Charles, said that it was clear that the army did not care about its trainees.
Private Williams was deeply distressed before his death because he believed he was going to be discharged from the army because he had hurt his feet during a forced march.
Mr Williams said charges that were later laid against a sergeant at Singleton over his alleged verbal and physical abuse of two other trainees were dismissed after what he said was an inadequate hearing and investigation. "This is an outrageous example of how corrupt and dysfunctional the military justice system is and we implore the committee to take action," he said.
The Williamses said Jeremy's superiors routinely denigrated injured soldiers as lepers, heathens and window lickers and he had been made to feel worthless, useless and scum.
They said the army had been alerted to Jeremy's distressed condition before his death but it had failed in its duty of care to him, just as it had failed many others before and since.
(Source: The Age)
John Satatas, 19, was found hanged by a cord tied to a tree at the Holsworthy Army Barracks on April 16 last year, 16 months after joining the army.
An autopsy later found that Mr Satatas's death was self-inflicted. He had a moustache and beard drawn on his face and the word 'Spiros' on his forehead and 'Spic' on his arm.
The young soldier's mother, Rosa, told a Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee public hearing that her son's death had never been properly investigated.
She said NSW police had failed to investigate the scene to determine whether anyone else had been present at her son's death, and army claims that he had been drinking heavily immediately before dying were proved to be untrue.
Her son, she said, had been missing for three days before his body was found but the army made no effort to find him even though his wallet and ID card were in his room.
She said that a short time before John died he had told his brother Richard that he had been physically and verbally abused by other soldiers and that nothing had been done about it.
The family of Private Jeremy Williams, who was found hanging at the Singleton Army Base on February 2 last year, also gave evidence before the committee.
Private Williams's sister, Ruth, said there was clear evidence that army failings led to her brother's death, failings that in many cases had never been corrected.
"No one has been held accountable," she said. "The army has admitted its failings but where is the justice?"
The young soldier's father, Charles, said that it was clear that the army did not care about its trainees.
Private Williams was deeply distressed before his death because he believed he was going to be discharged from the army because he had hurt his feet during a forced march.
Mr Williams said charges that were later laid against a sergeant at Singleton over his alleged verbal and physical abuse of two other trainees were dismissed after what he said was an inadequate hearing and investigation. "This is an outrageous example of how corrupt and dysfunctional the military justice system is and we implore the committee to take action," he said.
The Williamses said Jeremy's superiors routinely denigrated injured soldiers as lepers, heathens and window lickers and he had been made to feel worthless, useless and scum.
They said the army had been alerted to Jeremy's distressed condition before his death but it had failed in its duty of care to him, just as it had failed many others before and since.
(Source: The Age)
Work kills some 6,000 people a day worldwide, more than die in wars, according to the International Labour Office (ILO).
In addition almost 270 million accidents are recorded each year, of which 350,000 are fatal.
Many of these could be prevented, the ILO believes.
20 years after one of the worst industrial accidents on record - the Bhopal disaster - which killed 2,500 people and injured 200,000 in the space of a few hours, the situation has scarcely improved.
(Source: ILO)
In addition almost 270 million accidents are recorded each year, of which 350,000 are fatal.
Many of these could be prevented, the ILO believes.
20 years after one of the worst industrial accidents on record - the Bhopal disaster - which killed 2,500 people and injured 200,000 in the space of a few hours, the situation has scarcely improved.
(Source: ILO)
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
British soldiers in Iraq have shot and killed Iraqi civilians, including an eight-year-old girl and a guest at a wedding celebration, in situations where there was no apparent threat to themselves or others, according to a new report from Amnesty International.
The report also details political and 'moral' killings in the UK-administered south, by armed groups and individuals. Former supporters of Saddam Hussein have been killed, as well as people selling alcohol, music and videos - all forbidden by fundamentalist strains of Islam.
No one has been prosecuted for any such killing. Some members of the new Iraqi police force set up by Western governments told Amnesty that killing supporters of Saddam Hussein was justified.
Many cases of civilian killings by UK Armed Forces have not even been investigated. Investigations by the Royal Military Police (RMP) have been secretive, with families given little or no information about their progress.
The report, Killings of Civilians in Basra and al-'Amara, is based on research carried out by Amnesty International in February and March of this year. Amnesty interviewed families of the deceased and eyewitnesses to the killings, Iraqi police officers and Coalition Provisional Authority officials responsible for law and order.
It details numerous killings by UK armed forces and armed groups. One such case is that of eight-year-old Hanan Saleh Matrud, reportedly shot by a soldier from B Company of the First Battalion of the King's Regiment in August 2003. An eyewitness disputes the UK army's claim that she may have been hit accidentally by a warning shot. He told Amnesty International that Hanan was killed when a soldier aimed and fired a shot at her from around 60 metres away.
In January this year Ghanem Kadhem Kati' a 22-year-old unarmed man, was reportedly shot in the back outside his front door while celebrating a family wedding. UK soldiers, responding to the sound of bullets fired into the air in celebration, fired five shots at him from 50 yards away, despite reportedly being told by a neighbour not to fire and that the earlier shots were in celebration. An RMP investigation is ongoing, but relatives have not been informed about the procedures for claiming compensation.
Families are frequently given no information on how to lodge a compensation claim for the killing of their relatives. In some cases they are given wrong information, including that responsibility for compensation would rest with a new Iraqi government. The Area Claims Officer is situated in an area difficult to access for ordinary civilians (Basra airport) and there is little explanatory information provided on the claims process in English or in Arabic. As a result, people interviewed had little confidence in the compensation system.
The report reveals killings of people, mainly Christians, involved in the alcohol trade. Licensed liquor sellers have been killed and their stores closed down. Sources report that around 150 Christian families have fled Basra. On 15 February 2004 a gang of 13 masked men opened fire with machine guns in the main street, in an area where alcohol was frequently sold, killing at least nine people.
(Source: Amnesty International)
The report also details political and 'moral' killings in the UK-administered south, by armed groups and individuals. Former supporters of Saddam Hussein have been killed, as well as people selling alcohol, music and videos - all forbidden by fundamentalist strains of Islam.
No one has been prosecuted for any such killing. Some members of the new Iraqi police force set up by Western governments told Amnesty that killing supporters of Saddam Hussein was justified.
Many cases of civilian killings by UK Armed Forces have not even been investigated. Investigations by the Royal Military Police (RMP) have been secretive, with families given little or no information about their progress.
The report, Killings of Civilians in Basra and al-'Amara, is based on research carried out by Amnesty International in February and March of this year. Amnesty interviewed families of the deceased and eyewitnesses to the killings, Iraqi police officers and Coalition Provisional Authority officials responsible for law and order.
It details numerous killings by UK armed forces and armed groups. One such case is that of eight-year-old Hanan Saleh Matrud, reportedly shot by a soldier from B Company of the First Battalion of the King's Regiment in August 2003. An eyewitness disputes the UK army's claim that she may have been hit accidentally by a warning shot. He told Amnesty International that Hanan was killed when a soldier aimed and fired a shot at her from around 60 metres away.
In January this year Ghanem Kadhem Kati' a 22-year-old unarmed man, was reportedly shot in the back outside his front door while celebrating a family wedding. UK soldiers, responding to the sound of bullets fired into the air in celebration, fired five shots at him from 50 yards away, despite reportedly being told by a neighbour not to fire and that the earlier shots were in celebration. An RMP investigation is ongoing, but relatives have not been informed about the procedures for claiming compensation.
Families are frequently given no information on how to lodge a compensation claim for the killing of their relatives. In some cases they are given wrong information, including that responsibility for compensation would rest with a new Iraqi government. The Area Claims Officer is situated in an area difficult to access for ordinary civilians (Basra airport) and there is little explanatory information provided on the claims process in English or in Arabic. As a result, people interviewed had little confidence in the compensation system.
The report reveals killings of people, mainly Christians, involved in the alcohol trade. Licensed liquor sellers have been killed and their stores closed down. Sources report that around 150 Christian families have fled Basra. On 15 February 2004 a gang of 13 masked men opened fire with machine guns in the main street, in an area where alcohol was frequently sold, killing at least nine people.
(Source: Amnesty International)
