By John Stephen Katende

1^st Nov 2010

Leaked United States documents on the war in Iraq point to serious breaches of international human rights law, including summary execution of civilians as well as torture and ill-treatment of detainees, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

According to a statement by Navi Pillay’s office, the files indicate that the US knew about the widespread use of torture and ill-treatment of detainees by Iraqi forces but proceeded with transferring thousands who had been detained by US forces into Iraqi custody between 2009 and July 2010.  They also allegedly include information on many undisclosed instances in which US forces killed civilians at checkpoints and during operations.

Ms. Pillay said US and Iraqi authorities should take necessary measures to investigate all allegations made in these reports and to bring those behind the unlawful killings and torture to justice in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which both nations are parties.

She also called on Iraq to ratify the Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol which gives a UN committee the right to visit all places of detention and examine the treatment of detainees.

The UN official further urged the Iraqi Government to facilitate visits of human rights teams of the UN mission in the country to monitor the rights situation in detention facilities so that advice and assistance can be given to Iraqi authorities.  END.  Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.