Amnesty Int'l: Rumsfeld's the poster child for Abu Ghraib torture scandal

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Rumsfeld Symbolizes Abu Ghraib Torture Scandal; Prosecuting a Few Soldiers Does Not Address Root of Problem, Says Amnesty International

4/28/2006 12:01:00 AM

To: National Desk

Contact: Sharon Singh of Amnesty International, 202-544-0200 ext. 289



WASHINGTON, April 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Two years have passed since the Abu Ghraib photographs shocked the world, and other than trying a few mostly lower-level servicemen and women for their actions, the U.S. government has not done enough to remedy the widespread torture and ill-treatment of security suspects in U.S. detention centers, Amnesty International charged today.

"Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other senior officials in the Bush administration have failed to show any meaningful commitment to end torture and ill-treatment of detainees, not only in Iraq, but also at Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan and other locations and to ensure those responsible are held accountable," said Curt Goering, Amnesty International USA's senior deputy executive director for policy and programs. "The lack of serious repercussions for those involved with torture and ill-treatment of detainees signals a tolerance of abuse."

When the Abu Ghraib photos broke, Rumsfeld and others within the administration adamantly stated that the actions depicted in the photos were the work of a few rogue soldiers, not Department of Defense or administration policy. However, the abuses at Abu Ghraib were not an aberration, as an army report itself (the Schmidt report) showed the migration of such techniques from Guantanamo Bay to Abu Ghraib. The Schmidt report, released in April 2005 by the U.S. Army, investigated FBI allegations of detainee abuse at Guantanamo Bay.

Amnesty International is pleased to hear reports that the Army plans to charge Lt. Col. Steven L. Jordan, the former head of interrogation at Abu Ghraib. To date, he would be the highest- ranking officer at Abu Ghraib to face criminal charges in connection with abuses at the prison. Although this anticipated action is a welcome step, it does not fully address responsibility and accountability up the chain of command which must look to the civilian leadership.


http://www.usnewswire.com/

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=64765

[rodeodance]

1. how embarrassing for the US!

[proud patriot]

2. Bush_Eats_Beef please read

In the future please limit your snips of articles to
4 paragraphs, as per the Democratic Underground
copyright rules .

Thanks ,


proud patriot Moderator
Democratic Underground

[cliss]

3. For some reason, the issue of the

prison scandal came up again earlier this year. Rumsfailed couldn't understand what the problem was. He said "these are all old photos".

He also made the comment, "all the people who did this have been punished".

I thought as black smoke was coming out of my ears, "All except ONE".

* * * * * * *

Now notice Mr. Rumsfailed schmoozing with his troops. Notice? they're all looking down. Except for the one who's being spoken to, but notice he smiles but he looks AWAY. The other troops are not smiling. They all know: he's radioactive and is soon going to be gone.