Dear Friends, Peace and Justice,
We have seen with shock and awe the images on TV, Newspapers
and the general world media the horrible images of the systematic torture
of the Iraqi prisoners in the prison in AbuGhrain. We have winessed
with utter disgust and dismay the svagery of the Amricans.
But, there is more to that brutality! Columnist Ari Brennan of "The Nation"
in his colum writes that there's a new batch of photos from Iraq's Abu
Ghraib prison, and these are reportedly far worse than the sickening
originals. Naturally, the Pentagon is trying to block their release.
The ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in
October 2003 to make public 87 photographs and four videos
depicting prisoner abuse in Iraq. The Pentagon originally argued that
releasing the images would violate the Geneva Convention rights of
the detainees; a supreme irony considering that the US originally
denied these very prisoners Geneva Convention protections.
The ACLU agreed that the Pentagon could black out "identifying
characteristics," but a federal judge in New York ruled last week
that DoD must explain publicly why it's concealing the images. "By
and large, I ruled for public disclosure," said US District Judge Alvin
Hellerstein. A final ruling is expected on August 30.
In court proceedings, General Richard Myers argued that releasing
In court proceedings, General Richard Myers argued that releasing
the pictures and videos would give aid to the enemy: boosting Al Qaeda
recruitment, destabilizing governments in Iraq and Afghanistan and
inciting riots throughout the Muslim world. But a number of high-ranking
officers and civil libertarians countered by noting that much of what
Myers predicts is already occurring on the ground, fueled in large
measure by past and present US behavior. "The attacks will continue
regardless of whether the photos and tapes are released," testified
former US Army Colonel Michael Pheneger. Myers, he said,
"mistakes propaganda for motivation."
Last May members of Congress sat in a dark room and viewed the
Last May members of Congress sat in a dark room and viewed the
images. Their responses begged for further elaboration. "It was
disgusting," said Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson. "There were
new ones that we hadn't seen before, and they're bad. I mean there's
no doubt about that." Bad enough to show to Congress apparently,
but not the American people.
The NewsHour's Ray Suarez said the images reportedly depict
The NewsHour's Ray Suarez said the images reportedly depict
"assault, coerced sexual activity, rape, even dead bodies." Some
may have originated outside of Abu Ghraib. Rep. Jane Harman said
she saw videos of a prisoner banging his head against a wall and
a group of men masturbating. "Some of the videos are more disturbing
than the still photos that you've seen," added Sen. Bill Nelson.
Far from endangering American national security, the release of the
Far from endangering American national security, the release of the
horrific images could provide new impetus to the stalled Congressional
investigations into prisoner abuse, and the Pentagon's failure to hold
any high-ranking officers accountable for Abu Ghraib. An independent
counsel with subpoena power is what's needed most right now to
prevent images like these in the future.
The civilised nations of the world and the good and decent people
everywhere must raise their voice to set up the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) to charge Bush, Blair, Sharon and their evil cohorts
and savage Generals in Iraq for crimes against humanity.
Justice For The Innocent Victoms Of Tyranny, Dr Homi Wadia
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