And not just the gloves, after September 11th
the fight against terrorism got dirty and
dangerous and detention without trial, which in
any civilised society is unacceptable, became
accepted. US led global counterterrorist
legislation is responsible for human rights
violations in every country that has introduced
new legislation since September 11th. This
legislation has seen 12,117 simply disappear into
anti-terrorist legislation vacuums; secret jails
where access to legal help, the red cross and
family have been denied.
UK: 304
arrested since 2001. Only 3 convicted. Some have
been locked up for 22 hours a day.
USA: 1200
detained since 2001. At least 484 still held. US
government refuses to release identity of
detainees. Some have been "locked down" for 23
hours a day.
CUBA:
American prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay.
Washington is adamant the Geneva Convention on
human rights doesn't apply. Detainees live in
cages. US are currently setting up secret
military trials for detainees.
ISRAEL:
900 Palestinians held without charge or trial.
Israeli authorities characterise all armed
Palestinian activity as terrorism and justify all
Israeli military activity as part of the global
"war on terror".
CHECHNYA:
1300 people have vanished since September 11th.
The rate of disappearances is currently running
at 60 a month. Prisoners are routinely beaten and
tortured.
EGYPT:
Between 100 and 'several thousand' al-Qa'ida
suspects have been transferred from Afghanistan
to Jordan where authorities practise brutal
torture.
INDIA: At
least 300 held under new Prevention of Terrorism
Act. The law is used against Muslim separatists
in Kashmir, but also against other Muslim
activists.
IRAQ: 3087
PoWs and interned civilians still held. US forces
are currently rounding up 'civilian' Iraqis
suspected of paramilitary involvement and may
ship them to Guantanamo Bay.
SAUDI
ARABIA: Unknown number of detainees.
During interrogations US officials observe
through one way mirrors.
MOROCCO:
Infamous for torture. 35 suspects detained since
Casablanca bombs. Another 100 have been
'referred' there by US.
AFGHANISTAN:
3000 Taliban and al-Qa'ida prisoners held in
Bagram airbase and Jowzjan prison. Bagram is a
CIA interrogation centre where at least two
detainees have died from beatings. The red cross
are denied access.
Isn't it ironic that Amnesty International can
now visit any prison in the whole of Afghanistan
except one, Bagram - the one run by the great
champion of openness and freedom, the USA.