We look on with horror as reports surface of terrible abuses against the dignity of human beings held captive by invading forces in their own country.
After the torture and vile acts by the American army, Bush goes out and congratulates Rumsfeld. It's just incredible. I am in total shock. Bush's praise for Rumsfeld will discredit the United States and further damage its reputation, which is already at a historic low in the Arab world.
- Omar Belhouchet, editor of the influential Algerian national daily El Watan
After Mr. Bush's decision to keep Rumsfeld, all their apologies seem like lip service. Rumsfeld would have certainly lost his job if the prisoners were American. The United States is spending so much money by setting up Alhurra television and Radio Sawa to improve its image in the Arab world...How can it reconcile that with keeping a man who has insulted every Arab through the abuses of Iraqi prisoners.
- Jawad al-Anani, former Jordanian foreign minister
Arrests as described in these allegations tended to follow a pattern. Arresting authorities entered houses usually after dark, breaking down doors, waking up residents roughly, yelling orders, forcing family members into one room under military guard while searching the rest of the house and further breaking doors, cabinets and other property. They arrested suspects, tying their hands in the back with flexi-cuffs, hooding them and taking them away. Sometime they arrested all adult males present in a house including elderly, handicapped or sick people. Treatment often included pushing people around, insulting, taking aim with rifles, punching and kicking and striking with rifles. Individuals were often led away in whatever they happened to be wearing at the time of arrest -- sometime in pyjamas or underwear -- and were denied the opportunity to gather a few essential belongings, such as clothing, hygiene items, medicine or eyeglasses.
- from the Red Cross report on US abuses in Iraq
(via Bartcop)
