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Mosul detention facility toured weekly by local Iraqi officials; allegations of abuse unfounded

Sep-15-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

(TFO Press Release)

MOSUL, Iraq (Sep. 15, 2004) – Recent media reports alleging sexual abuse of detainees in Mosul are unsubstantiated and without merit according to Multi-National Forces and Iraqi Government officials.

Weekly tours of the facility, conducted since 2003, by Ninevah Provincial Council members have found no substantiated reports of misconduct by security personnel who manage the facility.

Ninevah Province Governor, Duraid Kashmoula has also refuted the abuse allegations.

“We believe in the humanitarian treatment of detainees in Mosul,” Kashmoula said. “The allegations of abuse are unfounded. We know this because of the frequent access we have to interview the detainees.”

Multi-National Forces have worked closely with local Iraqi Government leaders and human rights organizations to ensure that the rights of all detainees in the facility are protected. A weekly tour of the facility allows open access to the Mosul Provincial Council Detainee Committee. The committee assesses conditions of the facility, receives and forwards detainee complaints regarding treatment conditions and offers family and friends of detainees peace of mind on the condition of their loved ones.

After an August 7, 2004 visit to the facility, Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Deputy Commanding General for Detainees, stated that the Mosul Detention Facility is the “Cadillac of detention facilities in Iraq.”

The Multi-National Corps-Iraq Inspector General has visited the facility four times since February 2004 and given commendable ratings following each visit.

The current detention facility was completed in May 2004. The facility has heating and cooling elements in all general population cells and interrogations areas. Detainees have access to showers and restrooms in all general population areas and access to daily medical treatment.

Detainees are provided with three culturally sensitive meals a day and a “midnight snack.” Local food products are provided when available. Detainees also have access to local and bottled water, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

All Soldiers who work at the facility are trained in and adhere to established regulations and polices in the treatment of all retained personnel. All persons are treated with respect and dignity. They are protected against violence, assaults and reprisals of any kind. Coercion is not inflicted on detainees to obtain information. Those who refuse to answer questions are not threatened or insulted.


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