U.N. Says Detention Centers A "Grave Concern"
Mary K. Brunskill - All Headline News Staff Writer Geneva, Switzerland (AHN) - In a speech to the new Human Rights Council on Friday, U.N. high commissioner for human rights Louise Arbour denounced the use of secret detention centers in the war on terrorism. Arbour said governments need to treat prisoners in accordance with the law, avoiding torture and providing fair trials. According to the AP, Arbour was "clearly referring to repeated allegations of U.S. abuses." Arbour said that "the reported existence of secret detention centers where suspects are held incommunicado is ... of grave concern." "Such practices have a corrosive effect on the rule of law and human rights, and create an environment ripe for other abusive conduct," she said. In response, the U.S. delegation said it was U.S. policy to treat captured combatants humanely. Ambassador Warren W. Tichenor, who heads to U.S. delegation to the 47-nation council, said the U.S. has abided by its "absolute commitment to uphold our national and international obligations to eradicate torture and to prevent cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment worldwide."
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