Human Rights First report on Detainee Deaths

In a report by Human Rights First (the full report is Available in PDF format), they allege that the U.S. military has failed to investigate and adequately discipline troops and their superiors (and CIA agents) involved in detainee deaths. Furthermore, in 8 of the 100 or so cases of detainee death where death was caused by torture, the steepest sentence given was 5 months. They also question the reporting and investigations, as well as the lack of accountability higher up in the chain of command since “the law that requires commanders to be held responsible for the unlawful acts of their subordinates about which they knew or should have known has been all but forgotten”. For example in one of the most well-known cases of detainee death, that of Abed Hamed Mowhoush, who was killed by being stuffed in a sleeping bag after many beatings, wrapped up with electrical cord and his mouth and nose were blocked and his chest was sat upon. Although publicly his death was of ‘natural causes’, the autopsy reported it as “asphyxia due to smothering and chest compression”. Despite participation of the CIA and Special Forces in the beatings and eventual death of Mowhoush, only one soldier was eventually tried and convicted and he received no jail time. The other descriptions are equally as disturbing and the consequences no more severe. Furthermore, the investigative techniques and procedures were not followed in many cases that looked to be a cover-up method. The report is a disturbing read on why the U.S. needs to make sure that accusations of torture and detainee death are investigated thoroughly and as far up the command structure as the responsibility goes.