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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Afghan Detainees Allege Abuse at US Base

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(Newser) – Many Afghans once detained by the US military at Bagram air base, north of Kabul, say they were treated similarly to abused prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, the BBC reports. “They did things that you would not do against animals let alone to humans,” a former detainee said, including sexual humiliation and death threats. Most Bagram detainees have no access to lawyers or hope of trial.

A Pentagon spokesman said conditions there “meet international standards for care and custody.” Aid groups are pushing to provide services to the detainees, who are in a “legal black hole,” but the Obama administration opposes the move. The Justice Department argues that legal rights for Bagram detainees would hinder the US “ability to succeed in armed conflict and to protect United States’ forces.”

Freed Afghan journalist Jawed Ahmad, detained for 11 months at the main US military base at Bagram.
Freed Afghan journalist Jawed Ahmad, detained for 11 months at the main US military base at Bagram.   (AP Photo)
An Afghan prisoner in Jalalabad.
An Afghan prisoner in Jalalabad.   (AP Photo)
Afghan security policemen surround prisoners during a protest at the prison in Jalalabad.
Afghan security policemen surround prisoners during a protest at the prison in Jalalabad.   (AP Photo)
US and Afghan flags are seen held by soldiers during the change of command ceremony at Bagram.
US and Afghan flags are seen held by soldiers during the change of command ceremony at Bagram.   (AP Photo)
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6 comments
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justme
Jun 24, 09 2:03 PM CDT
Welcome to the real world, Prez. Hope you stick by the troops and what they need. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
JonmarkP
Jun 24, 09 6:11 PM CDT
I don't think our excellent military needs to torture or abuse people to get the job done. This is coming from a few maggots at the tup.
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+4
godawgs
Jun 24, 09 3:49 PM CDT
Well let's see if Bagram gets as much publicity as Gitmo. The president has been able to get around most of the stuff he campaigned against by using this base and "outsourcing" our interrogations to foreign countries. Let's see if the American media rides this President like they did the last one. Reply
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+1
JonmarkP
Jun 24, 09 6:09 PM CDT
Obama is the new master of "bait and switch." With Bush, at least you knew you were getting a punk. That Obama would continue these sick practices shows how weak he is. Obama is unwilling or unable to stand up to the sadists currently managing the military. Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
Shannonals
Jun 25, 09 12:57 AM CDT
It's hilarious how everyone always blames the President for the actions of the United States troops. No one ever says anything about their Officers or Staff Non-commissioned Officers who witness the abuse daily. It wasn't right when Bush was in office and it isn't right now that Obama is in office. Want to point fingers? How about pointing them at the commanders with the stars on their collars
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