People Against POW Abuse

We, the undersigned, petition the United Nations, its Security Council, Heads of States, and International Organizations to declare that the abuse of Iraqi detainees by Coalition Provisional Authority forces is a war crime and crime against humanity, and to demand that proper legal action be taken against the prepetrators of these crimes.

Furthermore, we insist that these abuses by US and UK soldiers in the Abu Ghraib facility and other detention centers in Iraq be declared a violation of fundamental human rights and a breach of the Geneva Conventions, and that those responsible be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

As the Secretary General of Amnesty International Irene Khan puts it, The US administration has shown a consistent disregard for the Geneva Conventions and basic principles of law, human rights and decency. This has created a climate in which US soldiers feel they can dehumanize and degrade prisoners with impunity. What we now see in Iraq is the logical consequence of the relentless pursuit of the war on terror regardless of the costs to human rights and the rules of war.

We are signing this petition in the hope that the international community will take up Amnesty Internationals appeal to the U.S. administration to
- invite the United Nations experts covering torture and arbitrary detention to immediately visit US detention facilities in Iraq and wherever else they may seek such a visit.
- make use of the services of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission provided for by Article 90 of Additional Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions to look into the allegations of abuse and related US investigations.
- ensure that any victims of torture or inhumane treatment receive full reparations, including compensation, as required under international law.

It is the duty of the international community to do all in its power to protect the rights of Iraqi detainees by putting an end to the abuses and prosecuting those responsible.