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'Changes needed' to Army training 'Changes needed' to Army training
(40 minutes later)
Changes are needed to rectify serious flaws in the way soldiers are trained to deal with Iraqi prisoners, a senior army officer has said.Changes are needed to rectify serious flaws in the way soldiers are trained to deal with Iraqi prisoners, a senior army officer has said.
But Brig Robert Aitken's report also said changes had been made, and there was no evidence of systemic abuse.But Brig Robert Aitken's report also said changes had been made, and there was no evidence of systemic abuse.
The Army report was commissioned after allegations of abuse, including the case of Baha Mousa, 26, who died in custody with 93 injuries in 2003.The Army report was commissioned after allegations of abuse, including the case of Baha Mousa, 26, who died in custody with 93 injuries in 2003.
But lawyers acting for Iraqi civilians said the report was a "whitewash". Mr Mousa's father said his son was the victim of state-sanctioned violence.
'Whitewash'
Daoud Mousa said: "These terrible actions could not have taken place without support from senior officers within the British army... I do not accept this report for a second."
Meanwhile lawyers acting for Iraqi civilians said the report was a "whitewash".
The death of Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, who died from asphyxiation while in British army custody in Basra, was one of several cases of abuse of Iraqi prisoners that triggered the investigation.
The Aitken inquiry lacks any independence or rigour, is a complete red herring and represents a whitewash Phil Shiner,Public Interest Lawyers Army learns lessons
The report, commissioned by then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, said lessons needed to be learned from the incidents.
These happened during the volatile period between 2003 and 2004, when the insurgency in Iraq began after the invasion.
The inquiry said changes to the Army's pre-deployment training needed to be made in order to prevent further abuses.
There were three key recommendations:
  • The Army must learn from the disciplinary process, in the same way as it does from other areas of its operations
  • The Army must find ways to ingrain its high standards, values and standards of behaviour in its personnel
  • The Army must make sure administrative processes were used correctly
    • Changes that have already been made include a training video that has been produced by the Army to display some of the lessons learned.
    'Stress and deprive'
    It tells soldiers only to use plastic cuffs on unco-operative prisoners and never to take photos of prisoners.
    But lawyers and civil rights advocates have joined Daoud Mousa in condemning Brig Aitken's final report.
    Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) which represents civilians alleging abuse while in detention, said his firm was acting in cases apparently involving over 30 deaths in detention, including executions.Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) which represents civilians alleging abuse while in detention, said his firm was acting in cases apparently involving over 30 deaths in detention, including executions.
    "It was standard operating procedure to hood, stress and deprive detainees of sleep, water and food," he said."It was standard operating procedure to hood, stress and deprive detainees of sleep, water and food," he said.
    The Aitken inquiry lacks any independence or rigour, is a complete red herring and represents a whitewash Phil Shiner,Public Interest Lawyers Army learns lessons
    "What is important to understand is that the High Court will shortly have to decide whether to hold an independent and public inquiry into the UK's detention policy in Iraq.
    "This report is completely irrelevant to the question the court must decide, namely whether the military justice system can satisfy the requirements that investigations into death and torture by the state be independent, effective, prompt and involve relatives.
    "The Aitken inquiry lacks any independence or rigour, is a complete red herring and represents a whitewash.""The Aitken inquiry lacks any independence or rigour, is a complete red herring and represents a whitewash."
    Investigation called for
    Hashmiyah Hassan Umarah, of the Basra Provincial Council, also criticised the report's findings, arguing that there had been "a clear human rights violation" and the soldiers involved "must be punished".Hashmiyah Hassan Umarah, of the Basra Provincial Council, also criticised the report's findings, arguing that there had been "a clear human rights violation" and the soldiers involved "must be punished".
    "The report is not fair because it blames a lack of training. The British troops were well trained and must have known what they were doing. They should have been held responsible for what they did," he said.
    Amnesty International called for "a fully independent investigation" into the death of Mr Mousa.Amnesty International called for "a fully independent investigation" into the death of Mr Mousa.
    The organisation's UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said: "We still don't know the full circumstances surrounding the torture and death of Baha Mousa.
    "We also still need to know why members of the armed forces used techniques like hooding, stress positions and sleep deprivation when these had long been outlawed."
    But Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the Army's chief of the general staff, said he was "satisfied that the standards of behaviour are understood by all our people as they operate today in the difficult circumstances of Iraq and Afghanistan".But Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the Army's chief of the general staff, said he was "satisfied that the standards of behaviour are understood by all our people as they operate today in the difficult circumstances of Iraq and Afghanistan".
    "I take no pride in the activities of a very small number of our soldiers who have been found guilty of abuse in Iraq in 2003, 2004," he said, adding that he is "extremely proud" of his soldiers operating in Iraq and Afghanistan in "very difficult circumstances"."I take no pride in the activities of a very small number of our soldiers who have been found guilty of abuse in Iraq in 2003, 2004," he said, adding that he is "extremely proud" of his soldiers operating in Iraq and Afghanistan in "very difficult circumstances".
    'Highest standards''Highest standards'
    In a written statement to MPs, Defence Secretary Des Browne said the report was rightly critical but had also shown a great deal had been done to rectify the problems.In a written statement to MPs, Defence Secretary Des Browne said the report was rightly critical but had also shown a great deal had been done to rectify the problems.
    He stressed that "only the highest standards are acceptable to the Army and the Ministry of Defence as a whole".He stressed that "only the highest standards are acceptable to the Army and the Ministry of Defence as a whole".
    The report, commissioned by then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, said lessons needed to be learned from several cases of abuse of Iraqi prisoners. Nine people detained at the same time as Mr Mousa also testified to suffering beatings and ill-treatment.
    These happened during the volatile period between 2003 and 2004, when the insurgency in Iraq began after the invasion.
    Key recommendations
    The report said the changes to the Army's pre-deployment training needed to be made in order to prevent further abuses, and set out recommendations for improvements.
    There were three key recommendations:
    • The Army must learn from the disciplinary process, in the same way as it does from other areas of its operations
    • The Army must find ways to ingrain its high standards, values and standards of behaviour in its personnel
    • The Army must make sure administrative processes were used correctly.
    Changes already made include a training video that has been produced by the Army to display some of the lessons learned.
    It tells soldiers only to use plastic cuffs on unco-operative prisoners and never to take photos of prisoners.
    Asphyxiation
    Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, died from asphyxiation while in British army custody in Basra in 2003
    Nine others detained at the same time testified to suffering beatings and ill-treatment.
    A court martial acquitted six out of seven servicemen, while the seventh was jailed for a year for mistreatment.A court martial acquitted six out of seven servicemen, while the seventh was jailed for a year for mistreatment.
    No further criminal charges are likely against individuals involved in the death of Mr Mousa, the government is expected to announce.No further criminal charges are likely against individuals involved in the death of Mr Mousa, the government is expected to announce.
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