U.S. to handover Bagram prison to Afghanistan
Source: Guardian News
March 25, 2013
U.S. to handover Bagram prison to Afghanistan
Emma Graham-Harrison
Washington move leaves Britain as the only foreign power now jailing Afghans in their own country
Washington has sealed plans for the much-delayed handover of the last Afghan prisoners it holds on Afghan soil, removing a major irritant to ties with Kabul and leaving the United Kingdom as the only foreign power still jailing Afghans in their own country.
Britain halted transfers to Afghan jails over torture concerns, and after Mondays ceremony to give Afghanistan full control of the Bagram prison, could face greater pressure from Afghan president Hamid Karzai over that stance.
The Afghan leader has long been an outspoken opponent of foreign-run jails that he sees as a serious violation of national sovereignty, but until now had focused most of his attention and political firepower on getting US forces to relinquish their huge prison near Kabul.
Dozens of detainees captured by the British military may be his next target. The men have been in legal limbo in a Helmand prison since the high court blocked a determined attempt by the Ministry of Defence to transfer them to Afghan jails, when evidence was presented that they could face torture there.
Read more: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/us-to-handover-bagram-prison-to-afghanistan/article4546636.ece
Demeter
(85,373 posts)Let's be real. That prison will be emptied, by escapes, breakouts and bribery. And everything will revert.
Afghanistan needs help...but not ours, since the US doesn't understand that "help" does NOT mean asset stripping, genocide, sniping and droning, and imprisonment.
libodem
(19,288 posts)Will be better or worse. I have thought of it as an uninvestigated Abu Grab, full of torture and horror.
If the prisoners can escape, I wish them well.
Melon_Lord
(105 posts)I can say worse with confidence.
OTOH, watch who you wish well. There is some serious scum being held there now.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)agreement that has to be made so that we can leave. I've read that Afghans already control part of that prison anyway. Hand it over and GTFO.
Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)tblue
(16,350 posts)At least they take a firm stand against torture.