http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/11/15/wirq15.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/11/15/ixworld.htmlThousands of people are being locked up without adequate legal protection in Iraq's prisons in conditions at times reminiscent of those under Saddam Hussein.
Under Iraqi law, a new prisoner is meant to see a judge or lawyer within 24 hours and the newly passed constitution supposedly guarantees humane treatment. But even the innocent face up to a year in an overcrowded cell and risk being beaten by Iraqi prison staff to extract a confession.
The United Nations added its voice yesterday to the concern of human rights groups and Iraqi lawyers over the fate of Iraqi prisoners.
The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq said it was concerned about the large number of detainees held and suggested that Iraqi police and special forces abused human rights during security sweeps.