All Afghan interrogation centers to be equipped with video cameras: Karzai

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:15PM GMT

President Hamid Karzai has ordered all interrogation facilities in Afghanistan to be equipped with video cameras in order to prevent the torture of detainees.

'Relevant authorities are required to equip the intelligence and investigating agencies... with modern equipment (and) devices... and videotape the interrogation process,' Karzai said in a decree released by his office.

The move on Saturday is in response to a report released in January by the United Nations, suggesting the abuse of prisoners during interrogations.

The government in Kabul launched an investigation into the UN report.

The Afghan president further backed his decision by saying that the move would help "eliminate any chance or place for complaints from other parties" regarding prisoner abuse.

In the report, the UN said that 326 of 635 prisoners, including 80 minors, interviewed across Afghanistan claimed they had been abused.

At least 14 forms of torture, including beatings with cables and pipes, threats of execution or rape, electric shocks, and painful stress positions were described in the report.

Karzai has ordered the attorney general to prosecute the perpetrators of torture "to avoid any suspect, convict, or prisoner tortured in the future."

Afghan law-enforcement bodies, police, and intelligence agencies have also been ordered to avoid mistreating detainees. Prisoners are to be provided with lawyers.

Karzai has also ordered a decree banning Afghan forces from asking US-led foreign troops to conduct air raids in the country under "any circumstances."

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of combating terrorism. While the war removed the Taliban from power, insecurity continues to be high across the country.

SZH/JR