NEWS YOU WON'T FIND ON CNN
US marines accused of Afghan abuse
American authorities have reportedly launched an inquiry into allegations of sexual and physical abuse by US marines against 35 villagers in central Afghanistan.
Taliban Country: Broadcast 08/11/04 SBS Dateline Earlier this year when the photographs of the prisoners at Abu Ghraib became public, they sent shockwaves around the world. The abuse of the naked men in humiliating positions seemed deliberately designed to offend the religious and cultural sensitivities of Islamic prisoners. The Americans claimed however, that this treatment was isolated and had been stopped. But tonight there are new allegations of bizarre tactics being used by US marines in Afghanistan, as recently as June, Carmela Baranowska reports. And a warning, if there are any kids still up there is some strong language in this report. Copyright: SBS US marines accused of Afghan abuse 08/11/04 "The Age" -- American authorities have reportedly launched an inquiry into allegations of sexual and physical abuse by US marines against 35 villagers in central Afghanistan. The allegations were aired last night in an SBS Dateline report by Melbourne journalist Carmela Baranowska, who was feared kidnapped by the Taliban in late June. In the report, former prisoners alleged US marines used the tactic of sexual humiliation, which Baranowska described as similar to that which occurred at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Baranowska said she was initially embedded with US forces before travelling independently through Oruzgan province in remote central Afghanistan. She investigated the cases of 35 men who had been detained for up to five days by US marines on suspicion of being involved with the Taliban or al-Qaeda. At the conclusion of the report it was announced that all the allegations had been put to US authorities and last night they had confirmed that 35 villagers were detained on June 23. In the television report, 27-year-old Afghan villager Wali Mohammad described in graphic detail his alleged abuse by 20 Americans soldiers. "They fingered us, beat us and humiliated us," he said. "There were youngsters as well. They took off my clothes... fingering the anus is against Islam. "They were all laughing and mocking." Dateline reported that the authorities said they did not have any records of abuse but in light of the program they had announced an inquiry into the matter. On Monday, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the Federal Government had not been made aware of the allegations. Copyright: AAP (In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Information Clearing House has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Information Clearing House endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
Copyright: SBS
08/11/04 "The Age" -- American authorities have reportedly launched an inquiry into allegations of sexual and physical abuse by US marines against 35 villagers in central Afghanistan.
The allegations were aired last night in an SBS Dateline report by Melbourne journalist Carmela Baranowska, who was feared kidnapped by the Taliban in late June.
In the report, former prisoners alleged US marines used the tactic of sexual humiliation, which Baranowska described as similar to that which occurred at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
Baranowska said she was initially embedded with US forces before travelling independently through Oruzgan province in remote central Afghanistan.
She investigated the cases of 35 men who had been detained for up to five days by US marines on suspicion of being involved with the Taliban or al-Qaeda.
At the conclusion of the report it was announced that all the allegations had been put to US authorities and last night they had confirmed that 35 villagers were detained on June 23.
In the television report, 27-year-old Afghan villager Wali Mohammad described in graphic detail his alleged abuse by 20 Americans soldiers.
"They fingered us, beat us and humiliated us," he said.
"There were youngsters as well. They took off my clothes... fingering the anus is against Islam.
"They were all laughing and mocking."
Dateline reported that the authorities said they did not have any records of abuse but in light of the program they had announced an inquiry into the matter.
On Monday, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the Federal Government had not been made aware of the allegations.
Copyright: AAP
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Information Clearing House has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Information Clearing House endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
Join our Daily News Headlines Email Digest
Information Clearing House
Daily News Headlines Digest
HOME
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
