US occupying forces are filling Saddam’s Prisons

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ
US occupying forces are filling Saddam’s Prisons

During the past week the US occupation forces have published figures on the number of prisoners they are holding in their network of dungeons and concentration camps throughout Iraq. A US occupation spokesman, Major Karol Patrick, reported that the total number of prisoners was 13,144 located in nine prison camps throughout the country.

At a press conference correspondents asked why the Americans were holding members of the Iraqi Resistance, since international law regards resistance to an occupying power in one’s country as a right and not a crime. This question was especially pertinent in view of the fact that the UN has classified the military forces in Iraq as occupation forces. Patrick answered only that he was not a legal expert and that his mission was only to kill or capture those who attempt to harm the security of the occupation forces or their local allies (puppets).

At the press conference Patrick said that the prisoners held fall into several classifications.

Betraying their like of the “T” word together with a “Rumsfeldian” penchant for confusion, one classification is “terrorist security prisoner”. The number of persons in that category is a staggering 7,727. Another classification is “prisoner of war”. The occupiers are now holding 18 POWs. They were taken prisoner by the invasion forces during the battles that took place in Iraq before 9 April 2003.

There are also “ordinary prisoners” who have been detained for ordinary criminal offences such as car theft. They number 1,209.

Patrick said that another category of prisoner is the “black list”. The “black list” consists of those 55 persons whom the invader forces originally listed as their “most wanted” leaders, chief among them being Saddam Hussein. Patrick said, however, that the “black list” is not a regular classification of prisoners and does not show up in statistical breakdowns of prisoners by classification.

Regarding the difficulties experienced by Iraqis trying to find and contact their loved ones in the clutches of the occupation authorities, Patrick said that the occupation forces have intended to gather the prisoners into a few major centers, such as the Abu Ghurayb prison west of Baghdad, in order to make it easier for family members to locate their imprisoned loved ones.

Patrick said that prisoners in the “terrorist security prisoner” category are not at present allowed visits. Visits are permitted only to those in jail for “ordinary crimes.”

Patrick acknowledged that some of the prisoners might be the victims of false denunciations or plots but said that such cases would take time to investigate.

Patrick said that there is a program for conditional release that prisoners can avail themselves of. One of the most prominent requirements for taking advantage of that program is for the prisoner to confess that he was involved in the activity for which he was charged (what is euphemistically known as forced confessions) and to bring a guardian who will guarantee his pledge not to engage in violence against the aggressor forces. Patrick said that 157 persons have been released under guarantee of such guardians, out of a total of 500 prisoners whom US Proconsul Paul Bremer announced could be released two months ago.

Regarding sexual assaults that some prisoners said US guards had inflicted upon them, Patrick said he doubted such reports. Gareth Bayly, a spokesman for the occupation authorities said that no one has formally presented charges backed up with evidence of such crimes against any American soldiers to the so-called Iraqi ministry of justice.

These statements of the Americans will surprise no one. Also we shouldn’t be surprised by the recent revelation that the Americans have built up more than 5 million Muslim names worldwide on their “danger” list. Those held in Afghanistan are not reported, as are the US’s growing list of casualties in a war that was supposed to close down the ‘terrorists’. With a list of 5 million plus on their database and the prisons everywhere seemingly ballooning at least there’s no doubt in our minds as to who their real enemy is.

Saddam ruled Iraq by Kufr. The Baathists employed brutality and torture in order to subdue the people. Imprisonment of those that opposed their illegitimate rule was the mainstay of their oppressive regime. Extensive use of intelligence gathering relating to the people’s affairs was their key to keeping a tight grip on the Iraqi people. So currently, the prisons are full, the people are spied upon and bloodshed is rife. So in this respect what has actually changed in this region of the Islamic world?

Khilafah.com Journal
22 Muharram 1425 Hijri
13 March 2004

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