Secretary-General ‘deeply disturbed’ by media pictures

of iraqi prisoners being mistreated

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was deeply disturbed by the pictures of Iraqi prisoners being mistreated and humiliated by their guards in the Abu Gharib prison.  He hopes that this was an isolated incident and welcomes what appears to be a clear determination on the part of the US military to bring those responsible to justice, and to prevent such abuses in the future.  In all circumstances, and in all places, the Secretary-General is strongly opposed to the mistreatment of detainees.  He reiterates that all detainees should be fully protected in accordance with the provisions of international human rights law. 

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