ICFTU OnLine...
080/060504
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS
Brussels, 6th May 2004 (ICFTU Online): The ICFTU today condemned acts of
abuse and violence by coalition forces against prisoners detained in
Iraq. Allegations of violence, humiliation and even killing of
prisoners must be fully and openly investigated, and any persons
responsible for carrying out such extreme violations of international
law must be brought to justice, according to the world's largest
international trade union confederation.
Inhuman and degrading treatment of this sort is totally unacceptable,
and discredits not only the perpetrators, but also those in positions of
responsibility, who must bear the consequences for acts committed by
persons under their authority.
The ICFTU calls for full cooperation by all parties with the
investigation being undertaken by the UN Human Rights Commission
(UNHRC). The Confederation also fully supports Acting UNHRC
Commissioner Bertrand Ramcharan's appeal last month for greater scrutiny
of the situation in Iraq.
The ICFTU represents over 151 million workers in 233 affiliated
organisations in 152 countries and territories. ICFTU is also a member
of Global Unions: http://www.global-unions.org
For more information, please contact the ICFTU Press Department on +32 2
224 0232 or +32 476 621 018.
Posted at May 6, 2004 04:58 PM