MUSCAT, 10 May 2004 — The Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad has sparked off an explosive scandal that has shown the true colors of the coalition forces. It has also provided an insight into the kind of torture Iraqi prisoners of war undergo.
Over five consecutive days, international satellite television channels transmitted disgusting photographs that brought to light immoral practices and blatant violation of human dignity and rights.
Soldiers of the US-led coalition forces who came to Iraq promising liberation and restoration of human dignity and security to Iraqi people committed all of these atrocities!
The photographs shocked the whole world. Mind you, pictures never lie. Immediate condemnation was issued from all quarters as world leaders expressed shock, dismay and rejection of such inhuman practices, calling for an urgent investigation and punishment of all those responsible for the crimes.
The leaders of the coalition forces, US President George W. Bush included, have deplored the violations.
Condemnation is fine, but it is not enough. The scandal requires immediate action and severe punishment to the guilty. Of course, all this would not compensate the poor prisoners for the pain and humiliation they were subjected to. What has happened in the Abu Ghraib prison is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. History has a record of cases where the US tortured prisoners in countries where it maintained military presence. The Guantanamo camp, where many have been detained for years without trial, is proof of blatant violation of human rights.
Why should prisoners be tortured? Why should they be subjected to horrendous methods? Some of the photographs showed the prisoners in inhuman situations while the prison guards enjoyed themselves, with smiles spread across their faces, as if they were watching an entertaining film.
The shocking revelations showed the true colors of the coalition forces, who entered Baghdad under the motto of liberating the people from the injustice of the Saddam regime. Alas, what the photos of Abu Ghraib torture tell us is more horrible than what had happened during the previous regime.
Day-by-day the situation in Iraq is getting worse as the country plunges into an abyss of violence and mayhem.
This is despite the American promises of security and stability and a life of peace and prosperity, all of which still remain just that — mere promises. And, if anything, the situation has only become worse than that during the Saddam regime.
The world in general has agreed on the need to give the Iraq file to the UN because it is responsible for the situation in Iraq as per international law. We know that the US entered Iraq without the approval of the world body but in accordance with its own whims. The result is: America is in a swamp, losing soldiers by the day.
The Abu Ghraib prison scandal proves the point beyond any doubt: It is time Iraq was handed over to the UN so that it could save what could be saved.
— Essa bin Mohammed Al-Zedjali is editor in chief of The Times of Oman.
