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Abu Ghraib cell block
Abu Ghraib cell block

The Abu Ghraib prison (Arabic: سجن أبو غريب; also Abu Ghurayb) is in Abu Ghraib, an Iraqi city 32 km (20 mi) west of Baghdad. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language The city of Abu Ghraib ( Arabic: أبو غريب Abū Ghurayb For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Baghdad (بغداد) is the Capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate, with which it is also coterminous It became internationally known as a place where Saddam Hussein's government tortured and executed dissidents, and later as the site of Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal where the United States military's torture of Iraqi detainees was revealed in a series of photographs published in worldwide news media. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 Torture, according to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, is "any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental is intentionally A dissident, broadly defined is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine policy or institution Beginning in 2004 accounts of Abuse, Torture, Sodomy and Homicide of Prisoners held in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Torture, according to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, is "any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental is intentionally Detainee is a term used by certain governments and their military to refer to individuals held in custody such as those it does not classify and treat as either Prisoners of war

Under Saddam's Ba'ath government, it was known as Abu Ghraib Prison and had a reputation as a place of torture and some of the worst cases of torture in the modern world. The Arab Socialist Ba'th Party (also spelled Baath or Ba'ath; Arabic: حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي was founded in Damascus Torture, according to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, is "any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental is intentionally It was sometimes referred to in the Western media as "Saddam's Torture Central". The prison was renamed after United States forces expelled the former Iraqi government, which had called it the Baghdad Central Confinement Facility (BCCF) or Baghdad Central Correctional Facility. In May of 2004, Camp Avalanche, a tent camp on the grounds of Abu Ghraib for security detainees, changed its name to Camp Redemption at the request of a governing council member. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "

The prison complex was built by British contractors in the 1960s, and covered 280 acres (1. A prison, penitentiary, or correctional facility is a place in which individuals are physically confined or interned and usually deprived of a range of The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 15 km²) with a total of 24 guard towers. The size of a small town, the area was divided into five separate walled compounds for different types of prisoners. Each block contained a dining room, prayer room, exercise area and rudimentary washing facilities. Cells contained up to 40 people in a space four metres by four. By the fall of the government in 2003 the five compounds were designated for foreign prisoners, long sentences, short sentences, capital crimes and "special" crimes. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.

Map of Iraq highlighting Abu Ghraib
Map of Iraq highlighting Abu Ghraib

Contents

Under Saddam Hussein

See also: Human rights in Saddam's Iraq
Layout of the US-controlled Abu Ghraib prison
Layout of the US-controlled Abu Ghraib prison

Under the government of Saddam Hussein the facility was under the control of the Directorate of General Security (Al-Amn al-Amm) and was the site of the torture and execution of thousands of political prisoners—up to 4,000 prisoners are thought to have been executed there in 1984 alone. Iraq under Saddam Hussein had high levels of Torture and Mass murder. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 For the current Iraqi domestic intelligence agency see General Security Directorate (Iraq. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) During the 1990s human rights organization Amnesty International documented repeated events where as many as several hundred inmates were executed in a single episode. Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to These included hundreds executed in November 1996, and several hundred members of the Shi'a denomination killed in 1998 and 2001. Amnesty reported that it could not produce a complete picture of events at the prison due to government secrecy. It was also the reputed location of Saddam Hussein's alleged shredder. In the runup to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, press stories appeared in the United Kingdom and United States of a plastic shredder into which Saddam and

The section for political inmates of Abu Ghraib was divided into "open" and "closed" wings. The closed wing housed only Shi'ites. They were not allowed visitors or any outside contact.

Coalition prisoners were held and tortured in Abu Ghraib during the Persian Gulf War, including the British Special Air Service patrol Bravo Two Zero. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Special Air Service ( SAS) is a Special forces regiment within the British Army which has served as a model and inspiration for the special Bravo Two Zero ( B20) was the Callsign of an eight-man British Army SAS patrol during the First Gulf War 1991.

In 2001 the prison is thought to have held as many as 15,000 inmates. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Hundreds of Shi'a Kurds and Iraqi citizens of Iranian ethnicity had reportedly been held there incommunicado and without charges since the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Guards fed shredded plastic to prisoners. There are allegations that some of these detainees were subjected to experiments as part of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons program.

The prison was reportedly abandoned just prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq when Saddam announced general amnesty for virtually all the nation's prisoners. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia An expansion project began in early 2002 that would add six new blocks to the prison. [1] In October 2002, Saddam Hussein gave amnesty to most prisoners in Iraq. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 After the prisoners were released, the prison was left empty to be vandalized and looted. Almost all of the documents relating to prisoners were piled and burnt inside of prison offices and cells, leading to extensive structural damage.

Known mass-graves related to Abu Ghraib

In the area of Khan Dhari, west of Baghdad

Mass grave with the bodies of political prisoners from Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad. 15 victims were executed on 26 December, 1998 and buried by prison authorities under the cover of darkness.

Al-Zahedi, on the western outskirts of Baghdad

Secret graves near a civilian cemetery with the bodies of almost 1000 political prisoners. According to an eye witness, ten to 15 bodies arrived at a time from the Abu Ghraib prison and were buried by local civilians. An execution on 10 December 1999 in Abu Ghraib claimed the lives of 101 people in one day. On 9 March, 2000, 58 prisoners were killed at a time. The last corpse interred was number 993. [2]

Under the US-led coalition

See also: Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse
Front gate of the prison seen from the highway
Front gate of the prison seen from the highway

Until August, 2006, the site known as the Abu Ghraib prison was used by both the U.S.-led coalition occupying Iraq and the Iraqi government. Beginning in 2004 accounts of Abuse, Torture, Sodomy and Homicide of Prisoners held in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq Iraq War|2007 in Iraq|2008 in IraqThe post-invasion period in Iraq The area of the facility known as "the Hard Site" is under the complete control of the Iraqi government and is used for housing convicted criminals. The Hard Site is best known from the abuse scandal pictures, the photos of which were all taken in Tier 1 of the complex. The remainder of the facility was occupied by the United States military. It served as both a FOB (Forward Operating Base) and a detention facility. All detainees are housed in an area known as "Camp Redemption. " The camp is divided into 5 security levels. This recently built (Summer of 2004) camp replaced the three level setup of Camp Ganci, Camp Vigilant and Tier 1.

The prison has been used as a detention facility, holding more than 7,000 people at its peak in early 2004. The current population, however, is much smaller. This is, in part, because the new Camp Redemption has a much smaller capacity than Camp Ganci alone had. Many detainees have been sent from Abu Ghraib to Camp Bucca for this reason. Camp Bucca is a prison camp maintained by the United States Military in the vicinity of Umm Qasr Iraq. All people being held by the United States military were housed in Camp Redemption, some of which are suspected rebels, some suspected criminals. Convicted criminals are transferred to the Iraqi run Hard Site.

Picture of Satar Jabar, one of the prisoners subjected to torture at Abu Ghraib.
Picture of Satar Jabar, one of the prisoners subjected to torture at Abu Ghraib. Satar "Peller" Jabar was a prisoner at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, Iraq, during the early years of the U

In late April 2004, U.S. television news-magazine 60 Minutes broke a story that had been taken from The New Yorker involving regular torture and humiliation of Iraqi inmates by a small group of U. 2004: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Not to be confused with the BBC news magazine program Sixty Minutes (TV series. The New Yorker is an American Magazine that publishes reportage commentary criticism essays fiction satire cartoons and poetry S. soldiers. The story included photographs depicting the torture of prisoners, and resulted in a substantial political scandal within the U. S. and other coalition countries. For more information see Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse. Beginning in 2004 accounts of Abuse, Torture, Sodomy and Homicide of Prisoners held in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq

On April 20, 2004 forty mortar rounds were fired into the prison by insurgents. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Twenty-two detainees were killed and 92 wounded. The attack was viewed as either as an attempt to incite a riot or retribution for detainees cooperating with the United States. [3]

In May 2004 the US-led coalition embarked on a prisoner release policy to try to reduce numbers to fewer than 2000. Despite numerous large releases and transfers to Camp Bucca, this goal has yet to be obtained due to the number of incoming detainees. Camp Bucca is a prison camp maintained by the United States Military in the vicinity of Umm Qasr Iraq.

In a May 24, 2004 address at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania, United States President George W. Bush announced that the prison would be demolished. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre (2 km² campus of the historic Carlisle The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. On June 14 Iraqi interim President Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer indicated that he opposed this decision, and on June 21 U. Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer (غازي مشعل عجيل الياور a member of the Shammar tribe (born March 11 1958 in Mosul, Iraq) was a S. military judge Col. James Pohl ruled that the prison was a crime scene and could not be demolished.

On April 2, 2005 the prison was attacked by between 40 and 60 insurgents. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Battle of Abu Ghraib refers to an April 2 2005 attack on United States forces at Abu Ghraib prison, which has been called " Between 20 and 44 Americans and 12 Iraqi prisoners were injured in the attack. In another battle the next day, several insurgents were killed and more than forty US soldiers and at least thirteen Iraqi prisoners injured. According to the US military, about fifty insurgents were injured and a few others killed. Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for both of the strikes. Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The

During the week ending August 27, 2005, nearly 1,000 detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison were released at the request of the Iraqi government. Events 479 BC - Greco-Persian Wars: Persian forces led by Mardonius are routed by Pausanias, the Spartan Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [4]

On December 4, 2005, Reuters reported that according to John Pace, human rights chief for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), those held in Abu Ghraib prison were among an estimated 14,000 people imprisoned in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546. "December 4th" redirects here For the song by Jay-Z, see December 4th (song. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This article is primarily about Reuters prior to its 2008 merger with Thomson Human rights refers to the "basic Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI was formally established on 14 August 2003. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546 was adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council at its 4987th meeting on 8 June 2004 According to Pace,

All prisoners in Iraq except those held by the Ministry of Justice are, technically speaking, held against the law because the Ministry of Justice is the only authority that is empowered by law to detain, to hold anybody in prison. [5]

Transfer to Iraqi control

On March 9, 2006, the U. Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. S. military decided to close Abu Ghraib prison and transfer prisoners to other jails in Iraq. [6]The prison was reported emptied of prisoners in August 2006. [7] On September 2, 2006, Abu Ghraib was formally handed over to Iraq's government. Ali al-Dabbagh, a spokesman for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, stated "The Abu Ghraib detention facility was handed over to the Iraqi government. " The formal transfer was conducted between Major General Jack Gardner, Commander of Task Force 134, and representatives of the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and the Iraqi army. John D 'Jack' Gardner is a Lieutenant General in the United States Army. [8]


Detainees

See also

References

  1. ^ Abu Ghurayb Prison (2005). Retrieved on 2006-03-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty
  2. ^ [ http://afhr.org/download/english.pdf Archaeologists for Human Rights (PDF)]
  3. ^ 22 killed in Baghdad mortar attack. USA Today (2004). Retrieved on 2006-03-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty
  4. ^ Nearly 1,000 Abu Ghraib detainees released. CNN. com (2005). Retrieved on 2006-03-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty
  5. ^ "America 'abusing' mandate in Iraq", The Age, 6 December, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-09. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits  
  6. ^ US to transfer Abu Ghraib prisoners. Fairfax Digital (2006). Retrieved on 2006-03-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty
  7. ^ Nancy A. Youssef Abu Ghraib no longer houses any prisoners, Iraqi officials say McClatchy Newspapers August 26, 2006
  8. ^ Associated Press. The McClatchy Company is an American Publishing company based in Sacramento California, that operates a number of Newspapers and Websites Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. "Inmates transferred out of Abu Ghraib as coalition hands off control", September 3, 2006.  

External links

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