UN anti-torture panel urges US to cease indefinite detention without charge

GENEVA (Xinhua) - The United Nations Committee against Torture on Friday unveiled its concluding observations over the United States on its implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The concluding observations came after the Committee considered the combined third to fifth periodic report by the US delegation submitted at its meetings held on Nov. 12 to 13.

The Committee expressed its grave concern over the extraordinary rendition, secret detention and interrogation program operated by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) between 2001 and 2008, which involved numerous human rights violations, including torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearance of persons suspected of involvement in terrorism-related crimes.

The Committee urged the United States to ensure that no one is held in secret detention under its effective control and take all necessary measures to ensure that their legislative, administrative and other anti-terrorism measures are compatible with the provisions of the Convention.

It called for the declassification and prompt public release of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's report on the CIA's secret detention and interrogation program with minimal redactions.

The Committee was deeply concerned about the fact that the country continues to hold a number of individuals without charge at Guantanamo Bay detention facilities.

According to the figures provided by the US side, to date, out of the 148 men still held at the facility, only 33 have been designated for potential prosecution, either in federal court or by military commissions, which failed to meet international fair trial standards.

The Committee called upon the United Sates to take immediate and effective measures to cease the use of indefinite detention without charge or trial for individuals suspected of terrorism-related activities and ensure that detainees held at Guantanamo designated for potential prosecution be charged and tried in ordinary federal civilian courts.

In terms of the excessive use of force and police brutality, the Committee particularly concerned at the reported current police violence in Chicago, especially against African-American and young Latin people who are allegedly being consistently profiled, harassed and subjected to excessive force by police officers.

The Committee called on the United States to ensure that all instances of police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement officers are investigated promptly, effectively and impartially by an independent mechanism with no institutional or hierarchical connection between the investigators and the alleged perpetrator and provide effective remedies and rehabilitation to the victims.

In addition, the Committee requested the country to provide follow-up information in response to the Committee's recommendations related to ensuring or strengthening legal safeguards for person detained, conducting, prompt, impartial, effective investigations and so on by Nov. 28 next year.