OUR MISSION
Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
Ghost Detainees
General Paul Kern told a U.S. Senate Committee that as many as 100 individuals could have been held off official registry lists at Abu Ghraib prison. The practice of holding ghost detainees appears to be an effort to hide individuals from Red Cross inspectors who visit prisons to evaluate the treatment of detainees.
It is not known how many individuals the U.S. may be holding in secret in other facilities around the world. A Human Rights First report, Ending Secret Detentions, estimated that ghost detainees were being held in at least two dozen locations. Human Rights First is concerned that this practice could lead to the further abuse and torture of those in U.S. custody.
Behind the Wire, an update to Ending Secret Detentions (PDF-486KB)
HRF Report Details Detention Of Ghost Prisoners (June, 2004) (PDF-384KB)
Secret DOJ Memo Authorized Taking Detainees Out of Iraq (10/26/04)
General Paul Kern told a U.S. Senate Committee that as many as 100 individuals could have been held off official registry lists at Abu Ghraib prison. The practice of holding ghost detainees appears to be an effort to hide individuals from Red Cross inspectors who visit prisons to evaluate the treatment of detainees.
It is not known how many individuals the U.S. may be holding in secret in other facilities around the world. A Human Rights First report, Ending Secret Detentions, estimated that ghost detainees were being held in at least two dozen locations. Human Rights First is concerned that this practice could lead to the further abuse and torture of those in U.S. custody.
Behind the Wire, an update to Ending Secret Detentions (PDF-486KB)
HRF Report Details Detention Of Ghost Prisoners (June, 2004) (PDF-384KB)
Secret DOJ Memo Authorized Taking Detainees Out of Iraq (10/26/04)
Letter of Support for Legislation Authorizing ICRC Access to All Detainees in
US Custody (PDF-283KB)
The Ghost Prisoners – Village Voice Commentary by Nat Hentoff (7/14/04)