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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Uganda unit 'tortured detainees' | Uganda unit 'tortured detainees' |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| An anti-terrorism unit in Uganda is responsible for the unlawful detention of suspects and torture, US-based Human Rights Watch says in a report. | An anti-terrorism unit in Uganda is responsible for the unlawful detention of suspects and torture, US-based Human Rights Watch says in a report. |
| Based on interviews with 25 alleged victims, the group says that suspects had been held for up to 11 months without access to families or lawyers. | Based on interviews with 25 alleged victims, the group says that suspects had been held for up to 11 months without access to families or lawyers. |
| It said they were severely beaten and some died as a result of torture. | It said they were severely beaten and some died as a result of torture. |
| An army spokesman told AFP news agency that torture was not condoned and the allegations would be investigated. | An army spokesman told AFP news agency that torture was not condoned and the allegations would be investigated. |
| "Institutionally, we do not condone or practice torture. We are actually at the forefront of advancing human rights," Maj Felix Kulaiyigye said. | "Institutionally, we do not condone or practice torture. We are actually at the forefront of advancing human rights," Maj Felix Kulaiyigye said. |
| 'Pattern of arrests' | 'Pattern of arrests' |
| HRW said one of the illegal detention centres was in the upmarket Kampala suburb of Kololo, which is dotted with the luxury mansions and ambassadors' residences. | HRW said one of the illegal detention centres was in the upmarket Kampala suburb of Kololo, which is dotted with the luxury mansions and ambassadors' residences. |
| They had been beaten both with fists but with the butts of guns, with shoes, batons, with chairs Maria BurnettHuman Rights Watch | They had been beaten both with fists but with the butts of guns, with shoes, batons, with chairs Maria BurnettHuman Rights Watch |
| Another was based at the military intelligence headquarters in Kitante, another suburb of the capital. | Another was based at the military intelligence headquarters in Kitante, another suburb of the capital. |
| HRW said it had documented 106 cases of illegal detention by the Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force (Jatt). | HRW said it had documented 106 cases of illegal detention by the Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force (Jatt). |
| Many of the arrests had occurred in the months leading up to Uganda's hosting of the November 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, HRW said. | Many of the arrests had occurred in the months leading up to Uganda's hosting of the November 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, HRW said. |
| The group's researcher, Maria Burnett, said victims had given detailed accounts of their treatment. | The group's researcher, Maria Burnett, said victims had given detailed accounts of their treatment. |
| "There seems to be a pattern of arrests, in which the arresting officer does not identify himself," she told the BBC's Network Africa programme. | "There seems to be a pattern of arrests, in which the arresting officer does not identify himself," she told the BBC's Network Africa programme. |
| "People are arrested and put into unmarked cars. The detention there can be anywhere from one week to many months, in some cases upwards of 11 months." | "People are arrested and put into unmarked cars. The detention there can be anywhere from one week to many months, in some cases upwards of 11 months." |
| 'Red chilli paste' | 'Red chilli paste' |
| She said many of those who were interviewed had been very badly treated. | She said many of those who were interviewed had been very badly treated. |
| The 2007 Commonwealth summit was a focus of opposition protests | |
| "They had been beaten both with fists but with the butts of guns, with shoes, batons, with chairs. | "They had been beaten both with fists but with the butts of guns, with shoes, batons, with chairs. |
| "In one particularly brutal episode detainees had kamurali - the red chilli pepper that had been turned into a paste - rubbed into their eyes and nose and mouth during the interrogation." | "In one particularly brutal episode detainees had kamurali - the red chilli pepper that had been turned into a paste - rubbed into their eyes and nose and mouth during the interrogation." |
| She said there were a few instances in which HRW believed people died as a result of the torture. | She said there were a few instances in which HRW believed people died as a result of the torture. |
| And according to eyewitnesses, in 2007 Jatt agents shot and killed a former detainee at his home after his release. | And according to eyewitnesses, in 2007 Jatt agents shot and killed a former detainee at his home after his release. |
| Some detainees described being shocked with electricity. | Some detainees described being shocked with electricity. |
| We are tired of such malicious, baseless reports Judith NabakoobaPolice spokesperson | We are tired of such malicious, baseless reports Judith NabakoobaPolice spokesperson |
| Another said he had lost a leg because of infection in a wound caused by a severe beating. | Another said he had lost a leg because of infection in a wound caused by a severe beating. |
| Formed in 1999, Jatt draws its personnel from the police and intelligence organisations. | Formed in 1999, Jatt draws its personnel from the police and intelligence organisations. |
| Earlier, police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the claims were untrue. | Earlier, police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the claims were untrue. |
| "We are tired of such malicious, baseless reports," she told AP news agency. | "We are tired of such malicious, baseless reports," she told AP news agency. |
| "They want to make such reports to account for the money they get from their donors." | "They want to make such reports to account for the money they get from their donors." |