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'Changes needed' to Army training 'Changes needed' to Army training
(about 2 hours later)
Changes are needed to rectify serious flaws in the training UK soldiers get to deal with Iraqi prisoners, senior army officer Brig Robert Aitken says.Changes are needed to rectify serious flaws in the training UK soldiers get to deal with Iraqi prisoners, senior army officer Brig Robert Aitken says.
In a report he also said some changes had already been made, and he found no evidence of systemic abuse by soldiers.In a report he also said some changes had already been made, and he found no evidence of systemic abuse by soldiers.
The report was commissioned following allegations of abuse, including the case of Baha Mousa, 26, who died in custody with 93 injuries in 2003. The Army report was commissioned after allegations of abuse, including the case of Baha Mousa, 26, who died in custody with 93 injuries in 2003.
The head of the Army said he was "satisfied" the changes had worked. But lawyers acting for Iraqi civilians have said the report is a "whitewash".
'Guilty of abuse''Guilty of abuse'
Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the Army's chief of the general staff, said: "I'm extremely proud of what our soldiers have been doing in Iraq and Afghanistan in very difficult circumstances. Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the Army's chief of the general staff, said: "I'm now satisfied that the standards of behaviour are understood by all our people as they operate today in the difficult circumstances of Iraq and Afghanistan."
"But I take no pride in the activities of a very small number of our soldiers who have been found guilty of abuse in Iraq in 2003, 2004. The Aitken inquiry lacks any independence or rigour, is a complete red herring and represents a whitewash Phil ShinerPublic Interest Lawyers class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7208282.stm">Army learns lessons
"We've reflected in this report on those events, we've endeavoured to learn from our experiences, change some of our processes of training and the way we prepare, educate and train our soldiers for these operations. "I take no pride in the activities of a very small number of our soldiers who have been found guilty of abuse in Iraq in 2003, 2004."
"I'm now satisfied that the standards of behaviour are understood by all our people as they operate today in the difficult circumstances of Iraq and Afghanistan." He added: "I'm extremely proud of what our soldiers have been doing in Iraq and Afghanistan in very difficult circumstances."
Brig Aitken's report said lessons needed to be learned from several cases of abuse of Iraqi prisoners. But Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) which represents civilians alleging abuse while in detention, was vehemently critical of the report's conclusions.
Key recommendations He said: "My firm alone is acting in cases apparently involving over 30 deaths in detention including executions.
"It was standard operating procedure to hood, stress and deprive detainees of sleep, water and food. Our clients have been subjected to torture, abuse and humiliation."
Court 'must decide'
He added: "What is important to understand is that the High Court will shortly have to decide whether to hold an independent and public inquiry into the UK's detention policy in Iraq.
"This report is completely irrelevant to the question the court must decide, namely whether the military justice system can satisfy the requirements that investigations into death and torture by the state be independent, effective, prompt and involve relatives.
"The Aitken inquiry lacks any independence or rigour, is a complete red herring and represents a whitewash."
In a written statement to MPs, Defence Secretary Des Brown said the report was rightly critical, but said the report had shown a great deal had been done to rectify the problems.
'Appalling acts'
He said: "Only the highest standards are acceptable to the Army and the Ministry of Defence as a whole.
"The Army has already done a great deal to improve its procedures and I am satisfied that the Army is doing everything possible to ensure that its personnel do not repeat the appalling acts that were perpetrated in these cases.
"I believe that Brigadier Aitken has demonstrated this in his report but we must not be complacent."
The report, commissioned by then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, said lessons needed to be learned from several cases of abuse of Iraqi prisoners.
These happened during the volatile period between 2003 and 2004, when the insurgency in Iraq began after the invasion.These happened during the volatile period between 2003 and 2004, when the insurgency in Iraq began after the invasion.
Key recommendations
The report said the changes to the Army's pre-deployment training needed to be made in order to prevent further abuses, and set out recommendations for improvements.The report said the changes to the Army's pre-deployment training needed to be made in order to prevent further abuses, and set out recommendations for improvements.
There were three key recommendations:
    		There were three key recommendations:
    • The Army must learn from the disciplinary process, in the same way as it does from other areas of its operations
    • The Army must learn from the disciplinary process, in the same way as it does from other areas of its operations
    • The Army must find ways to ingrain its high standards, values and standards of behaviour in its personnel
    • The Army must find ways to ingrain its high standards, values and standards of behaviour in its personnel
    • The Army must make sure administrative processes were used correctly
    • The Army must make sure administrative processes were used correctly
      • Changes already made include a training video that has been produced by the Army to display some of the lessons learned.Changes already made include a training video that has been produced by the Army to display some of the lessons learned.
      It tells soldiers only to use plastic cuffs on unco-operative prisoners and never to take photos of prisoners.It tells soldiers only to use plastic cuffs on unco-operative prisoners and never to take photos of prisoners.
      AsphyxiationAsphyxiation
      One of the cases to trigger the investigation was that of Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, who died from asphyxiation while in British army custody in Basra in 2003One of the cases to trigger the investigation was that of Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, who died from asphyxiation while in British army custody in Basra in 2003
      Nine others detained at the same time testified to suffering beatings and ill-treatment.Nine others detained at the same time testified to suffering beatings and ill-treatment.
      A court martial acquitted six out of seven servicemen, while the seventh was jailed for a year for mistreatment.A court martial acquitted six out of seven servicemen, while the seventh was jailed for a year for mistreatment.
      No further criminal charges are likely against individuals involved in the death of Mr Mousa, the government is expected to announce.No further criminal charges are likely against individuals involved in the death of Mr Mousa, the government is expected to announce.
      Are you in the armed forces? What are your views on this story? Send us your comments using the form below :Are you in the armed forces? What are your views on this story? Send us your comments using the form below :
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