July 1 2003 -keralamonitor.com
Civil Defence also announces the launch of a new portal offering for online services Letters to the Editor Jerry Thomas, Crusader of Teachers Right in Indian Schools IBM Unveils New ThinkCentre Desktop Family Travel with peace of mind this summer HolidayGuard Travel Insurance now available on mytravelchannel.com
Al Alamiah Electronics prepares the Islamic University for the e-Government Project
Engineer Nader Amin, General Manager, Services & Products, Al Alamiah Electronics, who is also responsible for supervising the project.
The infrastructure is in place for one of the largest university projects in the region
The project laid down a comprehensive infrastructure for the Islamic University; from laying cables & building a network covering a large geographical area to supplying all necessary equipment & software Al Alamiah Electronics Co., a major IT company in the region, recently announced that it has completed the execution of a large scale project on the premises of the Islamic University, al-Madina al-Monawara. This project is one of the largest technological endeavors in the area, as various universities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enter the development scene.
The project involved the supply and installation of a central unit containing the main equipment at the IT & Computer Centre which is essential for establishing a modern network electronically connecting all the interior & exterior buildings of the university. The project also involved supplying the necessary administrative equipment and software, as well as the applications for the university's educational and administrative departments.
"This project is an expression of the University's keenness to keep up with the technological advances of the modern era, particularly where it concerns computer systems," commented Dr. Khaled Al Hazimi, Administrative, IT & Computer Advancement Supervisor, Islamic University, explaining the magnitude of this project.
Al Alamiah (http://www.al-alamiah.com) is a major league player among Arab IT companies and a pioneer in the field of system & program development. In addition to providing computers & computer accessories, Al Alamiah's services extend to providing comprehensive network solutions for projects involving the operation and maintenance of computer centers, as well as technical support, IT training and personnel development.
This particular endeavor, which included the execution of a central network connecting the University's colleges with its administration, thereby automating & electronically transmitting administrative operations, is the first phase of a project supervised by the IT & Computer Centre at the Islamic University. "It was only natural that the Islamic University would contract Al Alamiah Electronics Co. for this project, as our company is one of the largest & most experienced in this field," Dr. Al Hazimi commented. He added "This endeavor is a step towards preparing for the e-Government project in al-Madina al-Monawara, a revolutionary project which H.H. Prince Moqrin bin Abdul Aziz, Prince of al-Madina al-Monawara is aspiring to achieve."
"We are proud of the trust the Islamic University, al-Madina al-Monawara, has placed in our company's technological capabilities for executing a project of this magnitude," stated Engineer Nader Amin, General Manager, Services & Products, Al Alamiah Electronics, who is also responsible for supervising the project. He also explained that this project was executed in strict accordance with the highest specifications and standards.
In order to achieve maximum speed covering the distances between the buildings within the University's premises, the network's infrastructure of optic fiber cables capable of transmitting 1000 MB per second have been carefully & safely laid underground thereby electronically connecting these buildings. In the interior, Enhanced Cat5e cables were installed. These cables can support data transmission reaching 200 MB per second. The complete network consists of 585 points, distributed over the various buildings and supported by stationary high-speed transmitters and organized cabins which simplify the network's maintenance. Also installed was an advanced, high-speed Internet network and MS-Exchange based email serving all the departments within the university.
Jerry Thomas, Crusader of Teachers Right in Indian Schools
30 - 6 - 03Dear Editor,
It is a long time since I wanted to write to you.
Since your investigative journalism was dying a slow
death and you had been pressurized by powers that be
not to publish anything about my case in your brave
portal, I had stopped writing to you.You might remember me. I am Jerry Thomas, illegally
dismissed teacher of the Indian School - Tehran, Iran.
Because of you and your brave portal I was able to get
some justice from my detractors, but not for long. By
then they had gotten to you and forced you to stop the
crusade against evil. Anyway that is all right.At present I am in India and I am working in a reputed
school as a Principal. (I won't disclose the name due
to obvious reasons) Today I received an email from a
friend of mine in Tehran giving a clear picture of the
situation still prevailing over there.Please go through the mail and judge for yourself what
is happening over there in Tehran. You can contact the
person yourself and find out the truth of the matter.You have been misled by the evil forces and so you
stopped the crusade for truth, not realizing what was
actually happening. Talk to the people concerned or
mail them and find out for yourself.Grave injustice is being done to the Indian community
living in Tehran, by the Indian Embassy. Please do
something to protect them and their interests. Please
do not allow evil forces to triumph like this, when
you have the power to do something.Your news portal was a crusader and a powerful weapon
against injustice. Please continue to be so. I don't
know whether Mr. XXX is still there in Kerala
Monitor. He was an ace and a go getter. Please take
some action against the evil doings of the Embassy of
India.I came back from Tehran in February, but still the
Embassy of India is targeting and punishing Indians
who were my family friends and well wishers.When I was teaching in the Indian school, for 7 years
there was not a single failure in English in the Board
examinations. This time there were two failures and
hardly any distinctions. In the STD. XII, not even a
single one. Now you can judge the matter from this
itself. You can ask for clarification from the Indian
school, or the Indian Embassy.Please do not stop the crusade. The world has hardly
any brave and conscientious people nowadays. You were
one; do not go the way of ordinary people. Let us
stand firm in the face of injustice and evil. Let us
overcome injustice and evil with truth.Please do something to help the poor Indian community
being victimized in Tehran.Yours lovingly,
Jerry ThomasIBM Unveils New ThinkCentre Desktop Family
Adrian Horne, IBM PCD EMEA spokesperson and Product Specialist, visited the region to launch the new range of IBM ThinkCentre PCs to customers and partners
New ThinkCentres break records with price, performance and features in powerful new models – including the tiny ThinkCentre S50, half the size of previous models
Dubai, UAE – 29 June 2003 – IBM Middle East announced today the first models of its redesigned PC line, the new ThinkCentre desktop, offering innovative new ThinkVantage Technologies designed to help its customers reduce system operating costs and increase productivity.
The ThinkCentre S50 is the highlight in visual appeal…62% smaller than normal IBM PCs, its ultra-small footprint is deal for applications where space is at a premium (its only 309mm x 359mm x 85mm). It shares the same easy access and tool-free chassis design as its bigger siblings, the M50 and A50p full-sized desktop models, where maintenance, upgrades and service is dramatically simplified for customers “Our ‘Think’ strategy is based on the belief that innovation matters. By redefining the overall experience and costs of owning PCs, our customers gain a more valuable computing experience,” said Sameh Farid, Personal Computing Division manager for IBM Middle East Egypt and Pakistan. “Today’s business is measured in terms of increased productivity, reduced cost and increased profits. IBM’s ThinkCentre desktops address these real business issues.”
The new models announced today are equipped with IBM ThinkVantage Technologies such as Rapid Restore PC, which help education and corporate customers alike to dramatically reduce the number of desk-side service visits and help centre calls, resulting in significant productivity and dollar savings.Higher performance, easier maintenance
The ThinkCentre S50, M50 and A50p all feature a new internal architecture that capitalizes on the hyper-threading capabilities of Intel's Pentium 4 processor, which improves performance by multitasking. New ThinkCentre models also include a tool-free chassis design, which simplifies and enhances usability. Encased in a durable steel chassis, components inside the machine, such as the hard disk and memory, can easily be removed by the customer, making the PC serviceable and upgradeable, helping to limit the downtime and cost associated with on-site support. Cable routing is bundled out of the way for easy access to components and cable ends and user “touch points” are coloured blue to be easily identified by the user.
ThinkCentre desktops also feature an innovative “caddy” that surrounds the hard disk drive, locking it into place without the use of tools or screws. Rubber bumpers on the caddy decrease vibration and deliver quieter operation. Other mechanical improvements have been made to the overall design of the new ThinkCentre PCs, including improved airflow and appearance.
Three New Ways of Thinking
IBM also today introduced the ThinkCentre M50, with support for Red Hat and SuSE Linux. The M50 provides stability and manageability for the enterprise and is available with three improved mechanical designs. Each of these models shares a common system board and software image (per operating system), giving flexibility and image compatibility to organizations purchasing various models of the M50. Images on the S50 and M50 are compatible, enabling a single image to be deployed across multiple platforms. Both the S50 and M50 offer global models available in 68 countries and workhorse models that feature 12 months of planned hardware stability.
IBM also announces today the ThinkCentre A50p, a multimedia-centric machine offering a wide range of optical drives and video graphics adapters with up to 128MB DDR memory (1). Later this year, IBM will introduce its value-priced ThinkCentre A30, designed for small and medium-sized businesses, education and government customers who need a robust desktop at an economical price (2).
Leveraging ThinkVantage TechnologiesSelect models ThinkCentre S50, M50 and A50p desktops are equipped to take advantage of ImageUltra, IBM's innovative, patented image management technology designed to lower costs by reducing the number of software images managed by IT departments. The ThinkCentre S50, M50 and A50p also feature the new Access IBM button, a “portal to IBM support” that taps into a rich set of onboard resources, diagnostic tools, automated solutions, and links to updates and service on-line for customers with Internet access.
Select models of the new ThinkCentre S50, M50 and A50p desktops feature the IBM Embedded Security Subsystem, consisting of an integrated security chip and downloadable IBM Client Security Software. This hardware and software-based solution provides a higher level of security for the client, providing a secure repository for storing sensitive keys, identity information and confidential data. Select ThinkCentre models also offer industry standard technologies, such as Serial ATA, dual-channel memory and Intel's Pentium 4 processor with hyper-threading, improving overall system performance and efficiency.
New ThinkVision CRT MonitorsIBM today also announced the new ThinkVision C170 and C190 monitors, offering high quality CRT technology at an affordable price. Both monitors feature IBM ThinkVantage Design characteristics including an easy-to-use on-screen display for monitor adjustments, as well as quick and easy setup. The strong design of these displays compliment IBM's new ThinkCentre systems and peripherals to provide a synergistic family appearance. The ThinkVision C170 is a 17-inch monitor with a 16-inch viewable image size, the C190 is a 19-inch monitor with an 18-inch viewable image size, both displays have superior front of screen performance. Both ThinkVision C170 and C190 monitors meet TCO-99 (3) in its black version and TCO-03 (3) in its two-tone black version.
Travel with peace of mind this summer
HolidayGuard Travel Insurance now available on mytravelchannel.comDubai - 28 June 2003: Travellers from the region can now buy HOLIDAYGUARD travel insurance on the Middle East's most popular travel website, mytravelchannel.com. HOLIDAYGUARD is a comprehensive travel insurance policy arranged by Ketteridge Group Limited, and is underwritten 100% by certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London.
Norman Cloke, General Manger, Middle East Ketteridge Group Limited said, "We are delighted to go online for the first time with mytravelchannel.com with tailor made insurance cover for Middle East travellers. With the website being in English (at launch) and Arabic (soon after), travellers from this region will have complete peace of mind when they travel with HOLIDAYGUARD Travel Insurance."
Simon Lewis, E-Ventures Group Manager and Manager, mytravelchannel.com, said: "With access to the world's largest travel and hotel booking system offering an immense range of business and leisure travel options, we remain perfectly positioned to have HOLIDAYGUARD on board, adding value to our comprehensive travel services."
While illness and accidents can happen to anyone, children are particularly vulnerable to a different climate and cuisine when travelling and medical expenses in many parts of the world can be astronomical for travellers in case of an emergency. Apart from that, a delayed flight, loss of baggage, stolen passports among other mishaps can cause unforeseen problems and extra expenses. All these circumstances and more are covered by HOLIDAYGUARD.
Customers of HOLIDAYGUARD Travel Insurance are covered for incidents that include personal accident, emergency medical and other expenses, loss of personal possessions, cancellation or curtailment charges, interruption of travel services, personal liability, hijack, departure delays and legal expenses. More detailed information on cover can be accessed online when buying the insurance from mytravelchannel.com.
Added benefits include an in-house 24 hours emergency service, annual multi trip policies, special arrangements for passengers over 65 years of age, group discounts, cover for periods beyond 120 days and half price for children under 16 years (Infants under 3 years are free). There is a generous cover for cancellation charges and no restrictions on use of specified hospital groups.
To provide customers with more than just total travel solutions, mytravelchannel.com will be continuing to add value added services like travel insurance and run various other promotions and competitions in the coming months. Regular offers on flights, holidays, cruises and hotel stays will also feature on the site in partnership with airlines, cruise companies, tour operators, hotel groups and car hire companies.
CITYSCAPE TO PROVIDE VISION OF FUTURE CITIES DDIA BACKS PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND FDI SHOWCASE
June 29, 2003
Cityscape 2003, the Middle East’s only integrated commercial architecture, property investment and development exhibition and conference will provide a vision of the region's future cities when it opens in Dubai in October. Organiser IIR says Cityscape 2003 will spark discussion on best architectural practice and new and innovative construction techniques, as well as being a vehicle to educate and develop individuals within the industry.
Both the network-marketing exhibition and conference, that will take place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Dubai from October 18-20, are officially supported by the Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA). As a Government Authority, DDIA is committed to promoting the economic growth and development of Dubai by attracting corporate and private investors to the UAE and by facilitating the growth of leading local businesses and encouraging local entrepreneurs.
To meet these goals DDIA is tasked with developing strategies to attract inward private sector investment into Dubai, mobilising domestic capital resources for growth and innovation, marketing the business benefits of Dubai to leading global companies and helping leading local companies to develop additional added-value services for their businesses.
DDIA puts in place a conducive business environment that will facilitate building the infrastructure support required for this rapid growth, development and demographic expansion.
Among those exhibiting at Cityscape 2003 will be major international property developers; architects; design specialists; consulting engineers; project managers; lighting and landscape architects; finance and investment companies.
"Cityscape 2003 will enable exhibitors to influence and network with major developers, key organisations and governmental authorities who are involved in the design and construction of major public and private property developments," said Christopher Hudson, Event Director, IIR.
"There is no other Middle East event that combines a conference and exhibition, in the same venue, focusing on the design and facilitation of developments for the future.
"In only its second year Cityscape has established itself as one of the world's leading industry events, bringing everyone under one roof so they can build new relationships, rethink design methodologies, meet the challenges ahead with a unified approach and revel in being part of a developing and dynamic industry."
Companies already participating in the network marketing event include: Dubai Development & Investment Authority; Al Habtoor Engineering, Al Nakheel Group, Al Oula Real Estate Development, Al Sarab Consulting, Amlaki Finance, Amoudia Real Estate Development, Aqar Holdings, Arquitectonica, Atkins, Alsop Architects, Assa Abloy, Bentel Associates, Behnisch & Behnisch Architects, Cassia Associates, Convrgnt Value Engineering, Core Architects, Damac, and Dewan Architects & Engineers.
Other contracted participants include: Espial Consulting, Foster & Partners, Fusion, Gensler, Godwin Austen Johnson Architects, Halcrow, Hyder Consulting and Hopkins & Partners, Ian Banham Associates, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Leigh & Orange, Lynton Property Investment, LC Consulting, Martin Architectural, PHB Group, PT Group, Philips Lighting, RMJM Architects & Consulting Engineers, Roberts & Partners, RIKAZ, Tabreed, WS Atkins & Partners and Wimberley Alison Tong and Goo.
IIR says Cityscape's associated conference will be a window on how Middle East cities will develop as they strive to cope with rapidly rising populations and the demand for more housing and infrastructure. It will bring together leading architects, international and regional property investment and development experts and urban planners from the US, Europe, Middle East and Far East.
Key issues to be examined include trends in regional and global property management; the impact of freehold on regional property investment; strategic planning of cities, including sustainable urban environments; transitional and emerging investment markets; integrating facility and property management; innovations in property development financing; responsive urban approaches to cultures in transition; the impact of man and nature on the urban environment and the evolution of regional architecture.
International speakers will include: Sheikh Mohamed O Al Amoudi, Founder and Owner, Al Amoudi Group, Saudi Arabia; Esam Y Janahi, CEO, Gulf Finance House, Bahrain; James Wilson, Hotels and Resorts Advisor, IFA, Kuwait; Abdel-Rahman Solh, Director of Contracts and Corporate Marketing, Solidere, Lebanon; Sarman Zok, CEO Kingdom Hotels Group; Suresh Kumar, Emirates Bank; Stan Eichelbaum, President, Marketing Developments, US; John Shandwick, Managing Director, Encore Management, Switzerland; Professor William Alsop, Alsop Architects UK; Bernado Fort-Brescia, Arquitectonica Hong Kong; Jafer Tukan, Jordan; George Ferguson, President, the Royal British Institute of Architects; Andy Miller, Director Foster & Partners, Ken Yeang, Architect, T R Hamzah and Yeang, Malaysia; Rajeev Kathpalia, Partner, Vastu Shilpa Consultants, India and Asad Shaheed, Director, Development Planning (International) and Architecture, Halcrow, Middle East.
Among UAE speakers also confirmed are Saeed Al Muntafiq, Director General, Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA); Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Nakheel; Essam Al Tamimi, Managing Partner, Al Tamimi and Co and Dr Karim El Sohl, CEO, The National Investor.
The conference will include two workshops on the Valuation and Finance of Real Estate Projects and Retail Property Development. Platinum sponsors of Cityscape 2003 are, Nakheel Developers, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Aqar Developments, Almoudia Real Estate Development. The event's other sponsors are Al-Oula Development Company, Rikaz, Assa Abloy and Tabreed.
Department of Civil Defence signs MoU with Dubai eGovernment to adopt quality management and pursue new benchmarks in managerial processes
Civil Defence also announces the launch of a new portal offering for online services
June 29, 2003
The photograph of the MoU signing ceremony between the Department of Civil Defence and Dubai eGovernment. Seated from left to right are Colonel Ali Al Sayed, Director, Department of Civil Defence, Mr. Salem Al-Shair, Director eServices, Dubai eGovernment and Mr. Nasser Al Shamsi, IT Director, Department of Civil Defence.
Dubai - The Department of Civil Defence today (Sunday, June 29, 2003) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai eGovernment to implement change management programme within the department. Colonel Ali Al Sayed Ibrahim, Director, Department of Civil Defence and Salem Al-Shair, Director of eServices, Dubai eGovernment, signed the MoU. The Civil Defence Department also re-launched its portal, which has been fully integrated with the Dubai eGovernment portal www.dubai.ae, at a press conference.
"Change Management is a result-oriented process for organisations seeking to boost efficiency and performance in measurable terms. Business Process Reengineering (BPR), an effective tool in modern managements, forms a critical component of our strategy to adopt quality management and pursue new benchmarks in managerial processes. We believe Dubai eGovernment is the right partner to help us to migrate to the new processes. Further, the full integration of our portal with the Dubai eGovernment portal, will enable us to promote our services and core activities through a professionally managed platform that uses best-of-breed technologies and functions along international standards," said Colonel Ali Al Sayed Ibrahim.
"The Department of Civil Defence firmly believes that it can leverage technology and expertise of Dubai eGovernment for top-quality services. Dubai eGovernment has invested in leading edge IT systems that add value to service delivery, creating improved channels of transaction and optimising processes. These initiatives are in keeping with the directives of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, urging government departments to share their expertise and knowledge management systems as part of the eGovernment's final goal to migrate the community and business services to electronic platforms," added Colonel Ali Al Sayed Ibrahim.
"Information technology and the changing needs of customers have dramatically altered the way service providers deliver services. It has become essential to introduce innovation in business management to keep pace with changes and live up to the expectations of end-users. The Department of Civil Defence performs the critical task of protecting lives and property. We are extremely pleased to assist the department in re-engineering its business processes to enhance performance levels. Further, the integration of Civil Defence's portal with the Dubai eGovernment portal will add value to the delivery of services, including introducing of several interactive features," said Salem Al-Shair, Director of eServices, Dubai eGovernment. The change management process will first evaluate the procedures and services within the Department of Civil Defence. These procedures will be modified to eliminate delays and analyzed thoroughly to trigger optimized performance, increased efficiency and top quality.
"The Department of Civil Defence has integrated its web services with the unified Dubai eGovernment portal www.dubai.ae, to facilitate decentralized content management in a hi-tech and secure environment. More importantly, the department will have the autonomy to manage its own content and update information, while remaining an integral part of the portal." From this corporation between Dubai eGovernment and the Department of Civil Defence we will benefit from the cost effective change management tool," said Nasser Al Shamsi, IT Officer, Department of Civil Defence.
The integration of the Civil Defence portal with the Dubai eGovernment platform will help the department to provide comprehensive information on the department and its activities to a wider audience. The portal will also benefit from the facilities such as the payment gateway, the single sign in facility, eJob for online recruitment and eDelivery for quick delivery of documents to the various clients and customers. eDelivery and ePay are eServices soon be launched by Dubai eGovernment. "One of our key objectives in launching this new portal is to utilize the latest technologies available to increase the user friendliness of our portal and reach out to larger sections of society," said Al Shamsi.
Through the Dubai eGovernment site, the Department of Civil Defence website will provide updated information on its activities and services as well as educate the target groups on the latest technology in safety procedures through its scientific e-Newsletter, Emirates Wahat Al Aman, and its safety launch programme referred to as 'Safe house scheme'.Kazakhstan: Abuse Worsens AIDS Crisis
Drug users, sex workers targeted in one of world's worst AIDS epidemics(New York, June 30, 2003) - Human rights abuse against injection drug users
and sex workers in Kazakhstan is fueling one of the fastest growing AIDS
epidemics in the world, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released
today.The 54-page report, "Fanning the Flames: How Human Rights Abuses are Fueling
the AIDS Epidemic in Kazakhstan," documents instances of violent police
brutality, lack of due process, harassment and stigmatization that drive drug
users and sex workers underground and impede their access to life-saving HIV
prevention services."The Kazakhstan government can still turn the epidemic around," said Joanne
Csete, director of the HIV/AIDS Program at Human Rights Watch. "Government
officials must stop victimizing drug abusers and help prevent discrimination
against them in Kazakhstan society."Routine and sometimes violent harassment of injection drug users and sex
workers by the police adds to their already marginal status in Kazakhstan.
Drug users may be arrested for possession of very tiny amounts of narcotics,
police find it easy to pin false charges on them, and they are convenient
targets when arrest quotas need to be filled.A number of injection drug users told Human Rights Watch they were reluctant
to use needle exchange services even where they exist because of the fear of
being detained or of being identified as a drug user. Sex workers, whose
numbers have grown dramatically since the fall of the Soviet Union, regularly
face rape, other violence and extortion by police.People already living with HIV/AIDS also confront abandonment by their
families, discrimination in access to government services and rejection in
the workplace. Instances of required HIV testing of people in detention
continue in spite of an official change in this policy. In addition, many
HIV-positive people in Kazakhstan are segregated in prison. Few people with
AIDS in the country have access to antiretroviral drugs, and injection drug
users are particularly excluded from this treatment."When you have an epidemic where more than 80 percent of people with AIDS are
injection drug users, excluding them from AIDS treatment is neither good
public health policy nor respectful of their rights," said Csete.Human Rights Watch called on the government to end all forced HIV testing of
detainees and segregation of HIV-positive prisoners and to institute a long
promised pilot program of methadone treatment that would allow some heroin
users to be freed of having to inject drugs. More broadly, the government
should set a tone of tolerance and respect for the rights of injection drug
users, sex workers and people with HIV/AIDS."The government has the power and the responsibility to inform people that
drug addiction is a medical condition and that people living with AIDS
deserve respect and compassion," said Csete.With 2 percent of the world's oil reserves, Kazakhstan is expected to benefit
in the coming years from huge oil windfalls, which will drive up the stakes
in the political system. Meanwhile, the Kazakhstan government has resisted
political reform and its human rights record is deteriorating. Human Rights
Watch has criticized the repression of opposition political movements in
Kazakhstan and the stifling of the independent media.
Iraq: The US must ensure humane treatment and access to justice for Iraqi detainees
Amnesty International called on the United States today to give hundreds of Iraqis detained since the beginning of the occupation the right to meet families and lawyers and to have a judicial review of their detention. The organization also called on the US to investigate allegations of ill-treatment, torture and death into custody.
"The conditions of detention Iraqis are held under at the Camp Cropper Center at Baghdad International Airport - now a US base - and at Abu Ghraib Prison may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, banned by international law," Amnesty International said.
Detainees arrested by US forces after the conflict have included both criminal and political suspects. Detainees held in Baghdad have invariably reported that they suffered cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment immediately after arrest, being tightly bound with plastic handcuffs and sometimes denied water and access to a toilet in the first night of arrest. Delegates saw numerous ex-detainees with wrists still scarred by the cuffs a month later.
'Uday and Rafed 'Adel, 31-year-old twins, were arrested on 16 May by US forces who were chasing looters. Both denied involvement to US forces but were handcuffed tightly and taken to various transfer centres, and then to Camp Cropper.
"They did not interrogate us and they treated us like animals. In the first week we were not allowed to wash and didn't have sufficient water," Rafed said.
After 20 days of detention the two brothers were told they would be released but instead were taken to Abu Ghraib prison. Each day, some were released, but others remained; detainees grew increasingly despairing. On Thursday 12 June all detainees demonstrated against their detention conditions. The Captain promised to inform them individually about their detention period the next day. Only six were released the next day while no news were given for the others causing the detainees to stage another demonstration. The guards opened fire above their heads. One detainee, Jassem, hurled a post at a generator and was reportedly shot dead as he walked back to the tent. Seven detainees were wounded, including some in the tents.
"The USA as an occupying power must uphold international humanitarian law and human rights standards in dealing with issues of law and order in Iraq, in particular in the arrest, detention and interrogation of detainees," Amnesty International said.
The organization raised these concerns in a letter addressed to US Administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer, head of the Office of the Coalition Provisional Authority (OCPA) on 26 June, 2003. It also asked the OCPA to publicly declare the measures it intends to take to investigate allegations of abuses during house searches, to announce preventive measures to avoid the recurrence of such abuses and to ensure compensation of the victims.
Amnesty International delgates however welcomed statements by lawyers from the US military and the OCPA that they intended to rapidly improve conditions and would eventually ensure that every detainee had access to lawyers within 72 hours.
US military lawyers who met Amnesty International delegates last week acknowledged that the failure to give information about the detainees' whereabouts was regrettable but claimed that it had been impossible until recently to set up logistics to do this.
The lack of clarity concerning procedures and law has brought about a dual system: some detainees fall into the "black hole" detention center at the airport; their family has no news of them and they are only entitled to a review of their detention within three weeks by a US military lawyer. Others arrested for similar offences are taken to Iraqi police stations and receive the protection of the procedures in the 1971 Criminal Procedure Code: their files are brought before an Iraqi examining magistrate within 24 hours. They are entitled to release if there is insufficient evidence against them.
"Many of those detained at the airport were mistakenly arrested and were released, after being detained for several weeks in inhumane conditions, with bitterness, frustration and a lack of confidence in US justice. As the net of arrests widens, so does the injustice," Amnesty International said.
Amnesty International is also concerned about a number of allegations of stealing of money from houses which were being searched by UK or US soldiers.
Four brothers, As'ad, 'Ali, 'Uday and Lu'ay Ibrahim Mahdi 'Abeidi, were arrested from their house on 29 April 2002 after a shooting in a street in Baghdad. They were hooded and tightly handcuffed.
"We spent our first night in custody lying on the ground in a school. We had no access to a toilet and were given no food or water," one of the brothers said. The next day they were taken to Camp Cropper where they were held in the open until tents were brought on the third day. There was not enough water for washing. All had been released by 11 May.
The brothers said that some $20,000 in their savings and other goods was taken from the house. The Iraqi interpreter involved in the search operation said he handed over the family money to the US second lieutenant. But the money has not been returned.
"If a new future where human rights are respected is to be ensured, it is of fundamental importance that the present authorities ensure transparency and accountability for all human rights violations not only of the past but also of the present," the organization added.
The first detainees brought to Camp Cropper at the end of April 2003 were left under the burning heat of the sun, surrounded by razor wire until tents were erected on the third day. The toilets were unscreened holes in the ground. The daily water allocation of four litres for drinking was insufficient. Washing was prohibited by guards until skin diseases became widespread.
The detainees had no access to the outside world except the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Family members were not allowed to visit them. US forces were unable to provide any information to fa milies seeking information as to where their relatives had been detained.July 1 2003 -keralamonitor.com
