UN grills US on compliance with torture ban

The UN today grilled the United States on its compliance with the global ban on torture for the first time since Washington declared war on terrorists, rejecting the US refusal to discuss intelligence matters like alleged secret CIA prisons and flights transferring suspects for possible torture in other countries.

The UN Committee Against Torture asked US officials about a series of issues ranging from Washington’s interpretation of the absolute ban on torture to its interrogation methods in prisons such as Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.

US officials acknowledged that mistakes had occurred, and that 29 detainees in American facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan had died of what appeared to be suspected abuse or other violations of US law.

State Department lawyer John Bellinger defended Washington’s commitment to its international obligations and read prepared answers to written questions submitted in advance.

He said the delegation was unable to answer all questions because many involve intelligence activities.

But committee chairman Andreas Mavrommatis said intelligence matters “are not excluded” from scrutiny.

A second session is planned for Monday.