Abu Ghraib

Scandal and Scrutiny

From 2003 to September 2006, the U.S. military managed the prison. Concerns about prisoner abuse emerged soon after U.S. takeover from groups such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, who visited the prison 29 times from mid-to late 2003. Worldwide attention to Abu Ghraib was garnered in late April 2004 when photographic evidence of detainee abuse first surfaced on the CBS 60 Minutes II television show, followed by the publication of the photographs in The New Yorker. The photographs, turned over to the Army's Criminal Investigation Command by Specialist Joseph Darby, depict U.S. military personnel participating in various forms of abuse.

The pictures, and subsequent sworn statements given by detainees, reveal a range of abusive practices: “hooding” (putting a bag over the head of the detainee to disorient them and prevent them from breathing freely); prolonged exposure to loud music and extreme temperatures; forcing detainees to remain in uncomfortable positions for extended periods; intimidation by unmuzzled dogs; physical beatings; and denial of food, water, and sleep. Evidence also highlights sexualized forms of abuse of male detainees: being forced to parade nude, sometimes [Page 18]with women's underwear over their heads; forced to simulate masturbation; and forced to simulate anal or oral sex with other detainees.

Though the majority of detainees were male, reports also indicate abuse of the handful of female detainees. Suspected to be among the photographs not released by the U.S. government are pictures of a female detainee being sexually assaulted, and a female detainee forced to expose her breasts to male guards.

Investigations of Abuse

It is likely the remaining photographs of Abu Ghraib and other U.S. military prisons will not be seen by the public. In May 2009, U.S. President Obama reversed his decision to support the public release of the remaining photographs. In October, Congress passed legislation granting the Defense Secretary authority to deny their release. In November, the U.S. Supreme Court set aside the decision of the lower appeals courts to reveal the photos, citing the new legislation. Concern from the White House is that releasing the photographs would further inflame anti-American sentiment and endanger American troops.

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