MoD must open up on deaths in custody
22 March 2010 The Baha Mousa inquiry has revealed a 'wall of silence' over Iraqi deaths in army custody. The MoD must tell the truth
Lt Col Nicholas Mercer, it seems clear, is a brave, decent and very stubborn man. But it is also clear that he has been the victim of a concerted campaign to silence him. Mercer was the chief legal officer for the British army in Iraq until July 2003.
It was his job – among other things – to ensure that British forces understood and obeyed international law on the treatment of prisoners. During his several hours of testimony to the Baha Mousa inquiry last week, it became obvious that was a duty he took very seriously. His aim – revealed in a succession of army memos and reports presented to the inquiry – was to ensure that Iraqi prisoners were treated with humanity and dignity in order to "limit the opportunity for abuse" as he put it. By "abuse", he meant everything from psychological cruelty to torture and even killing. -->-->-->
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