Report: Dutch Military Abused Iraqi Prisoners in 2003
17 November 2006
Some opposition lawmakers in The Netherlands are calling for an investigation into a published report saying the Dutch military abused Iraq prisoners during interrogations in 2003, and then tried to cover it up.
A report published Friday in the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant says Dutch military agents blindfolded Iraqi detainees, soaked them with cold water to keep them awake for long periods, and exposed them to loud or high pitched sounds during interrogations.
The newspaper says military authorities knew about the alleged abuse, but took no action.
An opposition parliament leader, Femke Halsema of the Green Left Party, says there appears to have been a cover up, and is demanding that parliament question the Dutch defense minister.
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said Friday that, if true, the events described in the newspaper are "shocking."
The newspaper says the alleged abuse took place in November 2003 in Iraq's southern Muthana province where some 1,400 Dutch troops were stationed. The Netherlands withdrew its troops in 2005, leaving only a small number of soldiers to help train the Iraqi military.
The Netherlands holds national elections next week.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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