Abu Ghurayb, the Iraqi prison that become synonymous with the abuse of detainees (file photo) (epa)
May 8, 2006 -- A senior U.S. official today told the UN Committee on Torture that the United States has held 103 courts martial following investigations into allegations of mistreatment of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Charles Stimson said another 170 investigations are still under way.
During the hearing in Geneva, U.S. officials challenged a survey released by Human Rights Watch indicating a low rate of prosecution and even lower rate of sentencing of American service personnel for cases involving mistreatment of prisoners.
Stimson said on May 8 there had been an 86 percent conviction rate in the 103 cases.
The United States has reiterated that the use of torture or cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment by the U.S. military or intelligence services is outlawed.
(AFP)