Here's the link from the bbc:
Daily Kos
Essentially, the Afghan government is extremely disappointed about the punishment given to American troops convicted of abusing two detainees who later died. In the first examples of any judicial determination of prisoner abuse since 2001, two soldiers were convicted and sentenced to prison - one for two months and one for three months - involved with the beatings and later death of a detainee known only as Diliwar in late 2002. Although several such deaths have been reported, this is the only such case, involving information which has been released, which has reached any sort of final result.
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Spokespersons for Afghan President Karzai as well as U.S. human rights groups have decried these results as far too lenient. Apparently, two other soldiers were charged and convicted but received much lighter sentences. Officers were also implicated but apparently not charged. The information is all based on a 2000 page document leaked to the New York Times earlier this year, which detailed Diliwar's (and others') deaths.
Not knowing any more facts or circumstances than those detailed in the article, there are a number of issues that I am concerned about. First, the sentences seem quite mild. Two months for causing a death??!! Is this justice?? It has incensed the Afghan government and undermined respect for the rule of law. And, as these are the only examples of any sort of resolution to the widespread allegations of abuse, it sets a bad example generally. Moreover, it is possible that the sentences have already been served, or if they haven't, will be finished quite shortly.
Second, the officers appear to have gotten off scot free. So, like the previous Abu Ghraib examples in Iraq, the entire problem is apparently to be borne by low level soldiers. And, because the chain of command has not been implicated, there appears to be less of a deterrent effect than there otherwise would have been had the investigation and prosecution been more widespread.
Third, what does this say about the U.S.'s commitment to human rights standards as embodied in international conventions?? Adjudicating the cases in some fashion is laudable, but to have the results described as "laughable" does not enhance the U.S.'s credibility nor engender respect for the rule of law.
Fourth, why is this information being buried?? This story on the bbc is from three days ago and I have seen little on it in the U.S. press. So, like many of the abuse allegations and stories, the world is getting more detailed and accurate information generally than is the U.S. citizenry.
I should be clear here - I support our efforts in Afghanistan and believe we should try to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, Zawahiri and other deputies. But I don't support widespread prisoner round-ups and detainee abuse. And, I believe that punishment should generally fit the crime and not be whitewashed.
All comments and thoughts appreciated!