Ever since she was charged in connection with abuses which took place at Abu Ghraib, attorneys for Pfc Lynndie England have said that she was “a scapegoat” and that her defense would vigorously pursue questions about who ultimately was responsible for the abuse and torture of detainees.
But on Monday, Enlgand’s attorneys announced that the Army reservist simply would enter a guilty plea in exchange for a reduction in the charges she faces. As a result, court proceedings surrounding her case will be limited to sentencing procedures.
“As a result of the plea agreement, the larger question of whether or not she acted on higher orders will not be explored,” said Michael Posner, Executive Director of Human Rights First. “Lynndie England 's court martial doesn't get at the root of the problem. What remains much more important is that US interrogation polices and practices at Abu Ghraib and other U.S. detention facilities be publicly investigated, violations officially acknowledged, and corrective actions taken.”
Human Rights First, a New York-based international human rights group, is engaged in a campaign to end torture at U.S. detention facilities in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere. Human Rights First is concerned that torture is an ongoing problem that is connected to unjust, illegal and ineffective U.S. policies.
In an effort to end the abuses, Human Rights First, along with the ACLU, has sued Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on behalf of 8 individuals who were tortured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The suit alleges that Secretary Rumsfeld bears direct responsibility for the abuse and torture of detainees in U.S. custody. To read more about the suit go to: http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/us_law/etn/lawsuit/index.asp
