HRW: US transferred suspected ISIS fighters from Syria to Iraq

SANAA, Nov.1 (YPA) – The United States Of America has transferred foreign fighters suspected of belonging to ISIS from Syria to Iraq, without considering its “risk of being subjected to torture or unfair trial,” Human Rights Watch said in a report published by FAO on Wednesday.

According to sources, including independent court observers, HRW has said that at least four people, who are Australian, French, and Lebanese nationals, have had trials in Iraq and that in, at least two terrorism-related cases,
The detainees claimed to have been tortured, the report added.

The HRW also believes that a Palestinian national has also been transferred from Syria to Iraq, but it is unclear if they have been charged yet in an Iraqi court.

It is illegal under international law for a country to transfer someone in custody to a place where they may be at risk of being subjected to torture or ill-treatment.

“Prosecuting ISIS suspects is crucial for their countless victims to obtain justice, but that won’t be achieved by transferring detainees to abusive situations,” said Nadim Houry, terrorism/counterterrorism director at Human Rights Watch.

“The United States should not transfer suspected ISIS from Syria to Iraq or any other country if it puts them at risk of torture or unfair trial,” Houry said.

The United States has not yet responded to its letter addressed to it on September 10 which includes a request for clarifications on Washington’s policy on the transfer of detainees, the organization said.

E.M