'Dark shadow' over human rights record

Amnesty International is calling for the release of the findings of an investigation into the New Zealand Defence Force's compliance with human rights obligations in Afghanistan.

In a statement, Amnesty International says an article in Metro magazine called Eyes Wide Shut shines a spotlight on a dark shadow cast over New Zealand's human rights record.

The article implies the New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) was complicit in human rights abuses in Afghanistan.

Amnesty International says if New Zealand's soldiers were being tortured, we would be outraged and would demand it stop and that those responsible be held to account.

"We must demand the same for those our SAS are fighting; not only for reciprocity but to respect the dignity of all human life."

The organisation is calling an independent investigation to be launched.

"New Zealanders deserve certainty that their soldiers are complying with our international obligations; that they are not complicit in torture," it says.

New Zealand has a written agreement with the government of Afghanistan which states that all detainees will be treated in accordance with the requirements of international law.

Amnesty International says until the SAS stops transferring detainees to the sole custody of Afghan authorities, knowing there are substantial grounds for believing that they would be in danger of being subjected to torture, they will be complicit in torture if it occurs.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has said that the government is determined to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law.

Green MP Keith Locke is pushing for an inquiry to assess new evidence regarding the prisoners handed over to United States and Afghan authorities.

Last week Prime Minister John Key rejected calls by Locke for an independent inquiry, but Locke says he has not given up. Parliamentary monitoring of whether our forces have operated in accordance with international humanitarian law is appropriate, Locke said.

"Those in charge of our Defence Forces need to explain how their previous statements are contradicted by the direct evidence from those detained by our SAS, or on-the-spot witnesses."


(2011-5-1/TVNZ)