By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
KABUL, Afghanistan – Although one of President Obama’s first actions in office was to be to eliminate the so-called “black jails” from Afghanistan, it seems a new facility has opened as a separate part of the recently renovated Bagram Air-Base. The President’s promise produced significant friction with another statement in which he granted the military commanders in Afghanistan great discretion in how best to execute the U.S.’s agenda in the war-torn nation. Despite the U.S.‘s deference to its military in making such decisions, the government has come under much criticism on human rights grounds due to the soul-breaking conditions of “black jails.”
The term “black jails”, coined by detainees in such confines, refers to a holding cells with only one light-bulb, no windows, and no amenities whatsoever. Inmates at Bagram Air-Base, the U.S.’s largest establishment in Afghanistan, have been known to be imprisoned in black jails for weeks at a time. During this detainment period, black jail prisoners have no access to the Red Cross, media, civilians, or any other significant human contact. Moreover, the black jails are not actually connected to the large Bagram Air-Base, which currently houses over 700 inmates.
The practice of placing prisoners in black jails began with the Bush administration and was supposed to have ended with Obama’s entry into office. The continuing practice of throwing prisoners in black jails also runs afoul of the Obama administrations proclaimed ends of increased transparency regarding operations in Afghanistan and the preservation of the dignity of Afghan detainees. Particularly after the renovation of the Bagram Air-Base, in response to the sharp criticism of the international community and human rights organizations, the Obama administration made numerous statements that it would rectify the evils perpetrated by the Bush administration. However, it seems the tension with the leeway given to military officials has undermined this purpose.
The Bagram Air-Base has been used to house Afghan prisoners since the early 2000’s, and the main facility was infamous for being a worse prison than Guantanamo Bay. Inmates at Bagram received even less rights than those held in Cuba, and the inhumane practices received far less attention, allowing them to continue much longer and more insidiously. The facility was renovated earlier this year to accommodate an increase in troops. The renovation brought with it promises of openness with regards to its operation and fair treatment of inmates.
Following reports of two younger inmates published in the Bagram black jail facing abuse and other mistreatment, there will sure be further scrutiny of the U.S. military practices in Afghanistan to ensure that the rights of prisoners are no longer violated.
For more information, please see:
Al-Jazeera – ‘Black jail’ at Bagram prison site – 29 November 2009
Mother Jones – The ‘Black Jail’ – 30 November 2009
The New York Times – Afghans Detail Detention in ‘Black Jail’ at U.S. Base – 29 November 2009
