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'''Abu Ghraib prison''' (Abu Ghurayb), located 20 [[mile]]s (32 [[Kilometer]]s) from [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]], was a notorious [[prison]] under [[Saddam Hussein]]'s regime, and the site of several high profile prisoner abuse cases during the U.S. occupation which received much worldwide attention.  

'''Abu Ghraib prison''' (Abu Ghurayb), located 20 [[mile]]s (32 [[Kilometer]]s) from [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]], was a notorious [[prison]] under [[Saddam Hussein]]'s regime, and the site of several high profile prisoner abuse cases during the U.S. occupation which received much worldwide attention.  

===Abu Ghraib under Saddam Hussein===

===Abu Ghraib under Saddam Hussein===

During Saddam Hussein’s rule in Iraq, countless reports of torture and execution at Abu Ghraib emerged. The US State Department records incidents at Abu Ghraib involving the amputation of prisoners’ limbs for the crime of conducting business in United States currency in 1994<ref>“Iraqis Dismembered by Saddam Received Artificial Limbs in U.S.” US State Department, 28 May 2004, http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=May&x=20040528165245cpataruK3.368777e-02   </ref> and the 2001 execution of  28 political prisoners in a wave of “prison cleansing.” <ref>Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Iraq 2001,” US State Department, March 4, 2002.

During Saddam Hussein’s rule in Iraq, countless reports of torture and execution at Abu Ghraib emerged. The US State Department records incidents at Abu Ghraib involving the amputation of prisoners’ limbs for the crime of conducting business in United States currency in 1994<ref>“Iraqis Dismembered by Saddam Received Artificial Limbs in U.S.” US State Department, 28 May 2004, http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=May&x=20040528165245cpataruK3.368777e-02</ref> and the 2001 execution of  28 political prisoners in a wave of “prison cleansing.” <ref>Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Iraq 2001,” US State Department, March 4, 2002.

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/nea/8257.html</ref>  Additionally, in a report detailing conditions in Iraq under Hussein, the White House records the execution of over 4,000 prisoners at Abu Ghraib in 1984 alone. <ref> “Life Under Saddam,” http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/04/20030404-1.html </ref>

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/nea/8257.html</ref>  Additionally, in a report detailing conditions in Iraq under Hussein, the White House records the execution of over 4,000 prisoners at Abu Ghraib in 1984 alone.<ref>“Life Under Saddam,” http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/04/20030404-1.html</ref>

===Abu Ghraib under Coalition Control===

===Abu Ghraib under Coalition Control===

Responding to the public release of the Abu Ghraib abuse photographs, then Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, explained,

Responding to the public release of the Abu Ghraib abuse photographs, then Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, explained,

:"I feel terrible about what happened to these Iraqi detainees. They are human beings. They were in U.S. custody. Our country had an obligation to treat them right. We didn’t do that. That was wrong. To those Iraqis who were mistreated by members of U.S. armed forces, I offer my deepest apology. It was un-American. And it was inconsistent with the values of our nation."<ref> Testimony as Prepared by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, The Senate and House Armed Services Committees, Friday, May 07, 2004. http://www.defenselink.mil/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=118</ref>

:"I feel terrible about what happened to these Iraqi detainees. They are human beings. They were in U.S. custody. Our country had an obligation to treat them right. We didn’t do that. That was wrong. To those Iraqis who were mistreated by members of U.S. armed forces, I offer my deepest apology. It was un-American. And it was inconsistent with the values of our nation."<ref>Testimony as Prepared by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, The Senate and House Armed Services Committees, Friday, May 07, 2004. http://www.defenselink.mil/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=118</ref>

Army Reserve Brigadier General, Janis Karpinski, who assumed leadership of the prison on June 30, 2003, received a reprimand and was demoted to Colonel on charges of dereliction of duty.<ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20040526-120928-8194r</ref>  

Army Reserve Brigadier General, Janis Karpinski, who assumed leadership of the prison on June 30, 2003, received a reprimand and was demoted to Colonel on charges of dereliction of duty.<ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20040526-120928-8194r</ref>  

Nine members of the armed forces received courts martial for crimes depicted in the photographs.  Of the more prominent perpetrators, Army Specialist Charles Graner received a 10-year prison sentence for his participation in abuse and sexual humiliation of prisoners. At his trial he repeatedly insisted that he was simply following commands issued by his superior officers.  Private First Class, Lynndie England, received three years in prison and a dishonorable discharge. Sabrina Harmon, photographed beside a deceased prisoner, received a sentence of six months.

Nine members of the armed forces received courts martial for crimes depicted in the photographs.  Of the more prominent perpetrators, Army Specialist Charles Graner received a 10-year prison sentence for his participation in abuse and sexual humiliation of prisoners. At his trial he repeatedly insisted that he was simply following commands issued by his superior officers.  Private First Class, Lynndie England, received three years in prison and a dishonorable discharge. Sabrina Harmon, photographed beside a deceased prisoner, received a sentence of six months.

On May 24, 2004 President [[George W. Bush]] summarized the affair, “Under the dictator, prisons like Abu Ghraib were symbols of death and torture. That same prison became a symbol of disgraceful conduct by a few American troops who dishonored our country and disregarded our values...”<ref> Presidential Remarks at United States War College, May 24, 2004.

On May 24, 2004 President [[George W. Bush]] summarized the affair, “Under the dictator, prisons like Abu Ghraib were symbols of death and torture. That same prison became a symbol of disgraceful conduct by a few American troops who dishonored our country and disregarded our values...”<ref>Presidential Remarks at United States War College, May 24, 2004.

  http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040524-1 0.html</ref>

  http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040524-1 0.html</ref>

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==External Links==

==External links==

:'''Warning: These photographs are quite graphic!'''

:'''Warning: These photographs are quite graphic!'''

*[http://www.salon.com/news/abu_ghraib/2006/03/14/introduction/] Salon.com Abu Ghraib Photo Archives

*[http://www.salon.com/news/abu_ghraib/2006/03/14/introduction/] Salon.com Abu Ghraib Photo Archives

[[category:Military]]

[[Category:Military]]

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