AMMAN, Jordan, June 30 (UPI) -- Jordan's intelligence and criminal investigation services have been accused of "systematically" practicing torture.
Manfred Nowak, U.N. special rapporteur on torture, made his conclusion public at a news conference in Amman following a two-day fact-finding mission.
"On the basis of all the evidence gathered, including serious allegations substantiated by forensic expertise, and taking into account the efforts of both authorities to obstruct the fact-finding mission, I cannot but conclude that torture is systematically practiced at both the GID and CID," he said.
GID refers to thee General Intelligence Department, while CID is the Criminal Intelligence Department.
Nowak, who also called for abolition of secret courts that deal with security cases, however emphasized that despite his finding the Jordanian government itself was not "systematically practicing, authorizing or condoning torture."
Nowak toured a number of detention facilities at the invitation of the government. He said he stumbled upon detainees showing evidence of torture, but was not allowed to interview them.
The Jordan Times quoted government spokesman Nasser Judeh as saying the fact the government invited Nowak was "a positive sign and reflects the government's genuine efforts to advance human rights."
Jordan, he said, would await the Nowak's final report, which is to be given to the U.N. General Assembly, and would "carefully examine and seriously look into every allegation made and (would) respond to the report in due time."
