Rights group accuses Iraq of torture, unlawful arrests

BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 15 (UPI) -- A prison that Iraq's government said it closed a year ago is still open and being used for torture and unlawful detentions, a human rights group said Tuesday.

Human Rights Watch said it has learned through numerous interviews with victims, family members and government officials that Baghdad's notorious Camp Honor prison facility in the Green Zone is still open for business.

"Iraqi security forces are grabbing people outside of the law, without trial or known charges, and hiding them away in incommunicado sites," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director for Human Rights Watch.

Stork said multiple witnesses told Human Rights Watch some detainees arrested after December have been held in Camp Honor prison even though the government said it closed the prison in March 2011.

The prison is under the control of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Human Rights Watch called on the Iraqi government to appoint an independent commission to investigate "continuing allegations of torture" and disappearances in Iraq.