[Greens-Media] SENATOR KERRY NETTLE: AusAID avoids responsibility for Iraq police

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

30.05.06

AusAID avoids responsibility for Iraq police


Australia's aid agency has failed to investigate allegations about Iraqi
police acting as death squads despite funding their training Senator
Nettle said today.

Questioned by Senator Nettle AusAID told the Foreign Affairs and Trade
Estimates Committee that it was not responsible for investigating claims
about Iraqi police operating as death squads. They also failed to
identify any other Australian government department or agency they would
be responsible for investigating such allegations.

AusAID also revealed that Australian Federal Police officers continue to
train Iraqi police at the Joint Police Training College in Jordon
despite allegations that Iraqi police are involved in widespread abuse
of fellow Iraqis. 

"It is not good enough for the Australian Government to pay the bill for
training Iraqi police but take no responsibility for the quality of
training they receive", Senator Nettle said today.

"There are numerous allegations of Iraqi police engaging in
extra-judicial murders and effectively operating as death squads, but it
seems AusAID doesn't want to know about it.

"AusAID and the government must not train Iraqi police how to kill and
then wash their hands of responsibilty when they go off the rails.

"The training program should be discontinued until the allegations are
resolved."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146