RFE/RL – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Karzai Orders Cameras Be Put In Interrogation Facilities

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ordered in a decree that cameras be placed in all interrogation facilities to prevent torture.

Karzai said in a decree released by his office late on February 16 that, "Relevant authorities are required to equip the intelligence and investigating agencies... with modern equipment [and] devices... and videotape the interrogation process."

The decree follows a government investigation into a UN report about prisoner abuse, which found detainees were tortured at the time of arrest and during interrogations.

The UN report revealed that 326 of 635 prisoners interviewed across the country said they had been abused, including 80 minors.