05 June 2004	Saturday	16 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

UNITED NATIONS, June 4: A UN Human rights report released on Friday said the treatment of Iraqi prisoners held by US-led coalition forces was "a stain upon the effort to bring freedom to Iraq."

While it credited the US-led coalition with ending years of violations by Saddam Hussein's regime, it cited concerns over prisoner abuse. "The fall of Saddam Hussein removed a government that preyed on the Iraqi people and committed shocking, systematic and criminal violations of human rights," said the report by the UN high commissioner for human rights.

"After the occupation of Iraq by coalition forces there have, sadly, been some violations of human rights, committed by some coalition soldiers," the report said.

"Governmental leaders of the countries concerned have, at the highest levels, condemned these violations and have pledged to bring those responsible to justice and to uphold the rule of law. It is imperative that this be done, with accountability to the international community."

Iraq's interim government, set to take over sovereignty next month from the Coalition Provisional Authority currently running the country, must ensure Iraqis do not face abuses in the future, it said.

"The serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law that have taken place must not be allowed to recur. Preventive and protection systems must be put in place."