NEW YORK, March 15: Many of the 1,200 people detained in the wake of the Sept 11 attacks on the United States have had their human rights violated, including their right to know why they have been held, Amnesty International said on Thursday.

The human rights group condemned the policy under which the US government has taken some 1,200 noncitizens into custody in a nationwide sweep for possible suspects connected to the attacks on New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

In a report, Amnesty International said the United States had violated the detainees’ rights to humane treatment, to have prompt access to a lawyer, to be able to challenge the lawfulness of their detentions, and to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

The group said reports of cruel treatment had also been received. It cited examples that included prolonged solitary confinement, heavy shackling of detainees and lack of adequate exercise.

“The government’s treatment of these individuals is simply unacceptable and is a violation of international law,” William Schulz, Executive Director of Amnesty International, said in a statement.

The Justice Department said in its most recent statement on Feb 15 there were 327 individuals detained on immigration violations or being investigated for “possible terrorist connections.”

That figure did not include detainees being held under sealed indictments or as material witnesses — a number the Justice Department will not divulge. Nor does it factor in those seeking asylum.

Attorney General John Ashcroft has refused to release the names of immigration detainees, saying the information would be “too sensitive for public scrutiny. He has also said the department’s efforts to combat terrorism were carefully crafted to avoid infringing on constitutional rights while saving American lives.

Amnesty International said it had gathered information during visits to two jails identified as housing detainees in New Jersey, and during interviews with attorneys, detainees, relatives and former detainees.

The group called for a full inquiry into conditions at certain federal detention centres and urged the US authorities to release detailed information on all detentions.

In addition, it requested that individuals should not be deported to countries where they would be at risk of serious human rights abuses.—Reuters