'Covert Prison System' Raises More Questions
Jan 3rd - 4:46pm
Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio
WASHINGTON -- More questions about the covert prison system being operated by the CIA. WTOP Radio has learned the United Nations is now investigating the so-called "black sites."
The U.S. has been asked to formally respond to reports that the CIA is operating a series of secret detention centers around the world. In addition to the so-called "black sites," the U.N. High Commission on human rights has also requested information on the location of 26 al Qaida detainees who are missing.
The international commission, based in Geneva, enforces human rights treaties that the United States and other countries have agreed to.
The investigation by the U.N. is the result of a petition filed by World Rights, an international human rights organization.
"I filed the petition against the United States Government with the U.N. Arbitrary Detention Working Group asking them to investigate the status of about 30 al Qaida detainees that have simply disappeared from the face of the earth and are likely being held in black sites," said Timothy Cooper, the executive director of World Rights.
The U.S. has until March 8 to respond. Failure to do so would result in the government being found in violation of international human rights agreements.
"If they don't reply they would be found in violation which is embarrassing. It's one thing to have China found in violation of international human rights violations, it's another for the United States."
The State Department did not respond to WTOP's request for comment.
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