Torture tells a tale

Graphic images out of Abu Gharaib prison are fast becoming emblematic of America8217;s occupation of Iraq. First, in the array of torture methods employed, they hint at the darker side of George W. Bush8217;s war on terror. The administration in Washington may be at pains to explain them away as isolated incidents, duly being investigated by the US military 8212; but the very proof of gross human rights violations weakens drastically its case for its so-called just war. Second, in the unrelenting follow-up by the American media to keep the story moving, to maintain an unwavering focus on their military8217;s most shameful hour, can be found welcome evidence that at least the superpower8217;s institutions are in fine health. The rush of exposes 8212; on a bizarre outsourcing of interrogation work, and on possible complicity of senior personnel 8212; provides reason to believe that the guilty will be duly punished, and the occupation force8217;s policing methods in Iraq kept in check.

As they must be. The torture catalogued in the photographs contravenes every law, every norm of civilised society. Remember, the US launched its invasion of Iraq by broadcasting examples of Saddam Hussein8217;s barbaric rule. That a prison on the outskirts of Baghdad is now the site of American me-toos is an intriguing switch. And that the human rights abuse was effected by soldiers of an army that would play policeman to the world, of a country that would be its moral custodian, is further irony.

The United States has been in the past quick to censure governments whose armed personnel are even suspected of excess. It has deployed 8220;human rights8221; records to put them on strict notice 8212; never mind that the media in countries like India is on perpetual vigil to track any abuses of power. Iraq has perhaps been a crash course for the US in the complexities of balancing the responsibility to civilians and the need to crack down on mischievous elements out to disturb the peace. As the US emerges out of its isolationist universe, Abu Gharaib serves as dual interrogation. It must rescue any shred of legitimacy by cracking down on all officials and processes that led to Iraqi torture chambers. Until it does that, its lectures on human rights to countries engaged in anti-terror operations will be listened to8212;hardly heard.