IAWM PRESS RELEASE, 13 APRIL 2011 – CONCERN OVER LINK OF CACI TO TORTURE IN ABU GHRAIB

IAWM PRESS RELEASE, 13 APRIL 2011
– CONCERN OVER LINK OF CACI TO TORTURE IN ABU GHRAIB
In a statement released today the Irish Anti-war Movement noted that it has raised concerns with the CSO Director General – Gerry O’Hanlon and Minister of State – Paul Kehoe over the involvement of CACI (UK) in Ireland’s census.
The IAWM’s concerns regarding the contract with CACI (UK) are based on the undisputed presence of interrogators employed by CACI International at ABU Ghraib in 2003 – 2004.
CACI staff interrogated prisoners held without charge or trial under US rules of engagement that permitted sensory deprivation, sleep deprivation and interrogation with dogs. These practices are undoubtedly human rights abuses and are matters of record in this case.
In addition to these human rights abuses CACI is alleged by former Abu Ghraib prisoners to have been responsible for torture that went far beyond anything permitted under US rules of engagement. These allegations are the subject of ongoing law suits in the US and are supported by substantial evidence.

IAWM PRESS RELEASE, 13 APRIL 2011
– CONCERN OVER LINK OF CACI TO TORTURE IN ABU GHRAIB
In a statement released today the Irish Anti-war Movement noted that it has raised concerns with the CSO Director General – Gerry O’Hanlon and Minister of State – Paul Kehoe over the involvement of CACI (UK) in Ireland’s census.
The IAWM’s concerns regarding the contract with CACI (UK) are based on the undisputed presence of interrogators employed by CACI International at ABU Ghraib in 2003 – 2004.
CACI staff interrogated prisoners held without charge or trial under US rules of engagement that permitted sensory deprivation, sleep deprivation and interrogation with dogs. These practices are undoubtedly human rights abuses and are matters of record in this case.
In addition to these human rights abuses CACI is alleged by former Abu Ghraib prisoners to have been responsible for torture that went far beyond anything permitted under US rules of engagement. These allegations are the subject of ongoing law suits in the US and are supported by substantial evidence.
CACI denies any wrongdoing. But CACI is trying to block lawsuits brought against it by former Abu Ghraib prisoners by claiming “official immunity.” The US Supreme Court is currently considering whether to allow one of the lawsuits (involving over 250 Iraqi plaintiffs) to go ahead. Another case (involving 4 Iraqi plaintiffs) is currently before the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, in Richmond, Virginia.
The IAWM statement noted that: “On the census website it states that CACI (UK) had never provided services to the defense or intelligence sectors. However CACI (UK) is a wholly owned subsidiary of CACI International. A wholly owned subsidiary is part and parcel of the parent company for operating, reporting and financial purposes.”
We understand that the initial contracting of this firm was in 2002 before these abuses occurred, however the Irish government have since had the opportunity not to renew the contract with CACI.
As stated by a CSO spokesperson ‘EU procurement rules do allow bidders to be excluded if they have been convicted of certain criminal or other offences but none of these exclusions applies to CACI (UK) – or indeed to its US parent’. However; EU Procurement rules set out in Directive 2004/18/EC give contracting authorities discretion to exclude a contractor that “has been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the contracting authorities can demonstrate.” The Irish Government has chosen not to use this discretionary power.
Lola Hynes, from the IAWM Steering Committee said that:
“It’s completely unacceptable that Irish taxpayers are being asked to support a company that has been involved in shameful human rights abuses and is trying to use its status as a military contractor to duck accountability in US courts.”
She continued: “A CSO spokesperson has previously stated that ‘The Central Statistics Office is fundamentally committed to ethical and proper conduct in all matters and would never have any dealings with a company convicted of human rights abuse’. If that were the case, the CSO would be obliged to use the discretionary powers available to it to ensure that it – and our country – is not associated with human rights abuses.”
END
For further info contact:
Lola Hynes – Steering Committee IAWM, 086 8228795
Richard Boyd Barrett TD, Chair IAWM, Tel. 086 781 4520
Jim Roche, PRO Steering Committee, IAWM, Tel. 087 6472737
www.irishantiwar.org