London, May 02: Amnesty International said it has uncovered a "pattern of torture" of Iraqi prisoners by coalition troops, and called for an independent investigation into the claims of abuse. The London-based human rights group said it had received "scores" of reports of ill-treatment of detainees by British and American troops. British military police are investigating allegations of abuse by UK soldiers after the daily mirror newspaper published photos allegedly showing a hooded Iraqi prisoner who reportedly was beaten by British troops.
Amnesty's Middle East spokeswoman, Nicole Choueiry, said she was not surprised by the pictures.
"We've been documenting allegations of torture for a year now," she said. "We have said there are patterns of torture."
Choueiry said the British government should call an independent investigation into the abuse claims.
The British allegations surfaced after the American network CBS broadcast images allegedly showing Iraqis stripped naked, hooded and being tormented by their US captors.
Six US soldiers face courts-martial in connection with allegations of mistreatment of detainees at an Iraqi prison.
On Friday Amnesty said it had received "frequent reports of torture of other ill-treatment" of detainees by coalition forces.
Bureau Report