Iraqi Sunni pledges prison improvements

[rodeodance]

Source: ap

Iraqi Sunni pledges prison improvements

By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 57 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - Iraq's Sunni vice president promised better treatment and a review for the inmates crowding the country's prison system in a video released Saturday showing a boisterous welcome from prisoners jammed inside tarp-covered cages.


In the visit Wednesday to the crowded eastern Baghdad prison, Tariq al-Hashemi said his moderate Sunni party was working to improve prison conditions and to free the innocent, though the party itself has not taken part in the Cabinet since Aug. 1.

A Sunni political alliance, the Accordance Front, which includes al-Hashemi's Iraqi Islamic Party has pulled its five ministers out of the government, saying Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki failed to respond to a set of demands, including the release of security detainees held without charges.

Rights groups also have complained about random detentions and overcrowding in Iraq's prisons. Most of the inmates are believed to be Sunnis accused of participating in the insurgency, but critics say many are innocent and have been held for long periods without charge.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070818/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=Av4wD5_QIXuTuzYa0slxvuYUewgF

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He released a video

[ohio2007]

1. Here is the rare video of his tour

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=4f3_1187481767