Agence France Presse

Kabul, May 14:

Amnesty International has called on the Afghan and US governments to examine prison conditions in Afghanistan following allegations of abuse by US troops. "Recent allegations of abuse of an Afghan police officer in August 2003 by US soldiers in Gardez highlight the imperative need for a transparent and accountable investigation into reports of human rights violations," Amnesty said in a statement published yesterday on its website.

After revelations of gross prisoner abuse by American soldiers in Iraq, a former Afghan police officer came forward this week to claim he had been beaten, stoned, deprived of sleep and taunted with questions about having sex with animals in US custody. "Amnesty International calls on the US and Afghan government to investigate all deaths in custody, including the deaths of two Afghans in US custody in December 2002, and for the results to be made public," Amnesty said. "Both governments must ensure that all officers involved in allegations of torture are suspended."