NATO shrugs off Kosovo camp criticism

UPI, 1/12/2006 12:12:00 PM -0500

 

BRUSSELS, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- NATO Thursday denied barring a human rights organization from access to prisoners in Kosovo, saying the detention center is no longer in use.

 

"There is no one to visit," Alliance spokesman James Appathurai told reporters, explaining the problem was of a technical nature.

 

The Council of Europe Tuesday lashed out at NATO for refusing it access to the KFOR-run prison at Camp Bondsteel. The detention center is the only one of its kind in Europe where the council does not enjoy unlimited access, Europe's top human rights watchdog said.

 

Appathurai said the Strasbourg-based body was taking a "bit of an exaggerated approach," adding: "Even when there were detainees, nothing was hidden." According to the military bloc, the last prisoner left the Kosovo camp in 2004.

 

The spokesman stressed that no irregular business had taken place. The Red Cross was invited each time there were detainees and Amnesty International had regular access, said Appathurai, urging the council to "put to rest any question of hidden skeletons."

 

Under the treaty establishing the Council of Europe, its anti-torture committee can examine the treatment of detainees in prisons, in immigrant and asylum centers and other detention facilities throughout its 45 member states.