Spc. Erin Robicheaux
256th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
BAGHDAD "The Staff Judge Advocate team of the 3rd Infantry Division traveled to Forward Operating Base Justice to provide human rights training for the detention personnel of the 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.
Capt. Jacob Lilly from Frederick, Md., Chief Counsel for Detainee Operations, told the Soldiers to be very careful of how they treat prisoners.
"All of the eyes of the world are watching Iraq right now," said Lilly.
He emphasized that fair treatment of all human beings is essential for the war on terrorism.
"You must not allow abuse to come to the detainees, regardless of what they may have done to a person and the country that you love," he said. "You all took an oath as Soldiers and must put aside your personal emotions. You are all professional Soldiers and must act like it."
The training was part of Operation En-Sania, a human rights program aimed at the elements of the Iraqi Army under operational control of Multi-National Division Baghdad.
Other parts of the program include tracking alleged detainee abuse and presenting regular reports on the investigations. In the event of a a substantiated abuse, MND-B senior leadership engages the Ministry of Human Rights and Ministry of Defense in an attempt to rectify the situation.
The 1st IA Brigade is the first to receive this training. As the other brigades of the 6th IA Division come on line, the training will be expanded to them.
Lilly said the training is in response to concerns about the beginnings of the Iraqi detention system and was an attempt to head off potential problems.
He noted that the U.S. could not order the Iraqi Army to build a system following American standards, but they can show what has and has not worked in the American system.
"We've had our problems in this arena, but we are learning from our mistakes and are passing that knowledge on," said Lilly.
A 2Lt. intelligence officer with the 1st IA said his Soldiers know from the former reign of Saddam that torture never brings positive results.
"We are to follow the standards of human rights; if we just deal with detainees humanely we will get better intelligence when we question them," said the lieutenant.
He received a degree in engineering, and though he wanted a career in his chosen profession, he said he and his Soldiers are ready to fight for an independent country before they resume their professional civilian lives.
"Iraq has some special circumstances that we need to deal with. We cannot do any kind of work if we do not stabilize the country," he said.
According to the lieutenant, since the Iraqi Army formed a strong presence in Iraq, a lot of the violence and terrorism has slowed down. He attributed this to the help of the American and Multi-National Forces and for their training in areas such as detainee relations.
"Terror acts these days are different than before. The enemy is getting very tired," he claimed.
"If everyone is to be treated the same, the standard has to be humane treatment," said the lieutenant.
Lilly explained that the Soldiers may have to set aside their feelings and sometimes, even their personal beliefs on the detainees, to ensure fair treatment of all detainees.
He said it would be hard because some detainees had done truly awful things, but the Soldiers have to be professional and do their duty. He said he believes in the system of human rights, and it would instill positive results.
"Always, I'm teaching human rights, human rights, human rights," said Lilly. "And I believe to the core of my heart that everyone deserves these basic rights."
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