America was condemned
yesterday for conditions in an
Afghan jail where more than 3,000
Taliban and al-Qai'da fighters are
being held in conditions described
as overcrowded and unhygienic,
and where inadequate food and
medical supplies have led to
deaths.

An inspection team from
Physicians for Human Rights said
that conditions at Shebhargan
prison, near Mazar-i-Sharif, were
"in grave violation of international
standards for those held in
detention or as prisoners of war".

Groups of up to 110 prisoners
were being held in cells designed
for no more than 15. The
organisation called on America to
recognise the inmates, and those
held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
as prisoners of war.

The prison, in northern
Afghanistan, houses Taliban and al-Qa'ida fighters captured
after the fall last year of Mazar and Kunduz – campaigns in
which US special forces played a key role. Until 14 January,
America controlled access to the jail and was interrogating the
inmates, transferring those it considered important to Kandahar
or Guantanamo Bay.

The group said that even though control of the prison had now
been transferred to General Rashid Dostum, the deputy
defence minister in Afghanistan's interim administration, the
Geneva Conventions made clear that the United States still had
a responsibility.

Leonard Rubenstein, the group's executive director, added:
"The moral point is that the whole world knows the people who
have custody of [the prisoners] do not have the ability to meet
their needs. They have no money, their government is a month
old. The US has the capacity to meet those needs
immediately."

The inspection team's report portrays a picture of gross
overcrowding, inadequate food and an absence of medical and
washing facilities. One bowl, 20 inches in diameter and eight
inches deep, containing a stew of beans, rice and carrots, had
to feed 10 men. Pneumonia and dysentery were rife, and the
officer in charge said that "many, many, many prisoners had
already died".

The officer said it cost $3 a day to maintain the current
conditions, but that there was not enough money even for that
in the long term.

Dr Jennifer Leaning, of the inspection team, urged America to
provide more funds and recognise the men as prisoners of war.
"We are dealing with a quiet atrocity. These men are ordinary
Taliban soldiers. The US has led, controlled and organised this
war – [it] understands the situation and is responsible."

The condemnation comes amid continuing controversy over the
fighters held at Guantanamo Bay. The Bush administration
appears divided on the issue. The Defence Secretary, Donald
Rumsfeld, insists that the 158 men, including three Britons, will
not be granted prisoner-of-war status, despite a call from the
Colin Powell, Secretary of State that their status should be
looked at individually in line with the Geneva Convention.