Unethical Actions at Abu Ghraib

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Unethical Actions at Abu Ghraib John Shaw MSL-401 LTC Mason 21 November, 2012 Following the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime, the facility by the name of Abu Ghraib was renovated into a U.S. military prison establishment. Stripped of doors, windows, bricks, and anything else that could be easily removed, and replaced with new plumbing fixtures and a medical center, Abu Ghraib would be the new commonplace for Arab detainees to be housed (Hersh, 12). However, the fresh Abu Ghraib would not be used to house inmates humanely, but in fact would be a commonplace for torture and abuse, as it was in the previous years. The 372nd Military Police Brigade, attached to the 320nd M.P. Battalion, was assigned to staff the prison and was charged with the upkeep of the facility and its inmates. Within the unit, a select few soldiers displayed extremely unethical and disgraceful actions toward Arab inmates, without any repercussions from the superior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Phillabaum (Hersh, 12). Some of the horrific incidents performed on the prisoners included; breaking chemical lights and pouring the phosphoric liquid on detainees, threatening male detainees with rape, as well having the prisoners perform homosexual acts on one another and photographing the incidences (Hersh, 13). Homosexual acts are frowned upon in many cultures, but is completely against Islamic law. Having those Arab detainees perform those gruesome and degrading actions is entirely unethical. One suspect that was charged guilty in the incident, Staff Sergeant Ivan L. Fredericak II, claimed that when he was first exposed to the mistreatment of the inmates, he pulled aside LTC Phillabaum and asked him about it, LTC Phillabaum simply stated, “Don’t worry about it” (Hersh, 14). There is no doubt in any sane person’s mind that the actions conducted by the suspects in this
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