Original author: Agencies
Source: Aljazeera.Net
URL: [link]
Date: July 10, 2006

[Thanks to Khalid and Sophie for passing this on to me... - Brian]

Amnesty International has condemned the continuing use of torture by the Algerian security services.

The human rights group said on Monday that Algeria's intelligence agency, the Department of Information and Security, or DRS, is using the war on terror as an excuse to perpetuate torture and ill-treatment.

The rights group issued its 44-page report before Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the president, visits London on Tuesday.

"Recent measures taken by the Algerian authorities with the stated intention of consolidating 'national reconciliation' have failed to address this grim legacy," it said.

The most common means of abuse, it said, include beatings, electric shocks, and "chiffon" - the forced drinking of dirty water, urine or chemicals through a cloth stuffed into a detainee's mouth.

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