Statistics You Probably Won't See in the Papers

A reader wonders whether Human Rights First's report on the treatment of detainees held by the US will make the front page of a U.S. newspaper. What a wonderful world that would be! Sadly but unsuprisingly, it hasn't seem to have made any of today's papers: Google News has no hits for "Human Rights First" today.

I'll monitor the news and keep you updated. Meanwhile, some tasty tidbits from the report.

• 98 detainee deaths in U.S. custody
• 45 suspected or confirmed homicides. Thirty-four deaths were homicides under the U.S. military’s definition; Human Rights First found 11 additional cases where the facts suggest death as a result of physical abuse or harsh conditions of detention.
• In 48 cases – close to half of all the cases – the cause of death remains officially undetermined or unannounced.
• Certainly 8, as many as 12, people were tortured to death.
• Only 12 deaths have resulted in any kind of punishment.
• The highest punishment for a torture-related death: 5 months confinement.