International law is violating to hold prisoners incommunicado and in secret locations

The United States is violating international law by holding prisoners in its war on &to= english.pravda.ru/war/2002/06/25/31135.html ' target=_blank>terror incommunicado and in secret hiding places, Human Rights Watch said in a report to be published on Tuesday calling for an end to such practices. The New York-based rights organization profiles 11 al Qaeda suspects being detained without concern for their rights under international law in a 46-page report. The rights group said international treaties ratified by the United States prohibit holding prisoners incommunicado and in secret locations. Under international human rights law, detainees must be held in recognized places of detention and be able to communicate with lawyers and family members, it said. U.S. officials say the detentions are essential to confronting terrorism and that many of those held have provided valuable intelligence that has foiled planned attacks. Human Rights Watch called on the United States to grant unrestricted access to the&to= english.pravda.ru/world/2002/06/26/31228.html ' target=_blank> International Committee of the Red Cross to all detainees held in anti-terrorist operations, informs Reuters. According to Newsday, the prisoners include the alleged architect of the Sept. 11 attacks, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, as well as Abu Zubaydah, who is believed to be a close aide to Osama bin Laden. Other prisoners profiled are Ramzi Binalshibh, who allegedly could have been a Sept. 11 hijacker had he succeeded in obtaining a U.S. visa, and Riduan Isamuddin, known as Hambali, an alleged &to= english.pravda.ru/main/2002/12/13/40745.html ' target=_blank>al-Qaida ally in Southeast Asia.