Report: U.S. abuses in Afghanistan
(CNN) -- The United States' military used excessive force during arrests of suspected Islamic militants in Afghanistan resulting in avoidable civilian deaths, according to Human Rights Watch.
A report by the U.S.-based group also said three people had died in U.S. custody in Afghanistan, and the military has failed to properly investigate the deaths.
The first two deaths were ruled homicides by U.S. military pathologists who performed autopsies, but officials have yet to explain what happened to any of the three men, the group said.
"The United States is setting a terrible example in Afghanistan on detention practices," Brad Adams, executive director of the Asia division of the group, said.
"Civilians are being held in a legal black hole -- with no tribunals, no legal counsel, no family visits and no basic legal protections," he said.
The U.S. has rejected criticism by the group, which says international law may have been violated.
"This report shows lack of understanding on the region, this is a combat zone," Lt. Col. Bryan Hilferty told a news conference on Monday. "We follow strict rules of engagement and the laws of war."
"Some of the things reported in the Human Rights Watch report have happened, like the case of two detainees who died in custody in Bagram, and we are investigating that very actively," he said.
The 59-page report was based on research conducted by Human Rights Watch in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2003 and early 2004.
"There is compelling evidence suggesting that U.S. personnel have committed acts against detainees amounting to torture or cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment," Adams said.
"Released detainees have said that US forces severely beat them, doused them with cold water and subjected them to freezing temperatures. Many said they were forced to stay awake, or to stand or kneel in painful positions for extended periods of time," the report said.
Around 13,000 U.S.-led troops are hunting remnants of the ousted Taliban and al Qaeda network.
The report includes the following recommendations to the United States:
Investigate and publicly report on allegations of mistreatment at detention facilities in Afghanistan; Instruct military and intelligence personnel to take all appropriate steps to prevent or stop abuses by Afghan forces deployed with or under the command of U.S. forces; Create a legal system of tribunals, in conjunction with the Afghan government, to ensure that detainees in Afghanistan -- both combatants and civilians -- are processed and screened in accordance with applicable standards of the Geneva Conventions and human rights law; Permit families of detainees, and those providing legal assistance, to visit detainees; Reevaluate and revise arrest methods and standing Rules of Engagement for U.S. military and intelligence personnel in Afghanistan to ensure that law enforcement methods are used when U.S. forces are arresting non-combatants in non-combat situations. 
