Saddam Trial Evidence 'Lost' Says Human Rights Watch

BBC News:

Human Rights Watch says it is likely crucial evidence for the trials of Saddam Hussein and other former Iraqi officials has been lost or tainted.

US-led coalition forces failed to secure relevant sites after last year's invasion of Iraq, the group says.

They failed to prevent people from looting thousands of official documents from government buildings.

The US-based human rights organisation has published a 41-page report entitled Iraq: the State of the Evidence.

First of all, every thing that comes from Human Rights Watch should be taken with a grain of skepticism. For three decades, Saddam Hussein murdered entire populations and I don't recall Human Rights Watch offering one peep. However, once he was deposed, all HRW seems to care about are the alleged 'beatings at Gitmo' and the 'horrors of Abu Ghraib.' With that in mind, readers, anytime HRW complains about something, look for the political agenda. It's there.

With respect to evidence for the Saddam trial, there's plenty but, guess what? HRW is not a key player. They've been excluded from any trial preparation, planning, scheduling, and judge selection. Nobody has allowed them to take part. HRW believes it's been left out so it's taking action to get HRW in the headlines by making a list of allegations against the U.S. and the Interim Iraqi government.

HRW can help in many respects focusing public attention and resources but it appears its latest international alarm is being broadcast because it hasn't been retained as part of the prosecutorial or investigative team in the trial of Saddam Hussein.

I've been watching HRW for the last couple years and I've learned that it's best to not accept any public pronouncements at face value. The MSM won't bother. Expect this latest alarm to be picked up and repeated worldwide.