UN urges US to close Guantanamo Bay facility

Geneva, May 19 : The United Nations committee against torture told the United States today it should close any secret prisons abroad and the Guantanamo Bay facility, saying they violated international law.

The 10 independent experts, who examined the US record at home and abroad, also urged the Bush Administration to ''rescind any interrogation technique'' that constituted torture or cruel treatment, citing use of dogs to induce detainees' fear.

The United States ''should ensure that no one is detained in any secret detention facility under its de facto effective control'' and ''investigate and disclose the existence of any such facilities,'' said the committee, which has no power to enforce its recommendations.

Reuters