Name: Removal of clothing; sexual humiliation

Source: CIA KUBARK manual; plan of instruction for various military schools

Description: Guards at Abu Ghraib used various kinds of sexual humiliation to break down detainees. According to the Taguba report, such acts included "photographing naked male and female detainees; forcibly arranging detainees in various sexually explicit positions ; forcing groups of male detainees to masturbate while being photographed." Detainees were frequently paraded around Abu Ghraib without their clothing, often wearing hoods. An October 2003 visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross found a number of detainees held in solitary confinement who were naked.

At least one female interrogator sexually humiliated detainees on her own at Guantanamo, according to U.S. government reports and the statements of former detainees. After learning that one detainee was a devout Muslim, she stripped off pieces of her uniform and writhed on top of him. She also reached down into her pants and pulled her hands up covered with a reddish substance that she said was menstrual blood (but which was more likely paint). She then smeared it on the detainee.

Physical, Psychological, or Other Effects: Sexual degradation is a particularly effective tool for attacking the personalities of devout Muslims, because of their taboos concerning women and overt sexual behavior.

Locations Used: Iraq, Guantanamo Bay

Legal Opinion: Sexual humiliation tactics violate the Geneva Conventions. When the military learned of the female interrogator's actions at Guantanamo, it launched an investigation. Sexual pranks may also violate the UCMJ's criminal provisions relating to cruelty and maltreatment of detainees.