Controversy over Irish Census 2011

The Irish public are being urged to boycott the upcoming census amid allegations that the company contracted to gather information from Irish Citizens has been linked to the torture of prisoners at notorious U.S prison camp, Abu Ghraib, in Iraq.

The London-based company contracted to gather information for the Irish census, CACI (UK), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US contractor CACI International. CACI have faced heavy criticism for their role as interrogators at Abu Ghraib prison during the height of the prisoner abuse scandal in 2004.

In August 2003, CACI International provided staff to the US army to conduct IT and intelligence work in Iraq, including interrogation services.

CACI International are known to have interrogated people detained without charge at Abu Ghraib. They did so under US rules of engagement that permitted sleep deprivation, sensory deprivation and intimidation by dogs. Without the support of the United States these practices would generally be considered to violate international human rights norms.

A number of former Abu Ghraib prisoners have since brought lawsuits against CACI alleging torture and other human rights abuses. In the US, four Iraqis brought a federal lawsuit against CACI International asserting that its staff participated in torture at Abu Ghraib. Suhail Najim Abdullah al Shimari, Taha Yaseen Arraq Rashid, Sa'ad Hamza Hantoosh Al-Zuba'e and Salah Hasan Nusaif Jasim al-Ejaili were all detained in the prison after the 2003 US-led invasion.

They allege they were subjected to electric shocks, sexual assault, brutal beatings and mock executions. Rashid claims he was forcibly subjected to sexual acts by a female as he was cuffed and shackled to cell bars. He also alleges that he was forced to witness the rape of a female prisoner and had a taser gun fired at his head.

Irish census protesters are said to be willing to risk a criminal record, and a possible fine "of up to €25,000" in an attempt to force the Irish Government to cancel their contract with CACI (UK). Many feel that Irish taxpayers money should not be used to support an organization so intimately involved with the U.S occupation of Iraq.