The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is facing criticism for allegedly neglecting to report severe human rights violations carried out by partner law enforcement agencies in Latin America. These violations reportedly included practices such as waterboarding, pistol-whipping, and Tasing suspects until they lost consciousness or vomited.
According to a management advisory memorandum released by the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), the DEA failed to disclose instances where foreign police officers in specialised DEA units abroad confessed to committing “gross violations of human rights.” The memorandum outlined five specific cases where foreign officers admitted to such violations during routine vetting processes.
One regulation highlighted in the memorandum is the “Leahy Law,” named after former Sen. Patrick Leahy, which prohibits providing assistance to foreign security forces accused of gross human rights violations. The DEA is required to screen potential partners thoroughly, including background checks, drug tests, and polygraph exams every three years. Candidates confessing to human rights violations must be reported promptly to the State Department.
The OIG’s investigation revealed instances where the DEA delayed reporting such violations to the State Department. In one case, a law enforcement officer from a Central American country admitted to numerous human rights violations during a polygraph exam but was reported only after 266 days. Similar delays were noted in other cases where officers confessed to acts like waterboarding and beating suspects but were not promptly reported.
The memorandum further detailed how DEA officials only notified authorities about the violations under audit pressure, indicating a lack of formalised reporting policies within the agency. In response to the OIG’s findings, the DEA acknowledged the need for expedited reporting and is working towards establishing clear policies to address such issues in the future.
Last week, an audit by the OIG revealed shortcomings in the DEA’s pre-employment polygraph practices, highlighting cases where individuals who failed polygraph tests were still hired, posing potential security risks. The DEA pledged to address these concerns and improve its screening processes to ensure compliance with regulations and safeguard against human rights violations.
The DEA did not provide immediate comment on the matter. The investigation underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement operations to uphold fundamental human rights standards and prevent abuse in partnership activities.