Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has agreed to establish a special commission to investigate allegations of widespread abuse and torture in the country's prisons. Mr Maliki's Shi'ite-dominated government has been accused of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses perpetrated against its opponents. Two days ago, the Interior Minister announced that 43 police officers would face charges after an investigation found 23 cases of rights abuses and 20 cases of inmates imprisoned without warrants.