KABUL - The European Union (EU) is deeply concerned by the allegations of mistreatment of conflict-related detainees in some Afghan detention facilities detailed in a UN report released on Monday, the union said.

"Torture and ill-treatment are among the most serious violations of human rights and human dignity," the EU) said in a statement.

It said the EU welcomes the UN's efforts to monitor detention centers and publish the report and commends the Afghan authorities in particular the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and the Afghan Ministry of Interior for giving the UN and other organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to these places of detention.

"The EU also welcomes the decision by ISAF to suspend transfers of detainees to locations of specific concern until the allegations are fully investigated."

The statement took good note of the Afghan government's commitment to promote and preserve human rights and welcomed efforts made by the government towards addressing concerns in the context of human rights preservation and taking remedial actions to end these abusive practices.

"The EU reiterates that all concerned parties must respect and guarantee the fundamental rights of all detainees, to eradicate all forms of torture and ill-treatment, to bring those responsible for such acts to justice and to adhere to and comply with the relevant international norms and standards."

The EU also noted that UNAMA's finding that mistreatment of detainees was not an institutional or government policy of the government of Afghanistan and that steps were being considered to put in place corrective measures as a result of the findings of the UN report.

"One of the cornerstones of the EU is respect for human rights and it remains an integral objective in its foreign and security policy. The EU and its member states stand ready to support the Afghan government in this regard," it concluded.