US forces violated Geneva Conventions in demolishing Iraqi homes, HRW says

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040113/wl_mideast_afp/us_iraq_rights&cid=1514&ncid=1480

NEW YORK (AFP) - Human Rights Watch (HRW) said US forces had violated international rules of war by demolishing civilian houses that were the suspected homes of Iraqi insurgents or former officials of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s government.


The rights group said it had written to US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld asking him to ensure that American forces operating in Iraq (news - web sites) adhere to the Geneva Conventions, which protect victims of war.


"At least four house demolitions over the past two months appeared to be for purposes of punishing families of suspected insurgents or compelling their cooperation," HRW said in a statement.


"Destroying civilian property as a reprisal or deterrent amounts to collective punishment, which is prohibited by the 1949 Geneva Conventions," HRW said.

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[htuttle]

1. A lot of us said this at the time

And the response from the peanut gallery seemed to be, "International Law? Who cares?..."

I have no idea what will eventually change the character of the US, other than more inevitable pain. I'm about out of ideas.

[KissMyAsscroft]

2. Yep...

Will the American military ever be held accountable for anything?

[maggrwaggr]

3. this story will be bulldozed just like the houses

it will never see the light of day

[maggrwaggr]

4. "in other words, a war crime,"

says right there in the article, regarding the taking of hostages to motivate others.

When are the trials?

[leftchick]

5. Thank God for HRW.....

Someone has to look out for the Iraqis cuz it sure ain't the Americans..

[Chico Man]

6. I'm sure Rumsfeld will take the letter very seriously. (nt)

[The Stranger]

7. Go to the story on Yahoo and rate it a "5"

Make it noticed by expressing your concern.

[jpak]

8. Our troops were not trained to do this

Nor were they trained to take hostage family members of wanted Ba'athists.

This policy comes directly from Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush.

and they must be held accountable...

[yellowcanine]

9. Taking a page from the Israelis

Iraq is looking more like Gaza every day.

[ConcernedCanuk]

10. "International Law? - better call my lawyer" - Isn't that what Bush said

.
.
. ? ? ?

I'm SURE I read, and SAW that ?

The Texacutioner don't give a frig about law exceptin' his own

That's MY take on it ? :shrug:

[Art_from_Ark]

11. Your memory is correct

Dec 22: "At a photo op after a cabinet meeting, a reporter asked Bush if such punitive steps squared with international law. "International law?" Bush answered, with an edge of sarcasm. "I better call my lawyer. He didn't bring that up to me."

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3706598/

[Malva Zebrina]

12. It seems to me they took their orders and their approach from the Israeli

We have had reports that the US forces were being trained by the Israeli, especially.

It has been a operative procedure for a long time in Israeli war tactics against the Palestinians to destroy homes without any significant reason or proof necessary that they wee seeking to do harm--it is the same with the Iraqi--who are not armed much at all. Their homes have been demolished as have the homes of the Palestinians. They are desperate and they are being slowly killed or forced to enter into ghettos like a people, not a people and also like animals condemed

This is what Bush has exposed his and our military to. This is what we have become.

Animals.

They are training under the military of the Likud and Ariel Sharon. Yipee--they sure have controlled the terrorists in their territory! We have paid our military to "study" under them!! and does it look as though it is a "winning" approach?

It is barbaric.