U.N. says prosecute Iraq contractors who commit crimes

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BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United Nations called on the United States government on Thursday to ensure that any private contractors committing offences in Iraq are prosecuted.

The killing of 17 Iraqis in a shooting involving U.S. security firm Blackwater last month has created tensions between Baghdad and Washington and sparked calls for tighter controls on private contractors, who are immune from prosecution in Iraq.

In a new human rights report, the U.N. mission in Iraq urged "U.S. authorities to investigate reports of deaths caused by privately hired contractors and establish effective mechanisms for holding them accountable for where the circumstances surrounding the killings show no justifiable cause".

The report covers the April-June quarter and was not specifically referring to the September 16 incident involving Blackwater. However, it noted other reported shootings by private security contractors in the three-month period, including one by the U.S. firm on May 24.

the rest...

[Coexist]

1. .

[Coexist]

2. anyone? I thought this was important.

[murbley40]

3. Absolutely agree!