Iraq: Fear of War Crimes by Both Sides (Barf Alert)

Amnesty International ^ | March 26, 2003 | none credited

[DaveCooper]

There are reports giving rise to concerns that war crimes may have been committed by both sides in the recent fighting, Amnesty International said today.

Coalition forces have confirmed attacking the main Iraqi television station early on Wednesday. According to reports from the BBC, U.S. Central Command in Qatar has said that missiles struck Iraq’s main TV station. The Pentagon is reported to have said that the purpose of the operation was to counter the command and control abilities of the Iraqi régime, and also to deal with propaganda and the disinformation campaign of Baghdad.

“The bombing of a television station simply because it is being used for the purposes of propaganda is unacceptable. It is a civilian object, and thus protected under international humanitarian law,” said Claudio Cordone, Senior Director for International Law at Amnesty International.

“To justify such an attack Coalition forces would have to show that the TV station was being used for military purposes and that the attack properly balanced the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated with the incidental risk to civilian life.”

“Attacking a civilian object and carrying out a disproportionate attack are war crimes. The onus is on the Coalition forces to demonstrate the military use of the TV station and, if that is indeed the case, to show that the attack took into account the risk to civilian lives.”

“At times of war many civilian activities can be seen as supporting, in a general way, the war effort. But to accept that all such activities can be targeted is to accept the logic of ‘total war.’ Preventing the devastation of such ‘total wars’ has been one of the key underpinnings for the development of the rules of war in recent decades,” Claudio Cordone added.

Iraqi forces are reported to have deliberately shelled civilians in Basra and to placing military objectives in close proximity to civilians and civilian objects. There have also been reports of Iraqis dressed in civilian clothes in order to allow surprise attacks on coalition troops.

“Any direct attack on civilians is a war crime. Those who blur the distinction between combatants and civilians undermine the very foundations of humanitarian law,” said Claudio Cordone.

[DaveCooper]

Un-frickin’-believable.

[b4its2late]

Amnesia International at it again.....

[The Old Hoosier]

Say it all you like, but EVERYONE ON THIS BOARD was calling Clinton a war criminal for the bombing of the TV station in Belgrade during the Kosovo conflict. They were right then, and this is right now.

[DoughtyOne]

Amnesty international is a joke on them. We know what they're up to and aren't buying. They operate under the dilusion someone actually gives a fig what they think.

[DoughtyOne]

Let me get this straight. You think we targeted the Iraqi television station but it's still on the air. Is that about it? ROTFLMAO

[Free ThinkerNY]

Dear Amnasty International: Shut the F*** up!

[proximo]

Seeing as how most people get there information about what really happens in war from other people who really don't know themselves, it doesn't suprise me that people called Clinton a criminal for the Belgrade TV bombing (although I have a unique perspective on that incident) and it is not suprising that AI would make the statement they did.
ALOT of people criticize military action and those who carry it out, until they need military action / personnel to save themselves, and the good people at AI are no different. When they need to be pulled out of the fire (and they have) they don't care who it is or how it's done

[The Old Hoosier]

You haven't been reading the news today, I guess.

[Professional]

Was the Serbian TV station promoting footage of war crimes?

[The Old Hoosier]

In Belgrade, we bombed it and killed journalists inside. And if it's wrong for anyone, it's wrong for AI and for me too.

Moreover, it's not like extra people are dying because of Iraqi TV. We could bomb CNN using the same rationale.

[Professional]

I can't believe that anyone thinks that blowing up a TV station is somehow a crime during war. Radio, TV, electricity, water, and all other forms of infrastructure allow an enemy to continue fighting. Why on earth wouldn't you destroy it, unless you want the other side to possibly win? What next, against the Geneva convention to kill enemy combatants?

[The Old Hoosier]

At the time, our military argued that they were perpetuating Slobo's hate. In battle, it seems any reason is good enough to justify a war crime.

[DoughtyOne]

If Iraqi television was used to perpetrate a war crime, you know the airing of our troops who had been executed, then it's fair game. Leave it to the Neandering Nabobs to think the worst of the US at the earliest opportunity. As for this television station costing more lives, just what do you think it will facilitate if the Iraqi people are convinced that the US it targeting civilians and they are motivated to resist? Good heavens, give it a rest.

[JSteff]

For me, and I am sure many, Amusmenty International has succeeded in making themselves as relevant as PITA.
They condemn the Israeli's but say nothing of the PA and homicide bombings. They push for the release of Abu Jamal a convicted cop executioner. They are pure leftist with the total lack of reason or common sense which goes along with that.
Pathetic.
The only good thing is the "embeds" will be the witnesses for our troop's civility and professionalism.

[EaglesUpForever]

The bombing of a television station simply because it is being used for the purposes of propaganda is unacceptable.

Who appointed him universal school-mom? Sorry, they left the stupid station on for 6 days, and it was not long after a "letter from Saddam" ordered Iraqi military to attack that it was first targeted: as it was obviously (obvious, that would be, to a human being and not a sub-human frenchman that thinks homicide bombers are just great folks) being used for command and control.

These are the same people that would have been content (thrilled in fact) to find the "smoking gun" in New York City rather than Baghdad, and purposely extended "inspections" as far as possible, hoping and praying to see more dead Americans.

"Peace lovers" like this make Hitler look like a saint.

[Professional]

OK, but you have to admit, Slobo wasn't showing footage of dead POW's now was he? Nobody here was calling for the destruction of Iraqi TV UNTIL that happened. The coalition did that in direct response, and I think it became a legit target that way. I was actually enjoying their propaganda until then, especially the guy with the glasses and his talking about us in a "swamp". He was a hoot.

[freedom9]

Where was the outrage against Palestinian attacts on Israeli citizens?

[Mark17]

Dear Amnasty International: Shut the F*** up!

I wonder if they know where the sun don't shine?