MoD loses battlefield rights case

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Judges have thrown out a government appeal by deciding that the Human Rights Act can apply to British troops, even on the battlefield.

The judgement the MoD appealed against said "right to life" meant it had a legal duty to supply proper equipment.

The rulings centred on a case brought by the family of Pte Jason Smith, who died of heatstroke while serving with the Territorial Army in Iraq in 2003.

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The earlier High Court ruling - upheld by the Court of Appeal's decision on Monday - had also said inquests of military personnel had to be more wide-ranging and families should be able to access legal aid.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8054875.stm

[Posteritatis]

1. *That's* a can of worms; wow (nt)

[dipsydoodle]

3. The issue at stake

is that of sending troops to war without the right equipment. I believe that to have happened to both US and UK troops. x(

[Grinchie]

2. U.S. Soldiers take note, they already took American Soldiers rights away.

As I recall, they were forcing U.S. Soldiers to take unproven Anthrax vaccines during the start of the Iraq War. They had to take them or be Court Martialed.

Mark Zaid, a lawyer who has challenged the immunization program, said there is no scientific proof that the vaccine is effective in human beings.

Meryl Nass, M.D., Director of the Military and Biodefense Vaccine Project (MBVP), said "America's military service members deserve to be fully informed about the deaths, chronic illness and disabilities that many soldiers have experienced following anthrax vaccination. The FDA-approved anthrax vaccine package insert acknowledges only six deaths and two dozen autoimmune diseases associated with the vaccine, but the FDA has not directed the manufacturer to update the insert in nearly five years. More than 1200 anthrax vaccine-injured soldiers have been treated at the congressionally mandated Vaccine Healthcare Centers, which DOD has attempted to close. They are suffering with crippling, life-altering illnesses that are being swept under the rug. We know the anthrax vaccine is reactive and we suspect it is especially risky for those with hereditary and other risk factors that DOD refuses to investigate or acknowledge."

Soldiers who refuse to be vaccinated may face a court martial. more http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/54400.php