U.S. Violated Human Rights in Iraq, UN Leader Says (Statement on WikiLeaks Iraq War Logs)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Examiner.com / Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

U.S. violated human rights in Iraq, UN leader says
October 26th, 2010 7:10 pm ET

Documents leaked on the web suggest the United States violated human rights in Iraq, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Tuesday.

- snip -

The “US knew about the widespread use of torture and ill-treatment of detainees by Iraqi forces, but proceeded with transferring thousands who had been detained by US forces into Iraqi custody between early 2009 and July 2010,” Pillay said in an emailed statement to journalists. “US forces killed civilians at checkpoints and during operations,” Pillay added.

Both countries’ actions violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified in 1966, Pillay alleged.

She called upon Iraq to ratify the Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol, which she said “gives a UN committee the right to visit all places of detention and examine the treatment of detainees.”

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/united-nations-in-national/us-violated-human-rights-iraq-un-leader-says

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Iraq / Wikileaks: statement by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

GENEVA (26 October 2010)– “The files reportedly indicate that the US knew, among other things, about widespread use of torture and ill-treatment of detainees by Iraqi forces, and yet proceeded with the transfer of thousands of persons who had been detained by US forces to Iraqi custody between early 2009 and July 2010. The files also allegedly include information on many undisclosed instances in which US forces killed civilians at checkpoints and during operations.

The information adds to the High Commissioner Navi Pillay’s concerns that serious breaches of international human rights law have occurred in Iraq, including summary executions of a large number of civilians and torture and ill-treatment of detainees.

The US and Iraqi authorities should take necessary measures to investigate all allegations made in these reports and to bring to justice those responsible for unlawful killings, summary executions, torture and other serious human rights abuses, in line with obligations under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which both the US and Iraq are parties.

The High Commissioner calls upon Iraq to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol, which gives the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment the right to visit all places of detention and examine the treatment of persons detained.

High Commissioner Pillay also urges the Iraqi Government to facilitate visits of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Human Rights Teams to monitor the human rights situation in detention facilities so that necessary advice and assistance can be provided to the Iraqi authorities.”

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT): http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cat.htm

Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT): http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cat-one.htm

OHCHR Country Page – USA: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/USIndex.aspx

OHCHR Country Page –Iraq: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/IQIndex.aspx

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - Media Unit
Xabier Celaya, Information Officer: + 41 22 917 9383 / [e-mail]

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[indimuse]

2. KNR! n/t

[ixion]

3. like there was any question about this

glad it seeing the light of day. k/r

[L.Torsalo]

4. Waging wars

of aggression is a violation of human rights. I hope some one manages to dispense some form of justice for these crimes.

[Drops_not_Dope]

5. These ARE War Crimes, right?

GENEVA (26 October 2010)– “The files reportedly indicate that the US knew, among other things, about widespread use of torture and ill-treatment of detainees by Iraqi forces, and yet proceeded with the transfer of thousands of persons who had been detained by US forces to Iraqi custody between early 2009 and July 2010. The files also allegedly include information on many undisclosed instances in which US forces killed civilians at checkpoints and during operations.

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Now where does that buck stop again?

Or is it 'if it's important it comes to my desk'?

Or maybe this, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34360743/ns/politics-white_house

First, in dealing with those nations that break rules and laws,
I believe that we must develop alternatives to violence that are tough enough to change behavior - for if we want a lasting peace, then the words of the international community must mean something.
Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable.


Those who claim to respect international law
cannot avert their eyes when
those laws are flouted.

This brings me to a second point -
the nature of the peace that we seek. For peace is not merely the absence of visible conflict.
Only a just peace based upon
the inherent rights and dignity of every individual
can truly be lasting.

It was this insight that drove drafters of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
after the Second World War.
In the wake of devastation, they recognized that if
human rights are not protected,
peace is a hollow promise.


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Okay, I give up. Somebody tell me they give a damn.