UK Soldiers May Face Iraq War Crime Charges

[roughbeast]

Originally Posted by dave6x

If it is going to happen then it needs to be done properly. It should be a top down process similar to the Nuremberg Trials, where first the leaders are put on trial before there is any trial of individual servicemen.

It is very easy for us to sit back in our homes casting judgement on soldiers involved in these unfortunate incidents and in the worst cases then some action may need to be taken through the Courts Martial process. However please have some understanding of what some of these soldiers have gone through, seriously traumatised by seeing their mates and colleagues blown up or shot by "the enemy", and put yourself in their situation. I don't know how I would react and suspect many others don't either, the best training in the world will not counter the brutalizing impact that may adversely affect the judgement of some soldiers in these circumstances!

There is a difference between this scenario. and the trials of Nazis after WW2.

Individual SS members and concentration camp commanders were following orders to torture and kill prisoners on security or racial grounds. The hierarchy from Hitler down were responsible for giving those orders. Our leaders of the time in 2003, ( The jury is still out on the legality of the 2nd Iraq War), required our generals and their troops to fight a war within modern rules of engagement. If individual troops or officers did not follow the rules then they may be liable for prosecution.

The 2nd part of your argument I mostly agree with, but I think the abuses we are talking about are ones that were carried out away from the battle, in interrogation rooms or prisoner cells.

[dave6x]

Originally Posted by roughbeast

There is a difference between this scenario. and the trials of Nazis after WW2.

Individual SS members and concentration camp commanders were following orders to torture and kill prisoners on security or racial grounds. The hierarchy from Hitler down were responsible for giving those orders. Our leaders of the time in 2003, ( The jury is still out on the legality of the 2nd Iraq War), required our generals and their troops to fight a war within modern rules of engagement. If individual troops or officers did not follow the rules then they may be liable for prosecution.

Very true. However I think the analogy still stands in that the orders come from the top, from the PM down, and a simple enquiry is not adequate. Let us test the legality of the whole dirty business in an international court, then see where that leaves us!

[techguyone]

Sorry but I think a lot of this is down to ambulance chasing lawyers like Phil Shiner looking to make a quick buck.

After all it's not like the people over there are known for telling porkies much is it (Take a good look at the 'fired bullets' for those not in the know, those bullets are unfired...) Perhaps we have now started THROWING bullets at people now, instead of discharging them, jesus christ WAKE UP

If anyone should be prosecuted, I'd suggest the cnuts who sanctioned the war to start with actually...

[roughbeast]

Originally Posted by dave6x

Very true. However I think the analogy still stands in that the orders come from the top, from the PM down, and a simple enquiry is not adequate. Let us test the legality of the whole dirty business in an international court, then see where that leaves us!

An international enquiry into the legality of the war isn't going to happen. The mistakes in the execution of the aftermath, that led to the creation of ISIS, are well-understood, but the fact is that neither Blair nor Bush or the leaders of the other 38 participating countries ordered their troops to kill prisoners.

[dave6x]

Originally Posted by roughbeast

An international enquiry into the legality of the war isn't going to happen. The mistakes in the execution of the aftermath, that led to the creation of ISIS, are well-understood, but the fact is that neither Blair nor Bush or the leaders of the other 38 participating countries ordered their troops to kill prisoners.

Of course what you say is true, as far as we are aware nobody in the chain of command ordered or condoned the killing of prisoners. I shall not comment further on this issue, it is too close to home!