Sunday, May 02, 2004
The tip of the iceberg
Chilling new evidence of the torture and sexual abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers emerged last night in a secret report accusing the US army leadership of failings at the highest levels.
Detainees were subjected to 'sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses', according to a military investigation suggesting that last week's photographs of US soldiers humiliating their naked captives may only have been the tip of the iceberg.
It comes amid reports that six British soldiers may shortly be arrested over claims that they too mistreated detainees. Soldiers from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment are understood to have been questioned in Cyprus after the publication yesterday of shocking photographs purporting to show a prisoner being beaten, kicked and urinated on while in the regiment's custody.
-clip-
If true, the allegations could mean serious criminal consequences for Britain, which, unlike the United States, has signed up to the new International Criminal Court. It has the power to launch war crimes charges of its own against authorities including the commander-in-chief - the Prime Minister - if necessary.
It's a good thing the US refused to ratify the International Criminal Court, cause we wouldn't want these guys to be held responsible for their actions or anything.
posted by chris at 11:50 AM
------------------
|
