UN anti-torture body scrutinises US record
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060505/1/40ky8.html
After reading the article, I started to think about the prisoners of war the US kept and tortured. As many of you are aware, the issue on the war prisoners being harassed and sexually abused has caused many controversies and many people have been put to trial because of their crimes. I feel very happy that the UN is looking into the records of the US and is preventing further torture of prisoners.
What is the point of torturing and humiliating prisoners? Aren’t they human too? it really disgusts me to know that people are actually doing such evil things to other people. there were cases where prisoners were forced to run around the prison compound naked, pile on top of each other as if they were not humans but sacks of potato, being harassed both physically and sexually. This is bad – how an irony it is, when the US is all about Human Rights and they are not giving war prisoners any. How would you feel if you’re a war prisoner? You’d say something like: Crap! I’ve lost in combat, now I’m captured (well it’s quite a good thing, I would not have to risk my life in the front line) but wait, what’s the guard going to do? he’s going to torture me. I mean, come on, give the prisoners a break. they’ve lost, failed to serve their country, and now you’re humiliating them? this is worst than death. A soldier would rather die in battle with honour and pride then to be humiliated by their captors.
I personally feel that the holding and interrogation of war prisoners is okay. but to torture them, give them hell and suffering, ain’t that a little too much? true, you may need some vital information from the prisoners but are you going to lose your humanity and torture another fellow human? It’s disgusting. Full stop.
I hope the guilty would be put to trial and executed. I seriously hope no more of such inhumane behaviour would be seen in the future. Check this out, "The US government is not only failing to take steps to eradicate torture, it is actually creating a climate in which torture and other ill-treatment can flourish, including by trying to narrow the definition of torture," said Curt Goering of Amnesty International. Gosh, that’s like: guy 1 slaps guy 2. guy 2’s not happy he says: why did you slap me? guy 1 says: define slapping. Bad behaviour. I hope the UN does something about this. look at this, A study by Human Rights Watch of allegations relating to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo, found that at least 600 US military and civilian personnel have been involved cases of abuse or killings. TOTALLY GROSS! 600?! Oh my god. I seriously hope this stops. For those of you who have the song “Where is the love” by Blacked Eyed Peas, play it while you read the next few articles.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/05/utorture.xml
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5c05%5c05%5cstory_5-5-2006_pg4_5
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18944305-23109,00.html
Go UN! I hope the UN prevails. Justice shall be served. Punish the evil and redeem the innocent.
posted by Darkclaw of Nine Lives @ 7:42 pm
9 comments
9 Comments:
War by itself is harsh, brutal and unforgiving to all involved. There has always been more
than enough coverage of where the soliders are fighting it out, the number of casualities
involved and the total death toll at the end of it all. When the war is finally over and
the dust settles, one will only know of the final outcome of the war and related issues. But,
not much light had been shed on the treatment of prisoners-of-war and what they go through. Such
information were often kept under wraps, until now.
Following reports of the kind of treatment prisoners went through at the hands of US Military
during the September 11 attacks, much attention was zoomed in on the US and its defence. When
evidence of US Military inappropriately handling war prisoners kept growing, it became clear
that something had to be done. Even prisoners have rights, just like the rest of us. By treating
them like scum and humiliating them, such degrading acts are indeed heinous and must be avoided at all
costs. Their rights and humanity must be protected, and not violated in any possible way.
However, some argue that such prisoners deserve harsh treatment, even if it includes them
getting sexually harrassed, man-handled, and beaten up for the crimes that they have committed.
Even so, if autorites were to implement equally harsh measures and punishments just like how the
prsoners committed equally harsh crimes, what's the difference between the two? Where does the
good and bad lie?
Given such a sensitive issue on its hands, the UN's top anti-torture body opened its first
public examination of the US government's record on torture since the incident. If the US
government is found guilty, it will be a very shameful truth given how the US is supposed to be
the father of peace and democracy and the right hand of justice. This will undoubtedly send
shockwaves around the globe, and people will start to view the US in a bad light. As such, the
US will completely lose its image of being a role modal for other countries to follow, given how
part of its image has already been tarnished by revealing photos of humiliating acts the prisoners
went thorugh. But still despite all this, the fact that the US government has managed to shrug them o
ff and remain unfazed makes one wonder whether justice wil have a final say.
I feel that the UN had finally taken that much awaited step to probe the US government for evidence relating to the
above-mentioned. The boldness of the UN taking the initiative to do so is indeed praiseworthy and goes to show that
the UN does live up to its role of helping to uphold justice and peace in the region without any form of biasness.
However, it remains to be seen whether the US government will be willing to cooperate and oblige in the first place.
During the September 11 attacks, the US government ordered troops to cunduct numerous bombing runs in Iraq in the hopes of
flushing out wanted-terrorist Osama Bin Laden, despite the UN warning the US not to do so. The defiant nature of the US may
put such an effort by the UN to a complete waste, and if the US did indeed allow such acts to be committed in prisons,
the government will escape charges. Also, one must relaise that while the focus might be on the US right now,
the possibility of other countries having done similar "war crimes" is very high indeed.By the time the focus is shone on
them, it will be too late and justice will only live on in the name itself and not in its actions.
Playing the devil's advocate:
What's the authenticity of the photographs? Also, a picture can paint a thousand words but it can also hide another million. That is, what do we know about the context of situation as depicted in the photographs?
600 (military personnel involved in torture) is indeed an ugly figure but how is this figure derived? Human Rights Watch claims this figure but did they include the whole combat platoon/company as long as one individual/section was assigned to the "torture". I wouldn't be surprised if such sweeping deductions were carried out by such organisations to win empathy and to exaggerate situations.
The US needs information from these POWs to gain an upper hand in warfare and these info is used to win the war ultimately. After all, winning the war protects the interests of the US and its huge pool of allies. As the proverb goes: "To do a whole lot of good, sometimes you need to do a little evil". Besides, would Prisoners of War voluntarily submit vital military information, such as key nuclear missle launching sites, to the enemy?
Finally, is such "treatment/torture" only "enforced" by US military? What about the other side?
War is ugly. There is no doubt about it. There will always be losers and sometimes people would even question whether the victor actually wins anything after having lost their men in combat. Not forgetting, some of these countries also have to deal with the aftermath of a war be it in terms of financial costs or the relations with other countries.
It is heinous to torture anybody be it prisoners-of-wars (POWs) or even animals. But before we decide to be quick to pass judgment and blame the parties involved in meting out the abuse, we should examine the reasons why these POWs are even tortured in the first place.
Those who are tortured are most likely to be key personnel who know vital and sensitive information that would be highly valuable to the US forces. Of course there are other ways to torture the POWs other than physically or sexually. They can try to make the POW fatigued by having long intergoration sessions to wear them out or deprive them of food and water. However, these POWs may have also known of such styles of torture and hence have already been prepared. The main aim of torture is probably to catch the victims by surprise and make them suffer to the point where they cannot take it anymore and succumb to the interrogators.
Even police forces around the world also use torture while questioning their suspects albeit to such a great extent. I have never witnessed a live questioning session by the police before, but I believe in the notion that art imitates life to an extent. Hence those police drama serials on television do portray some of the tactics that polices used while questioning suspects. They could probably shine light into the suspects’ eyes or question them for extremely long periods asking the same questions over and over again. Does this not constitute as torture as well? If so, then the police forces the world over would all be in trouble with the UN.
Let’s not forget Iraq under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. He has tortured scores of innocent civilians that are even worse than what the US forces are alleged to have done. Some of his forms of torture include “electric shocks to a male's genitals, pulling out fingernails, suspending individuals from rotating ceiling fans, dripping acid on a victim's skin, gouging out eyes, and burning victims with a hot iron or blowtorch.” (http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/silenced/torture.htm) However, the most chilling and evil form of torture that he has ever afflicted to the entire country is: Fear. He denied the people a voice. They had to follow his every order and they did not have any freedom. Those who went against him were persecuted.
The US has so launched their own investigations into the reports of abuse as seen in the case of Private England. She was found to be participating in the abuse of POWs and was sentenced. This shows that the US do stand by their word of preserving humanity. Whether or not it is a one-off to tell the world that they are really serious of their stance or to divert international scrutiny is of course yet to be seen.
On the other hand, I would also like to point out that despite the UN efforts to investigate this matter, the UN is also rather ineffective in carrying out any plans. Moreover, US being one of the superpowers in the world, the UN would most probably thread carefully around this matter. The worst US would receive could just probably be “Criticism by the UN panel brings no penalties beyond international scrutiny.” as mentioned in one of the articles Chi Weng provided. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/05/utorture.xml)
The reputation of the US will definitely be affected even further but let’s not forget that most of the world economies depend on the United States still and whatever action taken will also force the UN to consider carefully the repercussions on other nations
There is no such thing as a true victory in war. Often, many die and even more are injured and tortured. Soldiers fighting for their country and die in war are remembered for their heroic-ness. However, those who die as prisoners-of-war, died because they were tortured to death. People pitied them, not never named them as 'heroes' who died for their country.
For all those innocent lives that were lost, either by mistaken identity or anything else, isn't it all the more things should be settled faster rather then now? because of what has happened, their lives were lost, just like that.
In these prisons during the war, people were tortured, left to starve and the women were raped. They were humiliated. It is good that the UN are finally taking action against them. but i agree with Huimin's reaction:'why now?' Actions against them should have been taken right after the war had ended. i feel that these prisoners should be remembered for what they were tortured for. some of them were abused because they would rather die then reveal secrets that would beneficial to their enemy. Their patriotism is heroic and definately applaudable. but i feel that the actions of torturing these prisoners-of-war are disgusting and should be exposed and put on trial. Their actions are inhumane, and atrocious.
however, look on the brighter side of things, i feel that since the UN has already started on, i hope justice will be done and such matters would not repeat itself should a war come up in future. Although the authenticity of the photos are doubted, regardless of whether it is true or not, i still feel that such matters should be looked into so that should this really be true, they will be punished as well act as a example for those who have such intentions.
Well, war, is a game of victory and loss. This was the thinking of people in the past, but, now, who on earth would say that war is a winning or losing game? In my opinion, war, equals to losing of properties, lives and destruction of the whole nation.
Prisoners of war, I can say that they are part of these losses. Why? This is so as POWs aren’t counted as human to the country which holds them in captive. The way they are being hurled abused at, the way they are harassed, be it physically or mentally and these scenes are even filmed and showed to the countries whose soldiers are the ones being held captive, it is indeed, a painstaking feel for the prisoners of wars’ family and friends who view such happenings.
The Americans, they are the supposed leaders to led the world to peace. However, they aren’t doing their part, and instead, they are the ones who broke the rule of peace. War may be a ugly, however, at least, basic human rights should be kept.
Like for example the Al Jazeera incident, the Americans accused them of not kepting to human rights law and show the POWs being hurt and the pathetic conditions they are in. On the other hand, they themselves did that a day before but being a big country, I feel that they somehow acted as a “bully” and always have double standards in their doings. The case is that, they do not allow other countries to contradict laws but they themselves are the ones who do away with the regulations that they had set up.
Furthermore, if the United nations government had found US guilty of having double standards, personally, I am quite curious about how the other countries might react upon this findings. The US has always been looked upon as a big brother and leader, so when the leader loses control and trust, what would the followers’ reactions be?
I believe that the UN is doing a good job and has not lost its responsibility of upholding peace and justice in the world. By having investigations carried out on the mistreatment of war detainees by US officials, it shows that the UN is making an attempt to stop all mistreatment and abuse of prisoners of war. This is a small step that will bring about a great difference in the future. I would to call it the stepping stone to human rights.
The action taken by the UN shows that despite US being seen as the “superior nation” by countries, it does not give them any right to do as they please. In this scenario, they did not have any right of mistreating the war detainees to an extent of stripping the detainees’ dignity and pride by forcing them to do acts that degrades any moral being like having the detainees crawl around naked. What the US did to these detainees and pictures that provide proof are appalling and definitely have shocked people worldwide. This has definitely crack that perfect façade(if I many say so) of the US being peace makers and helping those in need whether they seek help or not, for example having intrude into Iraq and play ‘government’. I believe that President Bush should take part of the blame for having ‘nurtured’ and ‘train’ 600 US military officials to carry such acts of cruelty in the name of ‘justice’ under the ‘war against terror’.
What is even more shocking is that not all of the people that have been caught and imprisoned are proven guilty of any act of terrorism. They could merely be innocent and happen to be at the wrong place or wrong time.
Furthermore, "many abuses were never investigated, and investigations that did occur often closed prematurely, or stalled without resolution," shows that the government is being negligent to serious matters such as this. How could they dismiss these wrongdoings easily even when they have signed an agreement to International Convention Against Torture which bans torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.
To conclude, I believe that the US should stop seeing torture and other forms of mistreatment towards prisoners of war as an acceptable act in the name of justice. Yes, vital information may be gained from the acts of torture o the prisoners, but the question is whether these acts are being carried out accordingly to those who are guilty. If they continue to torture the innocent and prisoners of war in the masses, how could they ever receive any vital information that may help in the ‘war against terror’? It contradicts their image of peacekeepers and helpers when they are the ones terrorizing and exploiting their power of a superior country. Hence, I do wish that justice will prevail by the UN against the US and may those who are guilty of such condemnable acts be punished accordingly.
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Like everyone had said, war is definitely ugly. But we should look at that one face of humans which can be even uglier, it is quite sad to know that all this destructive moments that we have in history are actually between our very own kind.
But this issue of the torture which is carried out on the POWs is probably mutually done in a form of vicious cycle. We should ask ourselves, how can war be fair and totally justified? It is obviously impossible.
Now that the matter is blown, the UN is taking measures on the US but this is not fair to the US even though they really have pictures to prove US guilty of tormenting the POWs. Yes, they may be guilty but are we right to say the the other say is not guilty simply because we have no pictures to justify.
I agree completely with Mr Lee that we wouldnt be surprised if the numbers were sweeping exaggerations just to hide their sore state of losing. If we would wish to push the blame, we should snap back in time and recall the 911 issue? Now who is the agressor?
War is ugly and we'll go all outs with unethical methods and strategy just to get a upperhand in surviving. No one is the winner when both are losers because it takes two hands to clap- with a result of all the casualities.
Why should the US or anyone for that matter, come to the extent of torturing others? I feel that the act of torturing others is simply ridiculous and inhumane. In my opinion, US have absolutely no right to violate the International Convention Against Torture and that it should be bounded by this treaty that prohibits torture and cruelty. Just because the US are looked upon as the superior in this world, does not give them the right to torture others. Even if the US were to capture prisoners of war, they do not necessarily need to torture those prisoners just to get information. Why degrade these unfortunate people to that extent? There are many other ways to obtain information from than besides torture. Why resort to such cruel measures? The fact that the US are actually violating the International Convention Against Torture, indirectly implies that torture is okay, when the truth is, it is not okay. Since the so-called superior country is doing it, it is also a form a example to others. Others might follow in the US’s steps and think that torture and cruelty is perfectly fine.
The so-called fight against terror that started in 2001, in my opinion, is just to cover up their dirty acts of torturing prisoners of war. They torture these unfortunate people, and claim that they are doing all these in the name of fighting against acts of terrorism. However, what they do not realise is that, by doing this, they themselves are carrying out acts of terrorism. Why point fingers to others? The US would do well to reflect on their own actions before pointing fingers to others and putting the blame on others. They themselves are not being exemplary in conduct, thus they should not say that they are fighting terrorism. It is simply a ridiculous statement. It does not make sense for the US to torture others and claim that they are doing all these in the name of fighting against terrorism.
I support the fact that the UN Committee on Torture is looking into the records of the US. It would definitely be good if the US is held internationally accountable for its record. They US should be cross-examined on a regular basis so as to ensure that they do not violate the International Convention Against Torture, time and again. I hope the UN will do its very best to maintain peace among the countries and eliminate such acts of torture and cruelty that are unjust and simply inhumane.
I am outraged every single time this kind of thing happens. Some of the US soldiers really took the advantage of torturing the prisoners of war (POW) as a form of entertainment. However, when POW from US were interviewed, US is making so much noise about it. The Iraqis were not even doing anything to physically hurt or humiliate them.
I think that there is a discrimination against the muslims. My first point is that US and Israel form a strong alliance so whatever decisions that Israel make, US seem to support them. Like Israel crossing into Palestin and starting their housing construction there without Palestin's approval and nobody seems to be doing anything about it. My second point is regarding the Danish caricatures that were published by some European countries. What the hell! It's like suddenly Islam got a bad name. Also, there are websites on the Internet that claim they provide information about Islam when they are actually giving people the wrong idea. Really irritating!
I think that the real war that any country has to fight should be its internal conflicts such as corruption in its government, straying youths and need for more natural resources. What is the use of invading other countries and trying to demolish their regimes when your own country is not even perfect? If US is not careful, they will lose out on their military strength soon. Where are their rescue squads when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans? Why is their recovery process so slow?
I have digressed too much. Back to anti-torture. Tell me, by demolishing Saddam's regime, President Bush said that they are liberating the people but are the people really spared? Obviously some of the Iraqians would want to fight back, hence the reason for attacking the US troops but the Iraqians are not called soldiers in the eyes of US and those people who support US' decision to invade Iraq. They are called terrorists. Who are the terrorists now?
I think, in the first place, when US invades Iraq, they have already began their torture.
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