Amnesty International, which published a report last week detailing the British Army's alleged involvement in the deaths of 37 civilians in disputed circumstances, says it is "astonishing" that the US and Britain are not keeping track of civilian casualties. "Unless this takes place it is very difficult to find out what is going on. We do not believe that it is not possible."
A spokesman for the US-based Human Rights Watch said: "What is essential is to find out why any civilian death or injury is happening. An investigation is needed into the tactics and weapons causing this."
Sir Menzies Campbell, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats and the party's spokesman on foreign affairs, said: "The failure to keep account of civilian casualties is monstrous. It gives the impression that the lives of ordinary Iraqi citizens are worth less than those of soldiers.
UK Independent article
A spokesman for the US-based Human Rights Watch said: "What is essential is to find out why any civilian death or injury is happening. An investigation is needed into the tactics and weapons causing this."
Sir Menzies Campbell, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats and the party's spokesman on foreign affairs, said: "The failure to keep account of civilian casualties is monstrous. It gives the impression that the lives of ordinary Iraqi citizens are worth less than those of soldiers.
Impression? The only reason we count the soldiers is that we can claim some war glory for them. And those "high value targets"? We must put those up on the board.
Not to mention, the Geneva Conventions charge an occupying force with the task of keeping track of civilian deaths.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
