The United Nations' top human rights official said today that the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers could constitute a war crime, and he called for the immediate naming of an international figure to oversee the situation.
Information Clearinghouse article
So? The U.N. is essentially impotent. And we are exempt from war crimes prosecution. What international figure has any clout? Who does this pipsqueak think he's dealing with?
[A UN report] also noted approvingly that Iraqis had gained a freedom of expression never enjoyed during the years of Hussein rule.
Really?
Tuesday 16 December 2003
"Any demonstration against the government or coalition forces will be fired upon" -- U.S.-backed Regional Governor Hussein al-Jaburi
U.S. troops forcibly broke up at least four attempted pro-Saddam demonstrations and three soldiers were wounded when a bomb went off as their Humvee patrolled the streets.
... An hour later, a handful of military vehicles returned, one carrying the U.S.-backed regional governor Hussein al-Jaburi, while a recording of his voice boomed a warning to would-be Saddam loyalists.
"Any demonstration against the government or coalition forces will be fired upon," Jaburi's voice said, according to an army interpreter. "This is a fair warning."
Demonstrators risk a year in jail and, if they work for the state as civil servants or teachers, they will loose their jobs, the message said. All demonstrations are illegal in the U.S.-occupied province.
"They are not allowed to go around kissing pictures of Saddam in this city," Russell said. "It will not happen."
Truthout article
"Any demonstration against the government or coalition forces will be fired upon" -- U.S.-backed Regional Governor Hussein al-Jaburi
U.S. troops forcibly broke up at least four attempted pro-Saddam demonstrations and three soldiers were wounded when a bomb went off as their Humvee patrolled the streets.
... An hour later, a handful of military vehicles returned, one carrying the U.S.-backed regional governor Hussein al-Jaburi, while a recording of his voice boomed a warning to would-be Saddam loyalists.
"Any demonstration against the government or coalition forces will be fired upon," Jaburi's voice said, according to an army interpreter. "This is a fair warning."
Demonstrators risk a year in jail and, if they work for the state as civil servants or teachers, they will loose their jobs, the message said. All demonstrations are illegal in the U.S.-occupied province.
"They are not allowed to go around kissing pictures of Saddam in this city," Russell said. "It will not happen."
And that goes double for reporters.
April 16, 2003
Kate Adie, a veteran BBC war correspondent, in an interview with Irish radio, said that the Pentagon had threatened to fire on the satellite uplink positions of independent journalists in Iraq. When she questioned the consequences of such potentially fatal actions, a senior Pentagon officer said: "Who cares.. ..They've been warned."
Alternet forum
Kate Adie, a veteran BBC war correspondent, in an interview with Irish radio, said that the Pentagon had threatened to fire on the satellite uplink positions of independent journalists in Iraq. When she questioned the consequences of such potentially fatal actions, a senior Pentagon officer said: "Who cares.. ..They've been warned."
March 30, 2004
The US-led coalition in Iraq has closed a newspaper sponsored by a popular anti-American Shiite cleric, accusing it of creating unrest and inciting violence against occupation forces.
The Age article
The US-led coalition in Iraq has closed a newspaper sponsored by a popular anti-American Shiite cleric, accusing it of creating unrest and inciting violence against occupation forces.
