A report into alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by British troops claims soldiers were given only "scant" guidance on how to treat civilian detainees.Troops must be taught "a better understanding between right and wrong", according to the report issued today following a two-year inquiry.
However, the author, Brigadier Robert Aitken, said there was no evidence of endemic abuse.
Who the heck are these troops who have to be “taught” that abuse is “wrong”? I thought they might be discussing “legal”, but “wrong”? Who past the age of 3 thinks abuse is “right”?
I’m not buying it. The much better explanation is that they were “taught” that abuse was not just legal, but proper. They already knew it was wrong.
The inquiry was commissioned after the deaths of Baha Mousa, a hotel receptionist who died in British custody with 93 separate injuries, and 16-year-old Ahmed Jabber Kareem, who drowned after allegedly being forced to swim across a river.[...]
The head of the army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, insisted lessons had been learned and he was "satisfied that the standards of behaviour are now understood by all our people".
They were understood before. The lessons learned were that abusive behavior isn’t quite yet ready for prime time audiences.
By the way, Kareem couldn’t swim, so they watched him drown.
Six out of seven soldiers charged in relation with Mousa's death were cleared but one soldier, Corporal Donald Payne, pleaded guilty to inhumane treatment. Two soldiers were acquitted of involvement in Kareem's death.
Yeah, that’ll teach ‘em a lesson.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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