THE EDITOR, Sir:THE UNITED States has done it again!
This is one of the first responses one can conjure up after having seen the rather grotesque and downright humiliating pictures being plastered on television sets all over the world.
The Americans entered the Iraqi state under a most compromising legal status, one that is still being debated today.
To further complicate matters they are showing flagrant disregard for international conventions. Conventions to which they are signatories and parties, conventions which they use as the premise for protection of American citizens in military warfare.
Saddam Hussein's capture was presented to the world with a taste of his own medicine: violation of human rights.
It is expressly stated in the Geneva Convention, a prisoner of war ought not to be paraded for the world to see, (simply put). Yet Mr. Hussein was not only shown but a military medical personnel was inspecting him as well, so much for the good ole' human rights.
The American soldiers have apparently continued this sort of behaviour by their inhumane treatment of the Iraqi prisoners/detainees. A naked man on a box with electrical wire attached to his genitals, threatened to be electrocuted if he falls. That sounds like outright torture to me.
To heighten one's amazement and disgust is that the American soldiers were laughing. Indicating clearly that they found fun in humiliating these Iraqis.
The Geneva Convention in Articles 13 & 14 clearly indicates the illegal nature of what took place. The disregard for international law and these Iraqis is a defenceless act, one that should be met with serious consequences.
I am etc
PRINCE NETO WAITE
princeneto.waite@uwimona.edu.jm
UWI Mona, Kingston 7
Via Go-Jamaica
