Haditha Iraq Massacre

Originally posted by millerman
So what do you think their punishment will be IF found guilty?, and should the trial be held in Iraq in front of the Iraqi people or will it be on US Sovereign soil?

If found guilty, they will probably serve a life sentence in a military prison. In a better world, they would be tried for war crimes in front of the International Criminal Court. I have grave concerns about the ability of a military tribunal or an Iraqi jury to act impartially in this matter.

Originally posted by bbarr
If found guilty, they will probably serve a life sentence in a military prison. In a better world, they would be tried for war crimes in from of the International Criminal Court.

Yeah...
But that would give the US the right (according to their own law) to invade the Netherlands.

And the thought of having even more McDonald's restaurants planted all over the place is revolting.

Originally posted by shavixmir
Yeah...
But that would give the US the right (according to their own law) to invade the Netherlands.

And the thought of having even more McDonald's restaurants planted all over the place is revolting.

Yeah, the Hague Invasion Act is an atrocity, and indicates the extent to which we're radically opposed to the rule of law in the international arena when there is an apparent conflict with U.S. sovereignty.

Originally posted by bbarr
Yeah, the Hague Invasion Act is an atrocity, and indicates the extent to which we're radically opposed to the rule of law in the international arena when there is an apparent conflict with U.S. sovereignty.

Seemingly European countries have signed up to an agreement to deliver criminals (or suspected criminals) to the US, if they break US law in Europe.

This to me is the most irritating of all.
If someone doesn't want to play, then he (she) should be left out of the game completely.

Oh well.
I'm off for one more whiskey and then I'm hitting the sack.
I'm sure at least one of my posts could be considered as: "Incitement to violence against US citizens" and I'd probably be best keeping low on such issues.

I'd hate to be stuck in Guatanamo bay. I can't handle torture, I blab too quickly.

Originally posted by shavixmir
Well God damn...

I just posted a post on this a few hours ago: "Oh deary, deary me..."
It seems obvious that people are not reading everything they should be reading.

I put the link to the BBC article on it as well!

pffffft.
Now I am insulted.

I saw the title "Oh dreary, dreary me..." and decided I just didn't need more dreary experiences in my life, Shav. I had no idea it was about this subject. Maybe your thread title was a tad too elusive.

Originally posted by millerman
Very true Delmer, they are entitled to a fair trial and if found guilty then an "appropiate" punsihment should be handed down to them whatever that is.

But let's not forget that all the Pro Americans (on this site) were calling for the death penalty for the 20th bomber of 9/11 .
Althought the lost of life is is greater on 9/11 hundred fold, the act of ...[text shortened]... cans to what their would be sentence would be, or what they would like their sentences to be?

And, as I recall, after due process the so-called 20th hijacker got life in prison in spite of the fact that he was of absolutely no help to his defense attorneys.

Originally posted by bbarr
If found guilty, they will probably serve a life sentence in a military prison. In a better world, they would be tried for war crimes in front of the International Criminal Court. I have grave concerns about the ability of a military tribunal or an Iraqi jury to act impartially in this matter.

Willian Calley was found guilty of mass murder, but only wound up serving a few years in custody (his period of house arrest was counted as part of his prison sentence). I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see any of those found guilty of similar atrocities in Iraq get the same treatment i.e. a long official sentence, than drastic reduction of that sentence by politicians in the Executive branch.

EDIT: Of course, I have insufficient information to say whether this particular incident occurred as reported. All wars, without exception, have had instances of crimes by soldiers of both sides; this is another good reason not to engage in war unless it is absolutely necessary.

Originally posted by no1marauder
Willian Calley was found guilty of mass murder, but only wound up serving a few years in custody (his period of house arrest was counted as part of his prison sentence). I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see any of those found guilty of similar atrocities in Iraq get the same treatment i.e. a long official sentence, than drastic reduction of that sent ...[text shortened]... both sides; this is another good reason not to engage in war unless it is absolutely necessary.

Good evening, N1M. Do you happen to know ofhand if it's legally possible that the Marines might be tried in an Iraqi court on criminal charges no matter what happens before/during/after a military trial?

Originally posted by Delmer
Good evening, N1M. Do you happen to know ofhand if it's legally possible that the Marines might be tried in an Iraqi court on criminal charges no matter what happens before/during/after a military trial?

Not offhand; I'll research it. Off the top of my head I doubt it, as the alleged crime occurred during combat operations; I seem to remember US military personnel being tried for rapes and such in other countries, but those weren't war zones. I'll see what I can find online.

Originally posted by shavixmir
Well God damn...

I just posted a post on this a few hours ago: "Oh deary, deary me..."
It seems obvious that people are not reading everything they should be reading.

I put the link to the BBC article on it as well!

pffffft.
Now I am insulted.

a lot of people probably thought you were posting about embroidery and skipped the thread.

Originally posted by no1marauder
Not offhand; I'll research it. Off the top of my head I doubt it, as the alleged crime occurred during combat operations; I seem to remember US military personnel being tried for rapes and such in other countries, but those weren't war zones. I'll see what I can find online.

Thanks. I just wondered if maybe we had legal agreements with this Iraqi government which might come into play in a situation like this.

Originally posted by zeeblebot
a lot of people probably thought you were posting about embroidery and skipped the thread.

Made me laugh, Z.

Originally posted by Delmer
Made me laugh, Z.

🙂

Originally posted by shavixmir
Yeah...
But that would give the US the right (according to their own law) to invade the Netherlands.

And the thought of having even more McDonald's restaurants planted all over the place is revolting.

do you got any Taco Bells there, yet?

Originally posted by Delmer
Thanks. I just wondered if maybe we had legal agreements with this Iraqi government which might come into play in a situation like this.

So far, the last info I have dates from 2004 when no "status of force" agreement had been reached with the Iraqi "government". Most SOFs exclude from the local court's jurisdiction any acts committed during "official duties" by US military and other personnel. Order 17 from the Coalition Provisional Authority unilaterally denied jurisdiction to Iraqi courts over any Coalition military and other personnel AND independent contractors. This Order was continued after the end of the CPA by fiat, but I'm still looking to see if it's still in force or if a SOF agreement with Iraq has been reached.