(Canadian) Troops told Geneva rules don't apply to Taliban

[donsu]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060530.wxdetainee30/BNStory/Afghanistan/home


Canadian troops in Afghanistan have been told the Geneva Conventions and Canadian regulations regarding the rights of prisoners of war don't apply to Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters captured on the battlefield.

That decision strips detainees of key rights and protections under the rules of war, including the right to be released at the end of the conflict and not to be held criminally liable for lawful combat.

“The whole purpose of those regulations is to know if Geneva applies,” said Amir Attaran, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who has been pressing the Defence Department for details of its detainee policy for months.

-snip-

Captured fighters don't deserve these rights because this isn't a war between countries, says Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier, who commands the Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command and thus oversees all Canadian Forces deployed abroad.

“They are not entitled to prisoner-of-war status but they are entitled to prisoner-of-war treatment,” he said, asserting that all detainees are humanely treated.
-snip-
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the Canadian neo-cons hard at work

[hobbit709]

1. And if side A thinks the rules

don't apply to side B, what makes them think the rules will be applied by B against A? These rules were devised for a reason and if one side ignores the rules then all bets are off. Funny how some people/goverments can claim "moral superiority" when what they are doing is worse than what they claim they're against.

[Spangle]

2. Welll...

At this point, the war is suppose to be over. When the war is over, different rules do apply. MAybe that is what they mean. Once the war is over, the military is more like 'cops', then a war machine. Another words, and prisoners would be considered 'law breakers' not 'prisoners-of-war.' WE are no longer fighting a 'war', we are peace troops/etc.

WE tend to forget that this stage of the game can be even more dangorus then the actual 'war.' The 'emeny' dresses like the civilians, etc. They ARE civilians, their military is suppose to be 'no more.'

Since the war is all ready over... when exactly are these guys who now are 'rebels' be released? They shouldn't, they should be turned over to the law to deal with.

[donsu]

3. your making points on a fantasy

come back to reality - it's a criminal, illegal invasion and ongoing occupation.

[Spangle]

5. Excuse ME?

Hey Troll,
I believe I mentioned it was an occupation force.. which is DIFFERENT then WAR. Which is what the question related to. The rest of your spew is just an attempt to offend. Now WHY would you try to offend ME? Dd you NOT want it pointed out that there is a difference in fighting a WAR and Occuping a country? Do you NOT think that the American public needs to get that into their heads. So the next time they want to run in and drop some bombs, they will realize the TRUE cost of their 'games?' Many didn't think that far in advance.

I'm so very sorry I didn't just do a one liner like you. Next time I will try not to discuss things, just spew one liners. Good Grief, this is the DU! Just about everyone HERE all ready realizes it was criminal, illegal invasion. Glad you got that point. Try learning a little bit more.

Attacking by calling someone delusionial.. let's just say I don't care who you are, or who you represent... I wouldn't have read another word you wrote. So if you WERE trying to inform, you would have failed right off the bat. I wouldn't think you knew what the 'h' you were talking about.

[Kagemusha]

4. Geneva conventions are multiple. One's for POW's, one's for civvies

Thanks to the US' mendacious arguments a lot of people out there, including now, apparently Canadian officers, don't know there's a convention dealing with civilians. Not like anyone seems to follow it.