NEWS: Iraqis Want an End to US Troop Immunity

POLITICS: Iraqis Want an End to US Troop Immunity

Iraqis seem to have become tired of having their citizens victimized by some members of the US military and not be able to mete out their own justice, as they requested the UN allow US occupation forces to be subject to Iraqi law for any breaches in conduct that take place on Iraqi soil. UN Resolution 1546 kept an order in effect that maintained immunity for all soldiers and contractors in Iraq from the justice system of the Iraqi government, and in wake of the killings in Haditha, the extensive torture in Abu Ghraib and the more recent rape case in Mahmudiya, the Iraqi government wants to be able to deal with crimes against its own citizens its own way.

The US military has traditionally dealt internally through the court martial system with any violations of local law done by personnel while on active duty in a foreign country, though as Snow points out, that is a matter of treaty between the US government and the government of whatever country the military is in at the time. What's a stickier point for many Iraqis is the fact that contractors doing work for the US government in Iraq are currently enjoying those same priveliges, when it is the policy of the US state department that "while in a foreign country, [US citizens] are subject to its laws."

While military court martials will likely punish the offenders in these incidents appropriately (at least by our standards) it's not surprising that Iraqis would like the occupational forces (and the civilians who work for and with them) to follow the same laws that private citizens are expected to follow, and to punish them according to their local customs. What's an even sadder sign is that the US doesn't seem to have enough faith in the judicial system which it created when Saddam Hussein was deposed to trust it to treat its military personnel.

Well, quite frankly, I'm not sure I would either.

It isn't like the contractors are doing anything wrong. I mean come on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BDByPfIavQ&search=iraq%20contractors Freedom and stuff. What ever you need. Heres a fetus lets get 'em

If the [Iraqi] people really got justice, members of this [Presidential administration] [sic] would be on trial for commencing an illegal war and initiating crimes against, humanity. Who the fuck is benefitting from this repulsive mess?! Certainly not the Iraqis (civil war and thousands of dead civilians are proof enough), not U.S. soldiers many of them come back messed up in the head, missing a limb, in need of perpetual medical attention, or worse in a wooden box covered in pretty fabric, not the American public (rising energy costs, unemployment, wars on multiple fronts; the war on terror, the war on drugs, the war on poverty...). What the fuck is going on here? "Operation Iraqi Freedom," "Mission Accomplished," Fuck this bullshit! The American military should be dropping food not bombs! Let's look on the bright side, at least all those companies making bombs, guns, tanks, bullets, and other assorted implements of death are cashing in on this fucking orgy of rape, death, and destruction. "This war's a motherfucker, how many sons will we kill today..." "Let's have a party, bring a gun..."- james
Is this our humanity?

Don't you have a protest to go to? Some weed to go smoke? Anything?

What a surprise

Yes sir! I protested, got high, came back, typed some shit.

"Germany calling, Germany calling"

Yup, there's that freedom you brought them.

I suspect the hypothetical position of "trooper with his finger on the trigger" is rather more pleasant than the hypothetical "bystander on the receiving end of a bullet" position.

Oh my God, how do people get raped and tortured in the line of fire?

Did you even read the article?

+1

Do we get a trial first? Or should it be done Iraq style?

All ya'll just come here. Bring your own blindfolds and cigarettes. Don't worry, I'm a damn fine shot. You wont suffer.

oh wait, shit.

Sorry, I have plans. How is....ummm Thursday after next?

I completely agree that the Iraqi government should be allowed an active role in the investigations of incidents like Haditha.
As for allowing them to punish our troops, I don't really see it happening, so there really isn't much for me to say about it.

As I figured the typical liberal, sarcasim would ensue. Casualties are something that occur during a war. People die; women, dogs, children, troops etc. You fucking degenerates just tune into the liberal media, find a story and something to bitch about. Stop making it out to be like the Americans are doing what the rebels of Darfur are doing to people. You honestly think we went in there to rape women and get oil as well as kill people for sport? Get a fucking life. You ignorant fucks are the most worthless citizens in this country. Try looking at the good we have done for those people. I can tell you firsthand that the people of Iraq are grateful for everything we have done in toppling the Saddam regime. But then again you fuckwits can't see anything good, you just keep smoking your pot and protesting with your lame banners. You are an embarrasment to our county.

Strawmen are scary. Thank God you're here to beat them with your baggage.

Jesus Christ, rants from both sides with no real conection to the fucking topic! WTF this shit is getting old.

And you appear to be forgetting that some of them are raping, murdering and torturing... I don't support that.

Yes they do.

On behalf of all Canadians... stay the fuck out of my country until you grow a fucking clue.

Yeah! Fuck that free speech and free association shit! Librul hippe bullcrap!

Real Americans recognize when their country fucks up and try to fix it. Unlinke jingo spewing assholes who shout and scream until people fall in line just to shut them up.

Dude, just because freedom is being "protected" doesn't mean anybody should use it!

What I find fascinating about Spinhouse's first rant is that it seems to get longer every time I come back to look through the thread. I just read the part you quoted and there's a whole new paragraph's (well, what should be a a new paragraph's) worth of stuff.

But you're right.

Anyway, I think odds of the US ever allowing a US soldier to be tried under Iraqi law are about the same as the odds of Jimmy Carter hopping on a plane, flying to Iran, and declaring himself Ayatollah.

I noticed that too. It seemed more vitriolic the second time I read it.

Yeah, pretty much.

Carter is more than a little off, so I give him better odds

I just double checked the meaning of Inshallah on
Two Chaps Talking. What a marvelously succint term.

The above responses = ignorance defined. You wonder why the democratic party has gained no ground in this country. None of you can come together and stand firm on anything. You imbociles sit here and bicker, quote the NY Times (mind you they are currently under investigation for leaking information regarding national security). I don't think there is one serviceman in Iraq that would seek out an Iraqi woman and rape her. The stories conjured up in the media are mostly laughable. Of course once again the US is doing something good people feel the need to undermine it. Americans suffer because of you asshats and the men and women defending you suffer more. The fact that you protest anything having to do with this country's well being is sickening. You may as well strap a bomb to yourself and get on a subway in NYC. I just pray the NYC SWAT team blows your head off before you blow yourself up.