wrbones
03-23-03, 04:10 PM
http://193.194.138.190/html/menu3/b/91.htm
The Geneva Convention
http://www.asociety.com/geneva1.html
wrbones
03-23-03, 08:39 PM
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/23/iraq/main545565.shtml
(AP) The International Committee of the Red Cross said Sunday that the screening of captured U.S. troops on Iraqi television violated the Geneva conventions, but stressed that its main priority was the safety of the prisoners.
"Our concern first and foremost is that both sides move the prisoners into a safe zone away from the combat area. And our concern is also to gain access to them," said ICRC spokesman Florian Westphal.
The Arab satellite station Al-Jazeera aired footage from Iraqi television Sunday of interviews with what the station identified as captured U.S. prisoners, and showed bodies in uniform in an Iraqi morgue that it said were American soldiers.
Television networks around the world over the weekend showed images of Iraqi prisoners captured by coalition forces.
ICRC officials said this violated Art. 13 of the 1949 Geneva conventions — which set basic humanitarian standards in armed conflict — that say that prisoners should be treated humanely and should "at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."
"It does contradict the conventions because it's public curiosity," said spokeswoman Nada Doumani. "But our priority is not to put blame on any side but to check that the prisoners are safe. Let's put the focus on getting access and ensuring safety."
"The important thing is to have people treated in a humane way," Doumani said.
The Geneva conventions empowers the ICRC to visit POWs and monitor their treatment. So far it has not been notified by either side of any prisoners, but Westphal said the organization expected Iraq and coalition forces to honor their obligations.
The ICRC is one of the few foreign aid organizations left in Iraq, where it commands widespread respect because of its long-standing humanitarian work. It has 10 expatriate workers — six in Baghdad and four in northern Iraq — plus dozens of local Iraqi staff.
Red Cross teams on Sunday visited hospitals in Baghdad, delivering surgical and other medical supplies, emergency drinking water and body bags. Hospital officials in the Iraqi capital said that 34 newly injured patients were given hospital treatment following coalition raids on Saturday. One person was killed.
The organization said it was alarmed about the situation in the southern city of Basra where water treatment facilities were switched off Friday because of a failure of the power supply system.
ICRC technicians and Iraqi engineers managed to reconnect several water treatment plants to the Shatt el-Arab river — which is salt water.
"Despite these interventions, the situation remains critical as the provisional water distribution networks only partially and temporarily cover the needs of 1,2 million residents of Basra," an ICRC statement said.
It said it was in contact with all warring parties to obtain access to the main water station in Wafaa Al-Qaid, North of Basra. The aim is to try and repair the regular water treatment and supply lines for Basra...
"The ICRC is concerned that further damages on power stations or high voltage transmission cables will disrupt the operation of water production facilities which will have a direct impact on the overall health situation of the population."
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