international law

Cruise Missile Attacks in Yemen

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:47:22 -0500

by Glenn Greenwald

Given what a prominent role "Terrorism" plays in our political discourse, it's striking how little attention is paid to American actions which have the most significant impact on that problem. In addition to our occupation of Iraq, war escalation in Afghanistan, and secret bombings in Pakistan, President Obama late last week ordered cruise missile attacks on two locations in Yemen, which "U.S.

CIA Used Mock Execution to Get Al-Qaeda Info: Report

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:54:59 -0400

WASHINGTON - US Central Intelligence Agency interrogators used a handgun and an electric drill to try to frighten a captured Al-Qaeda commander into giving up information, The Washington Post reported.

Citing a report by the agency's inspector general and unnamed former and current US officials, the newspaper said the tactics were used on Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri.

Conflicts to Get More 'Pernicious': ICRC Chief

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:26:24 -0400

GENEVA - Conflicts will get ever more "pernicious," the ICRC's chief said Wednesday on the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, as he made a fresh plea for armed groups and states to protect civilians and detainees.

"On the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, I make a heartfelt plea to states and non-state armed groups who are also bound by their provisions to show the requisite political will to turn legal provisions into a meaningful reality," said Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Big Powers Faulted for Abuse of Geneva Conventions

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:34:51 -0400

by Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS - When human rights groups accused the United States of violating the Geneva Conventions governing the treatment of prisoners-of-war (PoWs) in Iraq and Afghanistan, the administration of former President George W. Bush either displayed arrogance or feigned ignorance of the implications of abusing humanitarian laws.

Rights Groups Appeal For UN Investigation of Rendition

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:21:50 -0400

by William Fisher

NEW YORK- Charging that the U.S. government was complicit in the forced disappearance of an influential Muslim scholar four years ago, human rights groups in the U.S., the U.K., and Switzerland have asked the U.N. to investigate.

In a letter to the U.N., the organizations say Mustafa Setmariam Nassar, a Spanish citizen, was arrested by Pakistani officials and handed over to U.S. officials in Oct. 2005 and has not been heard from since.

Shadow Wars

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:50:24 -0400

by Conn Hallinan

Sudan: The two F-16s caught the trucks deep in the northern desert. Within minutes, the column of vehicles was a string of shattered wrecks burning fiercely in the January sun. Surveillance drones spotted a few vehicles that had survived the storm of bombs and cannon shells, and the fighter-bombers returned to finish the job.

Israel on Trial

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:23:30 -0400

by George Bisharat

SAN FRANCISCO - Chilling testimony by Israeli soldiers substantiates charges that Israel's Gaza Strip assault entailed grave violations of international law. The emergence of a predominantly right-wing, nationalist government in Israel suggests that there may be more violations to come. Hamas's indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli civilians also constituted war crimes, but do not excuse Israel's transgressions. While Israel disputes some of the soldiers' accounts, the evidence suggests that Israel committed the following six offenses:

American Lawyers in Gaza: Evidence That Israel Violated International Law, US Domestic Law Implicated

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:03:25 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2009

National Lawyers Guild (NLG)

Israel violated international law by targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, misusing weapons, deliberately denying medical care to the wounded and attacking medical personnel, the National Lawyers Guild Delegation to Gaza said today upon releasing a 37 page report containing new evidence on the facts surrounding Israel's 22 day military offensive in Gaza. The full report can be viewed at www.nlg.org. Photos are also available upon request.

Under Obama, US Drops Hostility to ICC: Experts

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:33:42 -0400

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's administration has dropped outright US hostility toward the world's first permanent war crimes court, but it is still a far cry from joining it, experts say.

US officials say the new team is reviewing its policy on the International Criminal Court (ICC) after former president George W. Bush's administration snubbed it and drew fire that it was showing contempt for international law.

But the Obama administration faces several obstacles if it wants to join.

IDF in Gaza: Killing Civilians, Vandalism, and Lax Rules of Engagement

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:58:32 -0400

by Amos Harel

During Operation Cast Lead, Israeli forces killed Palestinian civilians under permissive rules of engagement and intentionally destroyed their property, say soldiers who fought in the offensive.

The soldiers are graduates of the Yitzhak Rabin pre-military preparatory course at Oranim Academic College in Tivon. Some of their statements made on Feb. 13 will appear Thursday and Friday in Haaretz. Dozens of graduates of the course who took part in the discussion fought in the Gaza operation.