To: Rebelbase
Under the Geneva conventions the burial of war dead "should be honourable, and, if possible, according to the rites of the religion to which the deceased belonged". Islamic fascists fighters do not fall under the rules of the Geneva Convention. They are "unlawful combatants", not regular Army soldiers who are protected under International rules and laws.
Under the United States military "Law of Armed Conflict" (LOAC) rules, the Taliban fighters are not given the same rights and privileges as would be awarded lawful combatants.
For instance, LOAC rules state that an opposing force must wear a distinct and recognizable military uniform. This is a big deal. If any military soldier, airman, or seaman is caught behind enemy lines not wearing his uniform, he is treated as a spy, and there are no POW, Geneva Convention, or International laws to protect him or her.
The Taliban chooses to fight outside the laws of the Geneva Convention, yet this liberal Australian newspaper wants them awarded such a privilege.
No dice.
29 posted on
10/19/2005 9:09:00 AM PDT by
SkyPilot
To: SkyPilot
For instance, LOAC rules state that an opposing force must wear a distinct and recognizable military uniform. This is a big deal. If any military soldier, airman, or seaman is caught behind enemy lines not wearing his uniform, he is treated as a spy, and there are no POW, Geneva Convention, or International laws to protect him or her.
Why do lefties ignore this? They cite the GC and they aren't even aware that it doesn't apply to our present enemies. Anyone in a combat zone with a weapon and without a uniform is considered a spy or an illegal combatant under the GC. Spies have no rights or priveliges under the GC. Basically, if our men capture illegal combatants/spies, then the CO on the scene can do with them as he pleases (within the context of orders he may have from superior officers). He could let them go. He could have them put in a prison camp. He could turn them over to local authorities to be dealt with. Or, he could have them bound, gagged, lined up in a row and have them shot in the back of the head one at a time. All of which is totally legal under the GC.
The fact that Americans are a basically good people is why we don't do such things.
This story, however, is probably BS. But even if it weren't, it would be pretty good PsyOps. General Pershing used such tactics against islamic rebels in the Phillipines at the turn of the century with great effect.
More people might be aware of that fact if they actually taught history in school these days...
52 posted on
10/19/2005 9:25:44 AM PDT by
JamesP81
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