Armed groups in Iraq that oppose the U.S.-led coalition are committing war crimes by killing civilians, taking hostages and torturing and slaying defenseless prisoners, the human rights group Amnesty International said.
 | Wowzers! Even Amnesia International noticed? |
The London-based organization also said it recognized that many Iraqis believe U.S.-led troops also have committed grave human rights violations. But it denounced the Iraqi insurgents for a "failure to abide by even the most basic standards of humanitarian law."
| I think we've mentioned a time or two here how gleeful they are in flouting minimal standards of decency, but we're a bunch of infidels, so what the hell do we know? |
"There is no honor nor heroism in blowing up people going to pray or murdering a terrified hostage. Those carrying out such acts are criminals, nothing less, whose actions undermine any claim they may have to be pursuing a legitimate cause," Amnesty said. The Amnesty International report — "In Cold Blood: Abuses by Armed Groups" — said insurgents were guilty of direct attacks intended to cause the greatest possible loss of civilian life, indiscriminate attacks resulting in the deaths of civilians, targeting humanitarian organizations, abductions and killing captured and defenseless police and military personnel. The report, released last week, said it was impossible to calculate how many civilians had died in Iraq as a result of these attacks. "We urge armed groups to immediately cease all attacks against civilians and all other abuses," Amnesty International said. "Armed groups, like other parties to the conflict in Iraq, are required to comply strictly with international law in all their acts and remain accountable for their actions."
| Naturally, the AP article goes on to bitch about the U.S. standards of conduct, but you probably guessed that. |
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