(Blair) Government 'breached duty' on Iraq

Barrett808

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Feb-11-08 02:18 PM
Original message

(Blair) Government 'breached duty' on Iraq

Source: Press Association Ltd.

The Blair Government breached its duty to the men and women of the armed forces by failing to ensure in advance that the invasion of Iraq was lawful and justified, a powerful committee of nine Law Lords has been told.

"That duty is owed to soldiers who are under the unique compulsory control of the State and have to obey orders," said Rabinder Singh QC, for the mothers of two 19-year-old men killed in Iraq.

"They have to put their lives in harm's way if necessary because their country demands it. There is what some people call a military covenant between the State and those who are literally prepared to put their lives at risk for the sake of their country."

The Lords are hearing a renewed bid by Beverley Clarke and Rose Gentle to force the government to order a public inquiry into Britain's involvement in the Iraq conflict.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

xchrom

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Feb-11-08 02:23 PM
Response to Original message

1. recommend

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

jtrockville

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Feb-11-08 03:10 PM
Response to Original message

2. BBC has a story on this too (LINK)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7238172.stm

The mothers say the right to life, enshrined in Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, obliges the government to take reasonable steps to ensure its service personnel do not face the risk of death except in lawful military activities.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Hissyspit

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Tue Feb-12-08 06:57 AM
Response to Original message

3. Mothers of (British Soldiers Killed in Iraq) Take Case for Inquiry to Law Lords

Source: Times UK

February 12, 2008

Mothers of Iraq victims take case for inquiry to law lords

Michael Evans, Defence Editor
The “overwhelming” body of legal advice received by the Government in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was that it would be unlawful without a proper mandate by the United Nations, nine law lords were told yesterday.

Lawyers at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had made it clear that a second resolution by the UN was required to authorise the invasion, and both the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Treasury Solicitor had raised concerns about the legality of the war, Rabinder Singh, QC, said. Mr Singh was appearing on behalf of two mothers whose sons died in Iraq. Rose Gentle, mother of Fusilier Gordon Gentle, 19, and Beverley Clarke, mother of Trooper David Clarke, also 19, took their case to the House of Lords after the Court of Appeal rejected their request for a public inquiry into Britain’s part in the war.

Mr Singh said that the Government had failed to take “reasonable steps” to ensure that the invasion of Iraq was lawful. He said that this was crucial because members of the Armed Forces were in a unique position, obliged to obey the orders of the State.

The case continues today.

Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3353373.ece

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Hissyspit

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Tue Feb-12-08 06:57 AM
Response to Reply #3

4. .

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

babylonsister

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Tue Feb-12-08 06:57 AM
Response to Reply #3

5. I wish stories like these would see the light of day in my country. nt

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

LynnTheDem

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Tue Feb-12-08 09:34 AM
Response to Original message

6. Well let's see...did the UK's top Justice declare an invasion of Iraq ILLEGAL?

Well gee...yes he did!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5121232

Did the UN declare an invasion of Iraq would be ILLEGAL?

Well gee, yes they did!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5121232

Did the majority of the world's legal experts say the invasion of Iraq would be ILLEGAL?

Well gee, yes they did!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5121232

The bLiar government didn't "fail". They KNEW it was ILLEGAL.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Tue Apr 30th 2024, 11:01 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.