Trump's Blackwater pardons an affront to justice, say UN experts

[DonViejo]

Source: The Guardian/Reuters



Rights experts say pardon of four contractors over Iraq killings undermine humanitarian law

Reuters in Geneva
Wed 30 Dec 2020 07.17 EST

Donald Trump’s pardon of four American men convicted of killing Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007 violated US obligations under international law, United Nations human rights experts have said.

Nicholas Slatten was convicted of first-degree murder and Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted of voluntary and attempted manslaughter over an incident in which US contractors opened fire in busy traffic in a Baghdad square and killed 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians.

The four contractors, who worked for the private security firm Blackwater, owned by the brother of Trump’s education secretary, were included in a wave of pre-Christmas pardons announced by the White House.

“Pardoning the Blackwater contractors is an affront to justice and to the victims of the Nisour Square massacre and their families,” said Jelena Aparac, the chair of the UN working group on the use of mercenaries.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/30/trumps-blackwater-pardons-an-affront-to-justice-say-un-experts

[Judi Lynn]

1. I wonder if the International Criminal Court could have value here. They should be held responsible.

The power of evil shouldn't get the last word.

[hlthe2b]

2. Given the US never signed on to join the ICC, no.

[bdamomma]

12. can that be

overturned due the mass murders that are still taking place in the US.

[RainCaster]

8. They can be held responsible at the ICC

It doesn't matter if we signed on to the agreement or not, this took place in a country that ratified the Roman Statute. That's all that's needed.

[hlthe2b]

11. No. Double jeopardy in the US is attached. Nor would US extradite.

Not saying it is right. But it is legal. ICC does have jurisdiction for crimes in its member countries, but it does not attach to those nonmember countries that have developed judicial systems and that do prosecute its citizens for these crimes.

[keithbvadu2]

3. In the long run, Trump will be gone and it will be: 'America condones war crimes'.

Trump pardons more war criminals

In the long run, Trump will be gone and it will be: 'America condones war crimes'.

Whenever America brings up enemy war crimes, they will have a ready-made response.

The Trump legacy... war crimes are ok when done by America.

Donald has given them a strong propaganda tool.

[RandiFan1290]

4. Americans LOVE revenge stories froim WW2

These families have every right to exact their revenge against these murderers.

[3825-87867]

5. Somewhere -

lieutenant William Calley is wondering if it's too late to support trump.

[llashram]

6. this

[llashram]

7. we're the bad guys here

trump is in his glory at this hog feeding trough. What a loser and 70 million are his suckers.

[2naSalit]

9. And...

Biden could always decide to join the ICC.

[Mr.Bill]

13. I wonder which police department in Texas will hire them. n/t