UK About To Join The War Crimes Bandwagon

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As CNN is now reporting, an Iraqi General has been captured.

Interesting point, though, is that the UK Officer (who I believe was also a general, or at least somewhere thereabouts in the UK power structure) indicated that "hopefully he will be able to tell us something about their defenses, etc. etc." (paraphrased on that last bit).

Here's a clue for the Brits: If you ask anything more than Name, Rank, Serial Number and Date of Birth, you go on trial. That's the way it works. You're not even allowed to ask for military information from the prisoner, as (since you have power to end the prisoner's life) that's coercion, as defined by the Geneva Convention.

Anyone want to bet if the Brits will actually obey? :)

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Article 17 of the Geneva Convention: http://193.194.138.190/html/menu3/b/91.htm

Every prisoner of war, when questioned on the subject, is bound to give only his surname, first names and rank, date of birth, and army, regimental, personal or serial number, or failing this, equivalent information. If he wilfully infringes this rule, he may render himself liable to a restriction of the privileges accorded to his rank or status.

blah. blah. blah.

No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever. Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be threatened, insulted, or exposed to any unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kind.

blah. blah.

The questioning of prisoners of war shall be carried out in a language which they understand.