“The nature of international violent conflict continues to evolve as do the
values and responsibilities of the world community.”
– Berga: Soldiers of Another War
values and responsibilities of the world community.”
– Berga: Soldiers of Another War
Long-Term Impact
Countries including the US have violated the Third Geneva Convention. Many do not consider terrorists POWs because they do not belong to a government. Instead, they label them as “detainees” or “unlawful combatants.” By using this loophole people are denied their rights.
The US has held detainees long after wars have ended, and interrogated them in attempt to get information. |
In Guantanamo US soldiers disrespected the Islamic religion of detainees.
Pictures were also taken at the Prison Camp Abu Ghraib in Iraq showing US soldiers inflicting pain and
humiliating Iraqi detainees. There are photos of torture and many other graphic images of abuse.
Interview with US Senator John McCain (Ex-POW) giving a statement about the US and its view of POWs
Rendition has been used to send detainees to countries with fewer regulations of humane
treatment to be interrogated. Water boarding is one technique used to get
information by simulation of drowning.
treatment to be interrogated. Water boarding is one technique used to get
information by simulation of drowning.
Many prison camps isolated POWs and used torture in attempt to break their
resistance and loyalties; however, it rarely worked.
resistance and loyalties; however, it rarely worked.
Torture brings up controversy around what is morally right Different arguments include:
– Torture is an attempt to get information that could save lives – Torture does not follow the Geneva Conventions – Torture is not humane; it breaks people – People are not physically harmed |
“It made me a little stronger in my way of life, after I got out. I don’t feel any ill effects from it right now. Although, I've had a lot of cancers and luckily I’ve survived them all. I’ve had Melanoma, which is caused from all the sun in
the jungles because we had no shoes and hardly any clothing.”
– Robert Hanely (Ex-POW)
the jungles because we had no shoes and hardly any clothing.”
– Robert Hanely (Ex-POW)