Understandable request, given our current record
Quote of note:
An Asian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IPS he is confident the United States will exert enough pressure on Council members to get the resolution adopted.
''But in the context of all the gross human rights abuses in Baghdad, the debate may also provide a much-needed platform for U.S.-bashing,'' he predicted.
U.S. Wants Another U.N. Exemption from War Crimes Law
Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (IPS) - The United States is pushing for a new U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at exempting its troops from prosecution for war crimes when they serve in any U.N. peacekeeping operations.
If granted, the request would renew an exemption first permitted in 2000 and grudgingly repeated by the world body in 2003. It comes as the international community is outraged at abuse, including torture, committed by U.S. soldiers and other personnel against prisoners in a jail in occupied Iraq.
''Given the recent revelations from Abu Ghraib prison (in Baghdad),'' says Richard Dicker of Human Rights Watch (HRW), ''the U.S. government has picked one hell of a moment to ask for special treatment on war crimes.''
''The U.N. Security Council should not grant special favours to any country, including the United States,'' added Dicker, director of the International Justice programme at HRW.
