News-Info-Alerts

Re: Showing POWs on TV is Illegal

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: March 24, 2003

"Red Cross: Showing POWs on TV Is Illegal

By CLARE NULLIS
Associated Press Writer

March 23, 2003, 3:43 PM EST
GENEVA -- Showing footage of captured U.S. troops on Iraqi television violated the Geneva Conventions, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Sunday.

The Arab satellite station Al-Jazeera aired footage from Iraqi television Sunday of interviews with what the station identified as captured American prisoners. The footage also showed bodies in uniforms that the station said were U.S. soldiers in an Iraqi morgue.

Television networks around the world over the weekend showed images of Iraqi prisoners captured by coalition forces.

ICRC officials said this violated Article 13 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which set basic humanitarian standards in armed conflict. That article says prisoners should be treated humanely and should "at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."

"It does contradict the conventions because it's public curiosity," ICRC spokeswoman Nada Doumani said. "But our priority is not to put blame on any side but to check that the prisoners are safe. Let's put the focus on getting access and ensuring safety.

"The important thing is to have people treated in a humane way."

The Geneva Conventions empowers the Red Cross to visit prisoners of war and monitor their treatment. So far it has not been notified by either side of any prisoners, but ICRC spokesman Florian Westphal said the organization expected Iraq and coalition forces to honor their obligations.

"Our concern first and foremost is that both sides move the prisoners into a safe zone away from the combat area. And our concern is also to gain access to them," Westphal said.

Secretary of State Donald H. Rumsfeld said Sunday that coalition forces have taken more than 2,000 Iraqi prisoners of war. Rumsfeld said his message to the Iraqi military was "that they treat those prisoners according to the Geneva Conventions, just as we treat Iraqi prisoners according to the Geneva Conventions."

Army Lt. Gen. John Abizaid said in Doha, Qatar, that the ICRC will be notified soon such notification will occur soon.

"Well, certainly from our side it will be possible for the Red Cross to see our prisoners that we have taken. It will be soon."

The ICRC is one of the few foreign aid organizations left in Iraq, where it commands widespread respect because of its long-standing humanitarian work. It has dozens of staff members in Baghdad and northern Iraq.

Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press"