Violation of the Geneva Convention in Iraq
Read the World Health Organization's reports on how depleted uranium contaminates food and drinking water. Which is a direct violation of the Geneva Convention. And read how there's no plan for a clean-up strategy.
The Geneva Convention Chapter III. Civilian objects Article 54:
Art. 54. Protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population
- Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited.
It is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as food-stuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works, for the specific purpose of denying them for their sustenance value to the civilian population or to the adverse Party, whatever the motive, whether in order to starve out civilians, to cause them to move away, or for any other motive.- The prohibitions in paragraph 2 shall not apply to such of the objects covered by it as are used by an adverse Party: (a) as sustenance solely for the members of its armed forces; or (b) if not as sustenance, then in direct support of military action, provided, however, that in no event shall actions against these objects be taken which may be expected to leave the civilian population with such inadequate food or water as to cause its starvation or force its movement.
- These objects shall not be made the object of reprisals.
- In recognition of the vital requirements of any Party to the conflict in the defence of its national territory against invasion, derogation from the prohibitions contained in paragraph 2 may be made by a Party to the conflict within such territory under its own control where required by imperative military necessity.
Source: http://www.genevaconventions.org/
The World Health Organization reports on Depleted uranium:
- Following conflict, levels of DU contamination in food and drinking water might be detected in affected areas even after a few years. This should be monitored where it is considered there is a reasonable possibility of significant quantities of DU entering the ground water or food chain.
- Where justified and possible, clean-up operations in impact zones should be undertaken if there are substantial numbers of radioactive projectiles remaining and where qualified experts deem contamination levels to be unacceptable. If high concentrations of DU dust or metal fragments are present, then areas may need to be cordoned off until removal can be accomplished. Such impact sites are likely to contain a variety of hazardous materials, in particular unexploded ordnance. Due consideration needs to be given to all hazards, and the potential hazard from DU kept in perspective.
- Small children could receive greater exposure to DU when playing in or near DU impact sites. Their typical hand-to-mouth activity could lead to high DU ingestion from contaminated soil. Necessary preventative measures should be taken.
- Disposal of DU should follow appropriate national or international recommendations.
Source: http://www.who.int/en/
BBC News reports on April 14, 2003:
US rejects Iraq depleted uranium clean-up
The US says it has no plans to remove the debris left over from depleted uranium (DU) weapons it is using in Iraq. It says no clean-up is needed, because research shows DU has no long-term effects.
A Pentagon spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel David Lapan, told BBC News Online: "Since then there've been a number of studies - by the UK's Royal Society and the World Health Organisation, for example - into the health risks of DU, or the lack of them. [...] One thing we've found in these various studies is that there are no long-term effects from DU. And given that, I don't believe we have any plans for a DU clean-up in Iraq."
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2946715.stm
So why are the U.S. and Coalition forces using depleted uranium (DU) shells in the war in Iraq, with no plan for a clean up operation ?
Please contact your Congressman and Senators about the illegal use of depleted uranium and the violation of the Geneva Convention in Iraq.
Contacting the Congress
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/index.html/
Contacting the Senate
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm/
