Judges have thrown out a government appeal by deciding that the Human Rights Act can apply to British troops, even on the battlefield. The judgement the MoD appealed against said "right to life" meant it had a legal duty to supply proper equipment.
The rulings centred on a case brought by the family of Private Jason Smith who died of heatstroke while serving with the Territorial Army in Iraq in 2003. Pte Smith's mother Catherine said she was overwhelmed with the verdict and was angry at the MoD for going so far to fight the case.
However, the MoD have been given leave to appeal again, to the House of Lords.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission's group legal direct John Wadham said, "Our service personnel are sometimes required to lay down their lives for this country. In return we should afford them the same human rights protection as every other citizen."
The MoD and the Westminster government have done everything possible to stop this becoming law. The latest spin from Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth, after the judgement, was 'they were surprised and disappointed by the judgement.' I bet they were because their incompetence regarding troop equipment and their hiding of facts at inquests will now have to be addressed.
Our troops deserve nothing less.
My thanks to JessTheDog for bringing this to my attention.
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18 comments:
The desk-bound bastards! That's a bloody disgrace! I don't normally swear but I'm more than happy to do so to describe this despicable government.
Still if the torys get in they are going to throw out the human tights act..asap.and stop all this nonsense good eh!
I'm happy to record my whole-hearted agreement with you on this issue.
See? We can occasionally agree on something ... ;)
Ainsworth is a contemptible lying piece of slime.
This judgement has nothing to do with "second guessing commanders in the field".
It has everything to do with "second guessing the cost-cutting and spin mentality behind failing to equip troops properly when sending them to war."
Hoon may end up in the dock yet for his deliberate negligence in delaying equipment supply (including an "urgent operational requirement" your canine friend was still waiting upon at the war's end).
Jings Brownlie, I would have thought you'd known the military were denied their human rights when out of the UK.
I learn something every day :)
I emailed my tory MP recently about this Niko and was told the forces would be given the same rights as all of us.
Then I believed all MPs were honourable...
Jings Bill, we'll have to take it easy! We can't be seen to be agreeing or folks will think we're on the same side ;)
Jess the whole business was such an insult to our troops that it has left me speechless over the past few years.
I've done my best to campaign for change but as you know, it can be difficult for the MoD to pay attention to public opinion and in particular military families.
I sincerely hope if they do appeal that it will be treated with the contempt it deserves.
Thanks so much for bringing it to my notice early. I would have caught up eventually I expect but it's much better to post on current news considering the manner in which Gordon Brown governs.
Subrosa
The forces will have the same as us....none..... unless you are white English male and middle class
Niko most of the military are these days. They don't accept just anyone anymore, they don't have the staff to train nerds.
They will find a way to slither out of it, nothing surer. Useing 'not in the public interest' slime trail, no doubt.
... and as we're on the subject of slime, did someone mention that **** Ainsworth.
Aye, I know a bit about that fella, himself being a local Westmidden MP.
I'd better not write my description of himself on here, for fear of being dispatched into the wilderness for forty years by the moderation.
Niko,
You're talking out yer bahookie.
For all the time I've served there has always been an opportunity for anyone to have a career regardless of race, colour, creed, social background, it's only intellect that bars certain positions.
Get yer facts right.
Crazy D
Tom the moderator isn't that bad on here, at least I hope not.
Ainsworth doesn't get a good reputation from any sector of the public. Wonder why.
subrosa
You may recall I wrote a lengthy rant before about their human rights and lack of proper and equipment in Iraq. I was referring to their decision to take the appeal to the House where George Foulkes and his ilk sit.
Ah right Brownlie, yes of course I remember now. My apologies. I knew you knew if you understand what I mean but I read your comment in haste when I arrived back.
Got your message Tom. Thanks. Take care.
Great news and long over due. I dont care what job someone is in becouse under the uniform is a humanbeing and he/she should always have rights.
I know being in the army is not exactly being wraped in cotton wool but our troops should have rights.
Our troops should have rights I agree Spook, but they should have the very same rights as the rest of the people who live in UK, nothing more and nothing less.
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