Amnesty International Gets It Right. Finally

Amnesty International released a report called "In Cold Blood: Abuses by Armed Groups". In regards to the conflict in Iraq, it stated that there was a "failure to abide by even the most basic standards of humanitarian law." Geesh - here we go again. It wasn't enough of an embarrassment to Amnesty when they compared Guantanamo to the gulags, now this. Now they have to pile on to that & attack the U.S. again.

But whoa, guess what? They were talking about the so-called "insurgents" this time! "There is no honor nor heroism in blowing up people going to pray or murdering a terrified hostage. Those carrying out such acts are criminals, nothing less, whose actions undermine any claim they may have to be pursuing a legitimate cause." Amnesty International said insurgents were guilty of direct attacks intended to cause the greatest possible loss of civilian life, indiscriminate attacks resulting in the deaths of civilians, targeting humanitarian organizations, abductions and killing captured and defenseless police and military personnel. "We urge armed groups to immediately cease all attacks against civilians and all other abuses," Amnesty International said. "Armed groups, like other parties to the conflict in Iraq, are required to comply strictly with international law in all their acts and remain accountable for their actions."

Maybe the people at Amnesty have finally come to their senses. But where were they last year or the year before in their condemnations of the "insurgents". Well, better late than never. Of course, Amnesty is not quite the rehabilitated organization we would like to think it is. In a caveat, they took a swipe at the U.S. It said U.S.-led forces had used excessive force in response to demonstrations and gatherings, resulting in civilian deaths, and had tortured and abused detainees. This is not quite on a par with beheadings & car bombings, but for Amnesty International its a start.