War on Terror

War on Terror and Human Rights

Motives for Intervention Attack on Twin Towers Suspected WMDs in Iraq Claimed that Saddam Hussein was a threat to the 'west' Spread of so-called Islamic State across Iraq and Syria Slaughter innocent civilians Use modern communications e.g. social media websites to recruit younger Muslims Some military experts say that IS can only be defeated by direct engagement on the ground and not just air strikes Pursued strategy of annihilating minority communities inc. Kurds, Assyrians, Shabaks, Turkmens and Yazidis Took control of parts of Iraq and Syria and declared a 'caliphate' Took advantage of power vacuum in Iraq and Syrian civil war Political instability in the area Human rights abuses Oil  Type of Intervention Military Invasion Troops on the ground Afghanistan Iraq Air strikes/bombings Syria Iraq Afghanistan What Was Done Iraq War US forces advanced into Baghdad Airstrikes of Baghdad Capture of Saddam Hussein in Dec 2003 Syria/IS Airstrikes of potential IS strongholds Airstrikes of suggested chemical weapons factories Positives Saddam Hussein removed from power and eventually executed  Negatives Iraq Created power vacuum Allowed so-called Islamic State to take control quickly and easily Increased anti-western feelings in the area No WMDs found Waste of money and resources ~3,750 non-combatants (civilians) killed Syria No evidence for Syrian government using chemical weapons Waste of money/resources Destroying civilian property e.g. hospitals, housing Killing of innocents

Torture and Rendition

Torture UN Convention against Torture (1987) Prohibits physical or mental duress to be used as a means of extracting information Many signatories to the convention still use torture and CID acts (Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading) USA Imprisonment of suspects at Guantanamo Bay without trial Rendition Sending a foreign criminal or terrorist suspect covertly to be interrogated in a country where there is less concern about the inhumane treatment of prisoners Countries do this to avoid being accused of directly contravening the UN Convention against Torture