House gives go-ahead to sue Iraq over torture
By JIM ABRAMS – 1 hour ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former POWs and civilians who were tortured or held hostage during the 1991 Gulf War could pursue lawsuits against Iraq under legislation the House has approved.
The White House, saying the bill would threaten economic and political progress in Iraq, threatened to veto the measure if it reaches the president's desk. It still has to clear the Senate.
The legislation, passed by voice vote late Monday, could affect some 17 prisoners of war — all but one pilots of aircraft downed over Iraq or Kuwait — and more than 200 American civilians working in Iraq and Kuwait and held as "human shields" after then-President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, would take away the president's authority to exempt Iraq from lawsuits brought by Americans tortured by state sponsors of terrorism. The president could still grant immunity if he certifies that Iraq has adequately settled, or is making good-faith efforts to settle, claims against it from pending court cases.
Bush in December 2007 vetoed a defense policy bill because it contained a similar provision. He later signed the bill after reaching an agreement with Congress granting him waiver authority, which he exercised in January 2008.
click post title for more
Showing posts with label human shield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human shield. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
6 Tours in Northern Ireland and 2 in Bosnia Vet and family suffer
Ex-soldier assaulted wife
Feb 7 2008 by Andrew Pugh, Neath Guardian
A FORMER soldier used as a human shield after being taken hostage by Bosnian troops has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife and police.
It is the second time that 41-year-old David Storey has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife in the last five months.
He is also being investigated over allegations he assaulted his daughter last year.
His wife, Helen, of Moorland Road, has now started divorce proceedings.
In a statement read to the court she said: “The last few years have been hell for me and my daughter. I just want a quiet life.”
Storey, now residing at his brother’s home in Port Talbot, received two commendations for bravery during his 23 years of Army service.
He has served six tours in Northern Ireland and two in Bosnia.
The court heard that he began displaying classic symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and was diagnosed with the illness toward the end of last year.
In August, Storey pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife at their home, leaving her with cuts and bruises around one eye.
In the latest incident at 1.20pm on January 29, police were called to Moorland Road.
They arrived to find Ms Storey standing in the street outside her home.
The couple were arguing when she opened the door and demanded he leave – but he instead threw her out and locked the door.
After they arrived police could hear banging from inside the house and found Storey had barricaded himself in.
They eventually got inside the house and a struggle broke out.
Storey wrestled one of the officers to the ground and threw a punch which didn’t connect.
At this point neighbours had began gathering outside before he was eventually arrested.
Stephen Harrett, defending, said, : “If you look at the defendant’s record you can see has not committed an offence until 2007.
“Quite clearly there’s a difficulty causing him to offend”.
Mr Harrett went on to describe how Storey was diagnoed with post traumatic stress disorder towards the end of last year.
Magistrates adjourned the case until February to allow an all-options report to be prepared.
click post title for link
Feb 7 2008 by Andrew Pugh, Neath Guardian
A FORMER soldier used as a human shield after being taken hostage by Bosnian troops has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife and police.
It is the second time that 41-year-old David Storey has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife in the last five months.
He is also being investigated over allegations he assaulted his daughter last year.
His wife, Helen, of Moorland Road, has now started divorce proceedings.
In a statement read to the court she said: “The last few years have been hell for me and my daughter. I just want a quiet life.”
Storey, now residing at his brother’s home in Port Talbot, received two commendations for bravery during his 23 years of Army service.
He has served six tours in Northern Ireland and two in Bosnia.
The court heard that he began displaying classic symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and was diagnosed with the illness toward the end of last year.
In August, Storey pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife at their home, leaving her with cuts and bruises around one eye.
In the latest incident at 1.20pm on January 29, police were called to Moorland Road.
They arrived to find Ms Storey standing in the street outside her home.
The couple were arguing when she opened the door and demanded he leave – but he instead threw her out and locked the door.
After they arrived police could hear banging from inside the house and found Storey had barricaded himself in.
They eventually got inside the house and a struggle broke out.
Storey wrestled one of the officers to the ground and threw a punch which didn’t connect.
At this point neighbours had began gathering outside before he was eventually arrested.
Stephen Harrett, defending, said, : “If you look at the defendant’s record you can see has not committed an offence until 2007.
“Quite clearly there’s a difficulty causing him to offend”.
Mr Harrett went on to describe how Storey was diagnoed with post traumatic stress disorder towards the end of last year.
Magistrates adjourned the case until February to allow an all-options report to be prepared.
click post title for link
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)