UN rights experts say Trump Blackwater pardons violated US obligations under the Geneva Conventions News
995645 / Pixabay
UN rights experts say Trump Blackwater pardons violated US obligations under the Geneva Conventions

UN rights experts attached to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Wednesday condemned President Trump’s December 22 pardoning of four former Blackwater contractors, asserting that the pardons violated international law. The Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries, Jelena Aparac, called the pardons an “affront to justice to the victims of the Nisour Square massacre and their families.” On September 16, 2007, Blackwater contractors in Nisour Square in Baghdad shot 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians dead and wounded at least 17 others in the wake of a car bomb explosion. The contractors were subsequently tried and variously convicted in US federal courts of murder, manslaughter and firearms offenses.

The Working Group statement noted that the United States is obliged under the Geneva Conventions to hold those convicted of war crimes accountable for their actions, and that President Trump’s pardons directly violate and contradict these obligations: “Ensuring accountability for such crimes is fundamental to humanity and to the community of nations . . . Pardons, amnesties, or any other forms of exculpation for war crimes open doors to future abuses when States contract private military and security companies for inherent state functions.”

The UN reaction is in stark contrast to White House remarks in the Press Secretary’s statement regarding clemency for the former Blackwater contractors, Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, and Dustin Heard, highlighting their service as veterans of the United States military. In that, Kayleigh McEnany called the Nisour Square incident “unfortunate” and questioned the veracity of the lead Iraqi investigator’s testimony.

Did you know that about 30 percent of charitable giving happens in December?
It’s an important month for nonprofits like JURIST that rely on donor support. Your gift of $50, $100, $200, or $500 will help JURIST to keep its legal news and commentary free and accessible to a worldwide public.

Thanks for your support!

DONATE NOW

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.