Sunday Times, October 16:
"AN RAF officer could be jailed for refusing to serve in Iraq because he believes that the war there was illegal.
"Flight-Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith is to be court-martialled for “refusing to obey a lawful command” after he told his commanding officer that he would not go to Basra.
"He is the first British officer to face criminal charges for challenging the legality of war."
Kendall-Smith is an intriguing person. He is not a "conscientious objector", says his lawyer. "He is arguing that the war is manifestly unlawful."
He was born in Australia, brought up in New Zealand and has dual British-New Zealand citizenship.
The case may inspire other soldiers to follow suit. Not unlike Breaking the Silence in Israel - soldiers who finally acknowledged their actions in the occupied territories were routinely illegal and immoral - Kendall-Smith's actions are brave and principled.
"AN RAF officer could be jailed for refusing to serve in Iraq because he believes that the war there was illegal.
"Flight-Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith is to be court-martialled for “refusing to obey a lawful command” after he told his commanding officer that he would not go to Basra.
"He is the first British officer to face criminal charges for challenging the legality of war."
Kendall-Smith is an intriguing person. He is not a "conscientious objector", says his lawyer. "He is arguing that the war is manifestly unlawful."
He was born in Australia, brought up in New Zealand and has dual British-New Zealand citizenship.
The case may inspire other soldiers to follow suit. Not unlike Breaking the Silence in Israel - soldiers who finally acknowledged their actions in the occupied territories were routinely illegal and immoral - Kendall-Smith's actions are brave and principled.
5 Comments:
Not off the top of my head, but I'm sure Google can help. Indeed, there are numerous testimonies and pics from Israeli soldiers available proving the immorality of their behaviour.
Yes the occupation of Iraq is wrong. But Kendall-Smith is following his principles so he should be prepared to face the penalties.
Has he refused his pay in the past?
Unlike most Israeli's he wasn't drafted.
Bravo to Flight-Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith. Standing for Justice and Truth will cost this brave man a lot I fear.
Peace. your fellow Human
Shab's guide to the world, bigotry part one. Must be so confronting taking on 'evil' like that?
Joker...
Bravo, Shabadoo. When is the first performance?
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