If a country doesnt go by the Geneva Convention, do we still have to against them?

Kasey C

Since we *did* sign the Geneva convention, we have to abide by by them (we here means the US of A)

EDIT: it's a common misconception that the US did NOT sign the Geneva convention. US did sign it, but we did not "ratify" it.

"However, the United States, Iran and Pakistan signed it on 12 December 1977 with the intention of ratifying it (Geneva Convention Protocol I)."
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protocol_I

Buddy R

We abide by the Geneva Convention If you read the agreement you will see it only applies to people who wear the uniforms of their country, and not to terrorsits. Terrorists are not in uniform and not part of a country's recognized armed forces.

Kaz

The Geneva Convention was signed by the US so we would have to abide by them. That doesn't mean there aren't loop holes which the military can use to get around "treatment" of enemy combatants. As in a prior post, terrorists are not uniformed combatants so they do not fall under the Geneva Convention.

ArmyChemo

Yes. Just like any rule you are bound to it regardless of what anyone else does.

Doing things that violate the Geneva and Hague conventions is counterproductive to our efforts.

oracle

Theoretically, every country that signed the Geneva Convention has to abide by the same rules of war.

However, in the reality of human affairs, many countries that signed have repeatedly violated the rules in many different ways.

In some of the more serious violations, the U.S. has opposed a certain country occasionally, usually in front of the United Nations. But, there have been many other cases in which the U.S., and our allies, have done nothing and just ignored it.

Many other countries, including some of our allies, feel that the U.S. itself has violated the rules of the Convention by imprisoning many men for many years in Guantanamo, Cuba without giving them any kind of a trial.

Steven H

Yes, we must abide by the Geneva Convention no matter what country we are at odds with. Like Buddy mentioned, it does not pertain to individuals that are not in uniform. However, some countries are therefore filing criminal charges against U.S. officials for violating human rights of others for the treatment of those held in the prisons. It is really becoming a sticky situation. I think Spain is preparing criminal charges on some right now. As a NATO ally, it might cause some strain within NATO.

DietrichVonQuint

We have signed it, therefore we pledged to abide by the Convention. It does not matter what "they" do, it is our honor that is at stake.

Reason Enforcer

The Geneva Convention applies to uniformed combatants of countries that have signed (and abide by it). Since I am not a uniformed combatant (even though I'm a U.S. citizen) I'm not protected by it.

Mark B

The US DID NOT SIGN the Geneva Convention. However, the US and most other countries have decided to abide by it. US policy is not contingent on what other countries do.

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