Would it fair to say that those recently released 15 British sailors " were NOT treated fairly when captured?"

Question

Were those captured 15 British sailors treated well or not ? By the looks of it according to one of them (on the Internet ) they were blindfolded, stripped and pushed against a wall probably at gunpoint - forced to admit they were in Iranian waters and not what they claim!. Should Iran be further punished because of this act or is this all a propaganda ruse by the British navy to get Iran punished?

Answer 1

If you were to go strictly by the Geneva Conventions and rules of war, then the Iranians did mistreat the prisoners by showing them in pictures and video while they were a prisoner. As far as being blind folded, there is nothing that says you cannot blind fold a prisoner as long as it is not for a lenghty period of time, or strip a prisoner to search them for weapons or contraband. It can legally be done repeatedly, as long as it is not done to humilate or torture the prisoner.

If you are comparing the recent treatment of Britain and their Ally, the United States in their treatment of prisoners, then the Iranians should be commended for their humane treatment.

Every prisoner that the United States has brought before their Military tribunals have described torture and abuse at the hands of their captors.

David Hicks, grew his hair long to avoid the glaring lights in a windowless cell so he could sleep. The United States also made him agree not to talk to the media for one year about his torture, hoping people would forget about it. The British government encouraged their sailors to sell their story and make money. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9237377)

Prisoners in Abu Ghrib were stripped and forced to masturbate in groups in the presence of the guards for humilation and intimidation.

There was a Canadian citizen abducted by the CIA in New York Airport and sent to Egypt to be tortured. he did nothing wrong. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/04/60minutes/main678155.shtml)

With secret prisons, renditions, and additional claims of torture from prisoners that have been released from United States custody, and an Attorney General and president who refer to the Geneva Convention as "an obsolete document" that they do not need to follow, the British sailors should feel lucky that the Iranian government has the decency and respect for international treaties that they did not face worse conditions. (http://lawofwar.org/Torture_Memos_analysis.htm)

No, I do not think the Iranians should be further punished, I believe the United States should be prosecuted for their illegal torture and Guantanamo Bay prison should be closed.

Answer 2

I'm going to go with, no. They weren't treated well. Even if they HAD been in Iranian waters, things shouldn't have gone down the way they did. I really doubt that this was any sort of propaganda being used by the British. And even if it was, Iran isn't exactly innocent of spreading propaganda. Iran isn't innocent on very many levels. I think they're more of a threat then most people give them credit for. Not sure what I believe at this point, but just to put it out there: Doesn't this scenario sound familiar? Last summer maybe. Involving Israel and Hezbollah. Soldiers captured, aren't released. That was 'resolved' quite differently than this situation. But, if I'm not mistaken, Hezbollah is backed by Iran. So the whole incident these past few weeks isn't really a new idea/situation.
As far as punishment goes, the only thing at this point is possible sanctions. If there was to be any more than that, it would have already happened. I could be wrong on that, as I'm not up to date on all of the international laws and the like. But that's what I think. I don't think anyone would punishment them any more than with sanctions anyway. There's too much tension between them and the West. I think everyone is walking on eggshells at this point...

Answer 3

The British sailors obviously were badly treated. I guess the nice clothes and gift bags, were a placating gesture on the part of the Iranians. I don't suppose Iran will be directly punished for this, but it certainly is not going to make the West more favorable toward them.
If any British or US military had done what the Iranian Revolutionary Guard did, they would have been court marshaled. The fact that the ringleader received a medal from the Iranian leader, shows the difference between our systems.

Answer 4

There alot of reasons why someone would go on video tape and broadcast something they may not believe in. Maybe they do?
But history has pretty much proven that in a time of war or "not really" war as with Iran they are not sitting at the Ritz holding tea parties. In my opinion they had strong reasons to be in the water they were in. I have read their air support left them too quick and in a matter of 3 minutes they were taken.
Tony Blair, Britain's Prime Minister, they have a Queen but she is just a figurehead, he wanted to pull out troops and or agree with his Parliament to get out. It makes no sense.
It is not without considering that Iran has a President who likes to be on TV. I mean he is volatile and that is a serious concern.
"Crazy" leaders seem to provoke media attention. Is it a religious belief? He has alot of people to answer to this one in Iran. His country is divided into sections it is not united. They are militant meaning they fight within. They also have a majority of folks under 30. Amazing scientists and a wealth of a society they keep tourists away from. Look at your maps, Iran is in between Iraq & ?
In the Persian Gulf Iran has been getting funds to further their oil producing capacity. They have opened Nuclear Power Supply Plants. Their main oil$$ is paid in Euro by the Chinese. Russia is in there. US sanctions prevented oil companies from going into that region.
It is really hard to read the foreign papers because they select their news too. But, if you do it as if you were writing a college paper that might help. It really is that important that you find out what's up. People around the world email every day. US news I am just really sick of. But I include them and do the same thing.
Kudos for reading up on current news. Not pretty is it.
*now is where the diplomacy of this current President should stand fast IF allowed... Ever heard "Too many Chief's not enough Indians?

Answer 5

Before any Brits or US-Americans complain about their treatment I would like them to be brought to Guantanamo or another one of the CIA's concentration camps and treated like the prisoners there, not for a fortnight, but for years. I just LOVE this officer moaning about "psychological pressure"!
By now, even the most unpolitical person has to be aware of the fact that there are the same games being played now with Iran as preceded the war on Iraq.

Answer 6

Iran needs a nice air raid.
How many more times is the world going to sit back and allow Iran to take hostages to make a political statement and get their way? They need to be stopped.

Answer 7

I even have been in Angels Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Petco Park and in spite of the call is of that sauna in Miami in pink Sox equipment. absolutely everyone treats you with admire/ignores you, different than the american followers. there is in basic terms too lots heritage there. It makes it relaxing. As on your adventure, i could desire to on no account comprehend why a Yankee fan could take place at Fenway for a pink Sox--Tigers game in Yankee equipment. positioned on Tiger equipment for Heaven's sake. of direction you would be the main loathed man or woman in the park. certainly donning a Yankee hat in the city of Boston isn't the brightest of strikes as a customary rely.

Answer 8

Yes they should but I was VERY disappointed in the British sailors.

They were waving and drinking champaigne?!

What were they thinking? The entire country looks impotent........The UK should be ashamed!

I'd rather do 7 years than kiss the Islamic ***!

Answer 9

It is completely fair. They were doing what the Iranians told them to do, "act natural", "tell them you are being treated well"

Answer 10

They were taken care of in planet of apes.
Just fooling them around with "Fear is the key" and no harm done to them in planet of apes.
Children are really naughty fooling around with their brothers and sister out there in planet of apes.
Bu they still know how to outsmart their brothers out there in planet of apes.
It was just blunders and slip-ups with human errors in getting all the dirty old getting kick on the butts in planet of apes.
Luke 8.17