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  • Essay / Torture at Abu Ghraib - 2226

    In 2004, accusations of abuse, torture, rape and even homicide against prisoners held in the Abu Ghraib camp in Iraq were brought to the 'attention. The media got involved and soon photos of American soldiers at Abu Ghraib were leaked and broadcast on news channels and the Internet, proving the accusations true. Soldiers seen mistreating prisoners in the photos were charged with mistreatment, aggravated assault and battery, and those who committed the most torture were sentenced to prison. This situation is one of many scandals that have occurred in prisoner of war camps, showing a lack of respect and disobedience. In recent years, war camp prisoners and torture techniques have become less humane and more brutal, making it clear that the Geneva Conventions need to be made clearer and enforced by camps. The Geneva Conventions were created by a Swiss, Henry Dunant, who was shocked by the number of wounded soldiers left alone and helpless after the Battle of Solferina in 1859. This observation inspired him to create organizations of people trained to caring for soldiers and injured people in peacetime in wartime. A few years later, in 1863, Dunant organized an international conference to realize his dream of seeing each country have a relief organization for soldiers injured during the war. In 1864, a diplomatic conference was held at which governments could summon representatives. Twelve European nations eventually had their representative sign a treaty, the Geneva Convention, obligating their nation to care for all sick and injured service members in their country during the war, regardless of their nationality. Over time, three other conventions were held regarding the armed forces on land and sea, middle of paper...... Haisty, Eds. Boston: Bedford, 2006. 543-546. Print.Barry, John and Hossenball, Mark and Deghanpisheh, Babak. “Abu Ghraib and beyond.” Elements of argument. Rottenberg, Anette T. and Winchill, Donna Haisty, eds. Boston: Bedford, 2006. 546-551. Print.Ehrenreich, Barbara. “What Abu Ghraib taught me.” Elements of argument. Rottenberg, Anette T. and Winchill, Donna Haisty, eds. Boston: Bedford, 2006. 552-554. Print.Elliot, H. Wayne. “Prisoner of War Camps.” War Crimes Project. NDWeb. January 28, 2011. “Geneva Convention: introduction.” Learning peace A project of union for a commitment to peace. Union PeacePledge. NDWeb. February 4, 2011.doc_geneva_con.html>