Amnesty calls for inquiry into US helicopter killings in Iraq
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, April 8, IRNA -- Amnesty International has called for an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into controversial US helicopter killings in Iraq in 2007 after a classified military video was circulated on the internet.
Up to a dozen people, including a journalist and a driver, were killed by helicopter gunfire in Baghdad during the 39 minute video released on Monday by Wikileaks, which also broadcasts the conversation among the US crew opening fire on a group of men
“This highly disturbing video appears to show that after the initial attack, US troops opened fire on people seeking to assist a wounded man, injuring two children, and killing several more people” said Amnesty’s Middle East programme director Malcolm Smart.
“The US authorities must disclose any further information or footage that will shed light on this and they must conduct a proper investigation to determine whether US forces adhered to the rules of international humanitarian law and took necessary precautions to spare civilians,” Smart said.
The London-based human rights organisation said it was calling
calling for the incidents depicted in the video to be independently investigated and for reparation, including compensation, to be made available to victims of violations of international humanitarian law.
A US military investigation into the attack previously concluded that correct rules of engagement were followed, even though those killed and injured included civilians.
Wikileaks said the men killed included Reuters photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen, aged 22, and his assistant and driver Saeed Chmagh, aged 40.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 1043719
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