Medic up for court martial

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kilcoo316
kilcoo316
21
Joined: 09 Mar 2005, 16:45
Location: Kilcoo, Ireland

Medic up for court martial

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4897960.stm
An RAF doctor who refused to go to Iraq did not have the "responsibility" to judge the legality of orders given to him, a court martial has been told.

Flt Lt Malcolm Kendall-Smith, 37, who was based at RAF Kinloss in Scotland, has already served twice in Iraq but last year defied an order to return.

He claimed his actions were justified as he saw UK involvement as illegal.

The prosecution said such an argument could not be considered a defence to his refusal to comply with commands.

Very hypocritical considering the stance taken over most soliders having a great moral obligation to themselves than to the state. For example the WWII war crimes tribunal...

:evil:

manchild
manchild
12
Joined: 03 Jun 2005, 10:54

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I'm pacifist but legally there is a great difference between refusal made by professional soldiers and those soldiers that are drafted than forced to serve in the army and go to war despite their own will. All of this considering mentioned WWII because during WWII British law forced all men to serve while nowadays Britain has professional army.

I admire the decision made by that RAF doctor but legally he did voluntary sign the contract to be part of the army so his moral decision is more difficult to defend on court than if it was done by some drafted soldier. However, I support right of people to become conscientious objectors at any stage of their life even if it happens while they serve professionally in the army.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscientious_objector

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Tom
0
Joined: 13 Jan 2006, 00:24
Location: Bicester

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I can see both sides, but I know I'd rather go to prison in the end.
Murphy's 9th Law of Technology:
Tell a man there are 300 million stars in the universe and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he'll have to touch to be sure.