Peter H Proctor wrote in message . ..
On 4 May 2004 12:54:45 -0700, (Fred the Red
Shirt) wrote:

Peter H Proctor

With the exception of local militia forces rushing to the defense of
their country, any belligerent not in uniform is a "spy" and can be
legally executed in wartime. Psychological stress is sure a lot
less than this..

Certain actions, such as torture and summary execution are crimes
without regard to the choice of victim.

Arguable. But what if "psychological stress" can save innocent
lives ?

No decent person denies this.

Say (e.g) you could have prevented 9/11 by using "psychological
methods" . I know what I woudl have done....

Since it's a hypothetical, more on that later if I find the time.


Summary execution of suspected spies has been outlawed since at
^^^^^^^
least the 1907 Hague Conventions, which you can find online.

The US and the UK were executing "spies" in WW2. Don't recall any
recent cases, but as far as I know, the provision is still there.
BTW, early conventions only appled to "civilized combatants", i.e,
Europeans and maybe the Japanese. "Savage tribes" were free game.


Evidently you are unclear on the concept of summary execution.
'Summary execution' is execution without appropriate prior legal
process. Again, you can find the relevent prohibition in the
1907 Hague conventions online, why didn't you look?

Execution of spies, sabotuers, POWs and civilians are all allowed
under the Geneva conventions. But only after conviction by a
competent court or tribunal. That last is the part you were
neglected to consider. None of the detainees at Guantanamo
have been tried at all, therefore there is no basis within the
context of the 1949 Conventions to deny them POW status.

--

FF