Proceeding contribution from Harry Cohen (Labour) in the House of Commons on Monday, 22 May 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill on Armed Forces Bill.
Armed Forces Bill
I want to pick up the points that my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary made in the context of legality and illegality and about who constitutes the enemy, which is defined in clause 367. The Under-Secretary said that the enemy was anyone who fires at us and that desertion applies only if someone leaves a conflict. However, many thousands of people, including women and children, are killed in air raids. They would not be classified as enemies under the Bill or the Under-Secretary’s classification of anyone who fires at us. If a soldier discovers illegality—although it may be termed collateral damage—has not he a right to say that he wants to opt out of that, claim a conscientious objection and not be punished with life imprisonment?
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 446 c1235
- Session
- 2005-06
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Commons chamber
- Subjects
- Disciplinary proceedings Children Discipline Crime Armed forces Age Deployment Aircraft Courts martial Desertion Certification Custodial treatment Defence equipment Nuisance Prosecutions Military police Officers Sentencing
- Legislation
- Armed Forces Bill 2005-06
- Link
- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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