Human Rights

I am constantly reading about The Human Rights Act, recent media attention focusing on the High Court granting nine Afghan hijackers an indefinite right to remain in the U.K. Another recent media interest has been prisoners who are drug addicts, who are able to sue the Home Office stating it amounts to assault when drugs are withdrawn when they are incarcerated.  It is alleged to breach their Human Rights.

 

My 30 year old son Christian was a member of the Armed Forces, and last October he was killed in Iraq by an I.E.D. Following lengthy discussion with the M.O.D. about my concerns that my son had been on a patrol seeking out I.E.D.'s before the arrival of a large supply convoy which only happened every 4-5 months. He was the patrol commander, and left his fibreglass snatch vehicle to explore on foot.  It has been said this is to limit casualties as the snatch vehicles offer no protection against the powerful I.E.D's.  In effect he was looking for I.E.D.'s with no protective clothing or equipment other than his rifle which had an inbuilt torch to see in the pitch darkness. Unfortunately, I was told he had been at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Russian Roulette springs to mind, and offers little comfort to the family. 

 

I have challenged the M.O.D., who are not prepared to hold A Board of Inquiry into my sons death. they feel this practice is acceptable and no lessons can be learnt from my sons violent death.  I beg to differ, and would question why anyone should expect another human being to undertake such tasks without adequate protection.  It was not as if he had driven over the devise by accident, he was out looking for them on foot. 

 

It is no wonder the infantry battalions are finding it extremely difficult to recruit and retain if this is how they treat the infantry soldiers.  Where was my son's Human Rights on that dark night in Basra on 18th October?

 

I will continue to fight for justice.

 

Pauline Hickey