London
International law hampers countries in their efforts to prevent terrorism, British Defense Secretary John Reid said this week. Marking a shift in British policy, Reid called for a re-evaluation of the Geneva Conventions, which guarantee rights to prisoners of war. “We now have to cope with a deliberate regression toward barbaric terrorism by our opponents,” he said. “The legal constraints upon us have to be set against an enemy that adheres to no constraints whatsoever.” Human-rights groups were outraged. “The basic principles of not torturing people or keeping them in detention indefinitely should not be changed,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
What are the options for covering long-term care?The explainer Nursing homes are expensive, but there are smart ways to start saving
-
Slain journalists are getting a one-of-a-kind memorialIn the Spotlight The memorial will be located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
-
Crossword: September 18, 2024The Week's daily crossword
