UN condemns Trump's pardon of contractors involved in killing of Iraqis
A UN Human Rights Office expert said that the pardon of the men involved in the 2007 Nisour Square massacre undermines the obligation of states to hold war criminals accountable.
The United Nations has criticized US President Donald Trump’s pardon of American former military contractors who were convicted of killing Iraqis.
One UN expert on the use of mercenaries said that the pardon could pave the way for future war crimes.
“Pardons, amnesties or any other forms of exculpation for war crimes open doors to future abuses when States contract private military and security companies for inherent state functions,” said Jelena Aparac in a UN Human Rights Office release on Wednesday.
The controversy stems from the shooting of Iraqi civilians in Baghdad’s Nisour Square in 2007 at the height of the Iraq War. The incident occurred when guards working for the private military company then known as Blackwater opened fire while escorting US diplomats, killing 17 people.
