Did the US violate the Geneva Convention in Vietnam?

Did the US violate the Geneva Convention in Vietnam?

Tribunal members unanimously found the United States “guilty on all charges, including genocide, the use of forbidden weapons, maltreatment and killing of prisoners, violence and forceful movement of prisoners” in Vietnam and its neighbors Laos and Cambodia.

How did the Vietnam War violate human rights?

The most significant human rights issues included: arbitrary and unlawful deprivation of life; torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; arbitrary arrest and detention of persons peacefully expressing dissent; systemic abuses in the legal system, including denial of access to an attorney, visits from family.

Did Agent Orange violate Geneva Convention?

The lawsuit alleged that the United States conducted chemical warfare against the Vietnamese and violated the 1925 Geneva Convention banning biological and toxin weapons warfare. Up to three million Vietnamese have suffered health-related problems from exposure to Agent Orange, according to the Vietnam Red Cross.

Are herbicides banned in war?

Herbicidal warfare has been forbidden by the Environmental Modification Convention since 1978, which bans “any technique for changing the composition or structure of the Earth’s biota”.

Was the Vietnam war illegal?

Under U.S. law The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed in 1964, authorized U.S. President Lyndon Johnson to use military force in Southeast Asia. No formal declaration of war was ever made, which was, according to many, a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Did the US bomb civilians in Vietnam?

Beginning on December 18, American B-52s and fighter-bombers dropped over 20,000 tons of bombs on the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong. The United States lost 15 of its giant B-52s and 11 other aircraft during the attacks. North Vietnam claimed that over 1,600 civilians were killed.

What human rights do Vietnam have?

Every citizen has the right to participate in the management of the State and the society, the freedoms of religion and belief, the right to free movement and residence in the territory of Viet Nam, the right to complaints and petitions, the right to employment, education and healthcare etc.

Is there a war in Vietnam right now?

The Vietnam War is still going on in Vietnam While nearly 60,000 Americans lost their lives in the war, more than 3.3 million Vietnamese (both North and South including civilians) died.

What did Agent Orange smell like?

“Going into Agent Orange was like it had a musty smell to it. It was a reddish-brown-colored fog that would be in the air,” said Dudich, who served much of his first tour with troops of the Republic of Vietnam.

What are the 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange?

Here are the 14 health conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure as of 2020:

• Chronic B-Cell Leukemia.
• Hodgkin’s disease.
• Multiple Myeloma.
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• Prostate cancer.
• Respiratory Cancers.
• Soft tissue sarcomas.
• Ischemic heart disease.

Why were chemical weapons used in the Vietnam War?

During the Vietnam War (1962–1975), both the US and the Republic of Vietnam militaries used several herbicides for tactical purposes, specifically to defoliate areas to reduce cover for enemy forces, to improve visibility on the perimeters of military installations, and for a short time to kill enemy crops.

Did the US use chemical weapons in Vietnam?

During the Vietnam War, the U.S military engaged in an aggressive program of chemical warfare codenamed Operation Ranch Hand. In all, American forces used more than 20 million gallons of herbicides in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia during the years of Operation Ranch Hand.

Is the Vietnam War a violation of international law?

In the following, we will see a case of violation of international humanitarian law during one of the most significant wars: Vietnam war. The Vietnam War which began in November 1955, was one of the most powerful conflicts recorded in modern history.

What happens if a state violates the IHL?

A State responsible for IHL violations must make full reparation for the loss or injury it has caused. Serious violations of IHL are war crimes. Individuals responsible for these crimes can be investigated and prosecuted.

When does IHL do not apply to armed conflict?

When the situation of violence does not amount to an armed conflict, IHL does not apply to the armed group but the individual members of the organization remain accountable under applicable national law. Why can’t I imprison or kill the family of a terrorist after s/he has attacked my community?

What was the ICRC role in the Vietnam War?

The ICRC has been involved in the process of developing the law in this field. In general terms, international humanitarian law (IHL) prohibits means (certain types of weapons) and methods that cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering.