Another reason England is dead

[bayern]

This is a few days old but it is good reading

From The Sunday Times

April 13, 2008


Pirates can claim UK asylum




Marie Woolf, Whitehall Editor



THE Royal Navy, once the scourge of brigands on the high seas, has been told by the Foreign Office not to detain pirates because doing so may breach their human rights. Warships patrolling pirate-infested waters, such as those off Somalia, have been warned that there is also a risk that captured pirates could claim asylum in Britain.

The Foreign Office has advised that pirates sent back to Somalia could have their human rights breached because, under Islamic law, they face beheading for murder or having a hand chopped off for theft.

In 2005 there were almost 40 attacks by pirates and 16 vessels were hijacked and held for ransom. Employing high-tech weaponry, they kill, steal and hold ships’ crews to ransom. This year alone pirates killed three people near the Philippines.

Britain is part of a coalition force that patrols piracy stricken areas and the guidance has troubled navy officers who believe they should have more freedom to intervene.

The guidance was sharply criticised by Julian Brazier MP, the Conservative shipping spokesman, who said: “These people commit horrendous offences. The solution is not to turn a blind eye but to turn them over to the local authorities. The convention on human rights quite rightly doesn’t cover the high seas. It’s a pathetic indictment of what our legal system has come to.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “There are issues about human rights and what might happen in these circumstances. The main thing is to ensure any incident is resolved peacefully.”

The guidance is the latest blow to the robust image of the navy. Last year 15 of its sailors were taken prisoner by the Iranians and publicly humiliated.

In the 19th century, British warships largely eradicated piracy when they policed the oceans. The death penalty for piracy on the high seas remained on the statute books until 1998. Modern piracy ranges from maritime mugging to stealing from merchant ships with the crew held at gunpoint.

[MacLean]

I'm not sure I would be pointing fingers at Britain when our own President has indicated he wants a peaceful resolution wherever possible.

We've all gone daft.

[SPD]

What a bunch of pansies our nations have become.

I think beheadings and cutting off arms are a step in the right direction. Along with pouring all lawyers into active volcanos.

[Chomp]

What a bunch of pansies our nations have become.

I think beheadings and cutting off arms are a step in the right direction. Along with pouring all lawyers into active volcanos.

Dude, what did a volcano ever do to you?

[Captain America]

Dude, what did a volcano ever do to you?

Right , that has got to be some type of EPA violation.

[Motorwaycop]

The "Welcome" mat is out for all criminals, a few pirates won't make any difference, don't think they'll get much change here though, unless you count the local canal!