Principle 1: Resort to armed force is governed by the Charter of the United Nations and

other international law.

Implicit message: The U.S. invasion of Iraq, without United Nations Security Council
approval and absent an imminent threat to our security, violated the UN Charter and
international law.
Principle 2: Armed conflict and occupation are governed by the Geneva Conventions.
Implicit message: Where the war against terror involves armed conflict or military
occupation as in Afghanistan and Iraq, Administration claims that the Geneva
Conventions do not apply are bogus.
Principle 3: Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of prisoners are
prohibited by international law, without exception.
Implicit message: The U.S. violates international law by using techniques like water
boarding (simulated drowning) and dogs menacing naked prisoners.
Principle 4: Prolonged, secret, incommunicado detention of prisoners is prohibited by
international law.
Implicit message: CIA ghost prisons holding ghost prisoners, who are kept in
secret locations unknown even to the Red Cross, and with no access to lawyers, family
or the outside world, violate international law.
Principle 5: International law standards for treatment of prisoners apply to all branches
of governments, to their agents, and to combatants.
Implicit message: Neither the CIA nor private contractors are exempt from rules
against torture and mistreatment. Nor, for that matter, are Al Qaeda and other
terrorist groups who kidnap and behead people in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Principle 6: In some circumstances, both military and civilian commanders are
personally responsible for acts of their subordinates.
Implicit message: There ought to be a serious investigation of whether Secretary of
Defense Donald Rumsfeld and other senior officials have command responsibility for
torture and mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, and elsewhere.
Principle 7: All states should maintain security and liberty in a manner consistent with
their international law obligations.
Implicit message: In its zeal to safeguard American security and liberty, the
Administration tramples on fundamental rules of international law.