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Human Rights Watch: Trump’s pardons of convicted mercenaries ‘insult to justice’

Saturday, 26 December 2020 1:12 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 26 December 2020 9:12 AM ]

Former Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten, and Paul Slough. (Photo by AP)

Human Rights Watch says US President Donald Trump’s pardoning of four Blackwater contractors, convicted of killing at least 14 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad in 2007, is an “insult to justice” and the victims.

“This pardon is an insult to justice and an insult to the victims who waited so many years to see some measure of justice,” Sarah Holewinski, Washington director at Human Rights Watch, told Al Jazeera on Friday.

Trump on Tuesday pardoned the four guards – Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, Dustin Heard and Nicholas Slatten – who were part of an armored convoy that opened fire indiscriminately on a crowd of unarmed people in Nisour Square in Baghdad.

In 2014, Slatten, who was the first to start shooting, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, while the other three were convicted of voluntary and attempted manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years in prison each.

Holewinski said two boys below age 12 were among the victims in Nisour Square on September 16, 2007.

“When the US Justice Department prosecuted these men, we saw the rule of law at work. Now Trump’s contempt for the rule of law is on full display,” she said.

The pardons unleashed a wave of condemnation from human rights groups as well as Iraqi officials.

Trump’s decision is part of a string of pardons of allies and loyalists issued during his final weeks in office.

Trump issues series of pardons, including for 2 in Russia probe, 4 Blackwater contractors

President Trump has issued a series of pardons including for two people involved in the Russia probe and 4 Blackwater contractors.

The UN Human Rights Office on Wednesday voiced deep concern over Trump’s decision to pardon of the convicted mercenaries.

“We are deeply concerned by the recent US presidential pardons for four security guards from the private military firm Blackwater who were convicted for killing 14 Iraqi civilians,” UN human rights spokesperson Marta Hurtado said in a statement.

“These four individuals were given sentences ranging from 12 years to life imprisonment, including on charges of first-degree murder,” she said. “Pardoning them contributes to impunity and has the effect of emboldening others to commit such crimes in the future.”

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