At issue in a current legal dispute between the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the United States Department of Defense (DoD) is the faithful application of the Geneva Conventions. The ACLU has filed several requests under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act requesting the release of records relating to the abuse of individuals detained by the U.S. overseas. The U.S. Government has duly released some of the requested documents, but is currently opposing a specific request relating to photographs and videotapes relating to the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, arguing that their relase would violate provisions of the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions protecting the dignity of detainees.

Professor Sir Adam Roberts

Can a military occupation – and all the responsibilities of an occupying power as laid down in the laws of war – end at a single moment in time, and without the actual departure of the foreign military forces involved? This is the core question posed by the planned twin events of 28 June 2004 in Iraq: (1) the assumption of full authority by the sovereign Interim Government of Iraq, and (2) the proclaimed end of the US-led occupation of Iraq that had begun during the war of March-April 2003.