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£2 Million compensation for Iraqi teenager
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Claims that British soldiers are under valued
The recent ruling from the High Court, awarding an Iraqi teenager a £2million compensation for being accidentally shot by a British soldier has sparked controversy and Briton’s show their anger claiming the ruling is an injustice towards British forces.
The political opposition now fears that more and similar proceedings will be brought to British courts and adding to the cost of the Iraq war.
Critiques has also been raised in relation to that the Iraqi’s compensation claim being considerably higher than what any British solider are able to receive as they are binned by their contract which state they can only receive a maximum £285000 lump sum payment if injured, together with a lifetime income.
One of the reactions towards the ruling, published by Rob Baker on the Daily Mail website says:“How much will our service persons be worth if killed or injured by the Iraqis? We are so stupid in this country – if you are not a Briton you get massive payouts, however if you are British you would have to fight for years to try and get 2,000 pounds. It is sad that this person was badly injured, but it was an accident. It was also in a Bush/Blair war zone.”
However, although disagreeing with the ruling, he is stating the obvious. The Iraq war is a Bush/Blair war zone and every soldier in Iraq has committed themselves to a job well knowing about the dangers they risk and the compensation claims available from their employer.
The Iraqi teenager now compensated was thirteen years old at the time the accident happened. The accident occurred when a British soldier he had befriended dropped his gun which had not been secured by the safety catch on it.
The boy was shot in the stomach and spine and will need a lifetime of care.
Although a tragic accidents, what separates the teenager from any British soldier who gets injured in service is the matter of choice. British soldiers who get injured choose to get involved and choose to carry arms themselves. The Iraqi people never had that choice.
Instead of complaining, this compensation from the High Court should be welcomed by the British people as a sign of responsibility. Finally the British state has showed some level of responsible action in relation to the illegal war they continue to lead in Iraq.
