American Civil Rights - Do They Really Exist?

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bobby
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Message 1206293 - Posted: 15 Mar 2012, 21:58:54 UTC - in response to Message 1206073.  
Last modified: 15 Mar 2012, 21:59:17 UTC

As far as I understand it, all the bases were RAF airfields where control was transferred to the USAF. They would still be classed as British territory, so USA laws wouldn't apply there.

With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the need for large numbers of USAF forces in the UK no longer existed and plans were made for significant cuts.

Bases at Bentwaters, Chicksands, Greenham Common, Sculthorpe and Upper Heyford were closed by the end of 1993. Alconbury's flightline was closed, and its base support functions were taken over by RAF Molesworth. Consolidations were made both at Lakenheath and Mildenhall, leaving them the only two fully equipped USAFE bases in the UK.

USA Airbases in UK



Depends on what type of law you mean. US military personnel would be subject to US martial law. There may have been US courts martial at the USAF bases (and probably were). US civilian support staff can only be tried at a US court martial during times of war.
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that ...

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Message 1206309 - Posted: 15 Mar 2012, 22:49:11 UTC - in response to Message 1206267.  
Last modified: 15 Mar 2012, 23:16:09 UTC

Aren't Imbassies considered sovereign territory of the nation manning the Imbassy?


Good question Bob, I don't think I know the answer. I'm fairly sure they have diplomatic immunity. It is a fact that most foreign Embassies in London owe many hundreds of thousands of pounds in unpaid parking fines. But if say, an Englishman committed Murder in the USA, and then applied for asylum in the UK embassy, I would think the USA authorities could insist on him being released to them. And Vice Versa.

Can anyone say for sure?


Can't say for sure, but UK embassies abroad are highly unlikely to grant diplomatic immunity to a self confessed murderer, or a potential murderer in this hypothetical case. Won't happen. Diplomatic immunity is for diplomats. Hence the parking fines. Think about it. Lets go to a foreign country and kill people, the British embassy will get us out. No, they will not.
They will hand you over to local law enforcement.

Regards,

A

Edit. All in all, I feel a lot safer under Texan law than I do in the UK. While there, I have the same rights as any American to defend myself or my property. With all that entails, and I am comfortable with that. End Edit.
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Message 1206354 - Posted: 16 Mar 2012, 1:45:12 UTC - in response to Message 1206289.  

Aren't Imbassies considered sovereign territory of the nation manning the Imbassy?


Good question Bob, I don't think I know the answer. I'm fairly sure they have diplomatic immunity. It is a fact that most foreign Embassies in London owe many hundreds of thousands of pounds in unpaid parking fines. But if say, an Englishman committed Murder in the USA, and then applied for asylum in the UK embassy, I would think the USA authorities could insist on him being released to them. And Vice Versa.

Can anyone say for sure?

They can insist up the yoohaa but that is all. They could petition for extradition. Or they could wait him out. If he steps off the embassy grounds they can snatch him. Of course the embassy can kick his butt out too. They can not enter the embassy to arrest him.



There is a diplomatic agreement that local police forces, etc cannot enter Embassies, High Commissions, etc, the buildings are not considered foreign territory. There are no border controls and there is no "duty free" zone surrounding them. Crimes committed on such premises would be subject to local law enforcement, just as if they were committed on the street outside.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embassy_of_Russia_in_Ottawa
On January 1, 1956 a fire broke out on the third floor of the embassy. Embassy employees tried to put it out themselves and did not call the fire department. They were unsuccessful and neighbours soon noticed smoke billowing from the building. When the fire department arrived the Soviets would not let them in, insisting they fight the fire from the sidewalk outside. Mayor Charlotte Whitton arrived at the blaze and demanded the fire department be let in, and threatened to have the embassy staff arrested. The dispute between the mayor and the ambassador was mediated by cabinet minister Paul Martin, who had also come to the scene. Eventually, the fire fighters were allowed in, but only after the Soviets had removed large numbers of sensitive documents and equipment. It was too late, however, and the building was gutted.

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Message boards : Politics : American Civil Rights - Do They Really Exist?


 
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