The chairman of the Irish Red Cross, Mr David Andrews, has described as "repulsive and disgusting" the public display of American prisoners-of-war and the bodies of dead US troops in television broadcasts from Iraq.
The former minister for foreign affairs said: "These men and women are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. The remains of those who have been killed must be recorded for future repatriation for their home countries in accordance with the First Geneva Convention, Articles 16 and 17."
Voicing his support for the position of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr Andrews said it was imperative that all sides considered their obligations to both their prisoners and their own troops.
The Third Geneva Convention, relating to the treatment of prisoners, was designed to ensure that decency and morality could prevail in times of war, he said.
The Labour Party's spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Michael D. Higgins, reiterated his call for the Fourth Geneva Convention, dealing with the protection of civilians and children, to be upheld. However, he said, the Third Convention must be respected also, and any departure from it by either Iraqi or US-led forces must be deplored.
Mr Higgins added: "Although this war has been started outside the ambit of international law, it is essential that all parties to the conflict respect all tenets of the Geneva Convention, and Ireland should not be reluctant to speak out and condemn breaches whereever and whenever they occur."
In Derry, the Foyle Ethical Investment Campaign is holding a vigil at 6.30 p.m. today outside the Guildhall. The protest is against the continuing presence in the city of Raytheon, manufacturer of Tomahawk cruise missiles.
