Interpreters and War Crimes

This book explores the roles, responsibilities, ethics, and protection of interpreters in war, particularly during British military trials against the Japanese in the aftermath of the Pacific War. It takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on studies on interpreter ethics in conflict, historical studies of Japanese war crimes, and legal discussions on individual liability in war crimes. The book provides a detailed description and analysis of the 39 interpreter defendants and interpreters as witnesses of war crimes, tackling ethical and legal issues of various risks faced by interpreters in violent conflict. It also discusses the Japanese military's specific linguistic needs in its occupied areas and the attributes of interpreters who could meet such needs. The book seeks to promote intersectoral discussion on how interpreters can be protected from exposure to manifestly unlawful acts such as torture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 26 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book takes an interdisciplinary approach to explore the complex roles, responsibilities, ethics, and protection of interpreters in war. By delving into the substance and agents of Japanese war crimes, as well as the legal aspects of interpreters participating in war crimes, it raises thought-provoking questions and offers diverse perspectives. Drawing from studies on interpreter ethics in conflict, historical investigations into Japanese war crimes, and legal discussions on individual liability in war crimes, the author provides a detailed description and analysis of the 39 interpreter defendants and interpreters who testified as witnesses of war crimes at British military trials against the Japanese in the aftermath of the Pacific War. The book also addresses ethical and legal issues of various risks faced by interpreters in violent conflicts.

The book begins by discussing the backgrounds, recruitment, and wartime activities of the accused interpreters at the British military trials. It sheds light on the reasons why many of the accused were Taiwanese and foreign-born Japanese, emphasizing the specific linguistic needs of the Japanese military in its occupied areas in Southeast Asia. The author then provides a contextualized discussion, focusing on the challenges and attributes of interpreters who could meet these needs.

In the theoretical examination of the issues that arise, the book emphasizes the proximity of interpreters to danger, their visibility, and their perceived authorship of speech. It explores legal responsibility in war crimes and ethical concerns related to testifying as eyewitnesses of criminal acts in violent hostilities. The author critically examines prior literature on the roles of interpreters in conflict and ethical dilemmas such as interpreter neutrality and confidentiality, drawing on legal discussions on the ineffectiveness of the International Criminal Court's (ICC) mandate to investigate and prosecute war crimes.

Through its comprehensive analysis, this book contributes to our understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and ethical challenges faced by interpreters in war. It sheds light on the complexities of their work and the risks they encounter, highlighting the need for robust measures to protect and support interpreters in times of conflict. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in the field of interpreter ethics, war crimes, and international law.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367557508