Elizabeth Earle's view, (Letters, August 1) that it is wrong for soldiers who may have ill-treated civilians to be charged with war crimes offences, was very interesting.

One of the reasons British troops are in Iraq is to help the civilians try to establish democracy.

The current war crimes charges are not against all soldiers, but those alleged to have done wrong. It is good for the discipline of all troops that those who may have broken the law are tried.

The interests of law-abiding soldiers and citizens, whether British or Iraqi, are that those who commit crimes are subject to the rule of law.

Democracy needs the rule of law and vice versa.

The reality is that our troops' morale should be boosted to know that by dealing with their colleagues' misdemeanours properly they are setting a shining example for the Iraqi people (civilians and soldiers) to follow.

Finally, Ms Earle says human rights lawyers must come down from their lofty perches. I am a human rights lawyer in York for a Quaker meeting.

If Ms Earle meets me I hope she will find that while I am tall, my feet are firmly on the ground.

Jez Smith,

Aske House,

Fanshaw Street, London.

Updated: 09:25 Wednesday, August 03, 2005