UN seeks probe into war crimes

[CHIMO]

Top United Nations human rights official Louise Arbour has called for an investigation of alleged abuses in Falluja including disproportionate use of force and the targeting of civilians.

Those responsible for any violations – US-led forces, Iraqi government troops or fighters - should be brought to justice, the former UN war crimes prosecutor said in a statement on Tuesday.

"There have been a number of reports during the current confrontation alleging violations of the rules of war designed to protect civilians and combatants," Arbour said.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BA685C00-BCEA-4F70-90D5-2E6AE456D8B0.htm

[tk2kewl]

1. Can the world court try people in abstentia?

[RyomaSakamoto]

2. they can ONLY go after people who aren't investigated by their own country

so i would imagine they don't require the accused present though i am not sure what the rules say.

any international lawyers here got an opinion on the actual text?

[Brundle_Fly]

3. funny how bush has tried

to evade the world court. saying it isnt relevant etc...

I think the UN should move it's headquarters before bush invades it.

[RyomaSakamoto]

4. the BUSH DOCTRINE already has locked in on their location

Re: the International Criminal Court

...

While the "unsigning" was a remarkable snub at the world's diplomats and at principles of civilized behavior that the U.S. has long championed, it will not itself stop the court's creation, nor does it legally absolve the United States from cooperating with it. But the letter does signal Bush's intent to undermine the court at every turn.

With strong administration support, House Republicans promoted a bill that would allow U.S. armed forces to invade the Hague, Netherlands, where the court will be located, to rescue U.S. soldiers if they are ever prosecuted for war crimes. The bill, sponsored by House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, would bar U.S. military aid to countries that ratify the treaty. The bill also would prevent the U.S. from participating in peacekeeping missions that might put American soldiers under the court's jurisdiction. DeLay's bill even would prohibit the U.S. from sharing intelligence with the court regarding suspects being investigated or prosecuted. ( http://www.wfa.org/issues/wicc/wicc.html )

The Bush administration's active campaign against the court places the U.S. alongside only one other country, Libya.

source...
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2002/062102a.html

:scared: