This seemed quite alarming today
Tzipi Livi former Isreali minster had to cancel her visit after a UK court issued an arrest warrant to try her for war crimes. she was part of the cabinet which were in power whilst the 22day offensive happened in Gaza
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8413234.stm
This is perfectly legal and fills our obligation in part to the geneva convention
The government has a duty under the Fourth Geneva Convention to ‘seek out and prosecute’ alleged war criminals. Under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957, the UK has universal jurisdiction to arrest and try suspected perpetrators of “grave breaches” of the Fourth Geneva Convention
The judicial system is meant to be independent and the government’s role is not to intervene. If a judge believes there is sufficient evidence for potential warcrimes an arrest warrant can be granted.
The UK government did not like the decison from the court and is thinking of reforming law so to bypass the inital commitment of the geneva convention
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8415161.stm
If after having a look at this you want to act you can do the following things courtesy of the Palestinian Campaign
Ask your MP to do the following:
1. Sign Early Day Motion 502 tabled by Jeremy Corbyn MP defending the right to bring war criminals to justice: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=40074&SESSION=903
2. Urgently contact the Foreign Office raising the following points:
· The government has a duty under the Fourth Geneva Convention to ‘seek out and prosecute’ alleged war criminals. Under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957, the UK has universal jurisdiction to arrest and try suspected perpetrators of “grave breaches” of the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949 (IVCG). War criminals should be pursued – Britain must not become a ‘safe haven’.
· The judicial system is meant to be independent and the government’s role is not to intervene. If a judge believes there is sufficient evidence for an arrest warrant to be granted, it is irrelevant whether this embarrasses or causes problems for the British government.
· The Goldstone Report detailed war crimes and potential crimes against humanity committed by Israel in Gaza. It was shameful that the government abstained on the vote for the Report at the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly.
· Instead of responding to pressure from the Israeli government to end the right to charge and prosecute war criminals, the government should immediately change its position – it should support international law and justice, and act itself to uphold the Fourth Geneva Convention.
· Britain cannot be a true and independent ‘partner’ for peace if its policies are one-sided, and it allows those responsible for war crimes against Palestinians to avoid justice.
· Tzipi Livni is just the latest in a list of Israelis who have come under scrutiny over allegations of war crimes. Our government should reflect on this, and change its foreign policy, including ending its arms trade with Israel.
Also today I sumbitted for a competition called the Sony world photgraphy awards. The theme was war and peace. They are looking for a single image
I submitted these below
