URGENT: War criminals not welcome - Oppose changes to universal jurisdiction

Please contact your MPs in the UK!

The recently published Police Reform Bill includes proposals which, if passed, will make it much more difficult to obtain an arrest warrant for anyone accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
 
Currently, for a magistrate to issue an arrest warrant, serious evidence must be presented against the person concerned. The proposed change adds a political dimension to a legal decision and introduces a source of delay when urgent action may be required to stop a suspect escaping justice. Britain has a duty to seek out and prosecute those responsible for war crimes.
 
PSC and other NGO's are calling for MPs to vote against these proposed changes. The current law fully complies with the Geneva convention and the proposed changed will allow politicians to interfere with requests to issue arrest warrants for war criminals.
 
If passed the new legislations would allow the DPP, who is appointed and "superintended" by a government minister, the Attorney General, would have a veto over whether a suspected war criminal to be arrested, no matter how clear the evidence. And the DPP could find themselves under immense pressure from their boss, the Attorney General, to refuse an arrest warrant application if it was for someone from what the government considered an 'ally' country.
 
The situation is now critical. We are asking everyone to contact their MPs and insist that they vote against these proposals.
 
Even if you have already emailed your MP on this issue previously, it is important that you take 2 minutes to send them a new message <http://t.ymlp7.com/qmhavamwjaoajhbmataumhbb/click.php> , asking them to vote against the formally proposed changes. PSC have set up an easy to use e-tool to allow you to send a model letter to your MP <http://t.ymlp7.com/qmhavamwjaoajhbmataumhbb/click.php> .
 
Follow up your email by arranging a meeting with your MP at their next surgery. You can find your MP's contact details at: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ <http://t.ymlp7.com/qmwaramwjazajhbmagaumhbb/click.php>
 
For more information:  Read the PSC briefing <http://t.ymlp7.com/qmqalamwjaoajhbmataumhbb/click.php>  on why we should oppose changes to the law.
 
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
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The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the occupation of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to bring pressure on both the British and Israeli government to bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across the UK. Join PSC today!

Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
WC1N 3XX

Tel: 020 7700 6192
Fax: 020 7609 7779

Email: info@palestinecampaign.org
Web: www.palestinecampaign.org 

Update on Friday, December 3, 2010 at 12:12PM by APJP

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URGENT APPEAL
DCI-Palestine has recently documented two new cases of children deliberately shot whilst collecting building gravel in Gaza. This brings the total number of similar cases documented by DCI since 26 March 2010 to 16. Sixty-nine percent of the children report being shot on, or outside, the 300 metre exclusion zone unilaterally imposed by the Israeli army around Gaza.

• 27 November 2010 – A 15-year-old boy is shot whilst collecting gravel 150 metres from the border – Voices

• 28 November 2010 – A 15-year-old boys is shot whilst collecting gravel 500 metres from the border - Voices

DCI-Palestine has updated and re-issued Urgent Appeal 4/10 to include these two new cases for those wishing to take action -

http://www.dci-pal.org/english/doc/press/UA_4_10_Children_of_the_Gravel_UPDATE_3_DEC__2010(2).pdf

Organisations working in the field report that in the five months since the Israeli government announced an  `easing' of the blockade, there are few signs of any real improvement on the ground.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any further information.

Best regards

Gerard

Gerard Horton
International Advocacy Officer - Lawyer
Defence for Children International – Palestine Section
Tel: +972  2 242 75 30 ext. 103
Fax: +972  2 242 70 18
Mobile: + 972 0599 087 290
Email: gerard@dci-pal.org <mailto:gerard%40dci-pal.org>
Website: www.dci-pal.org 

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