Prosecute Blair, the war criminal.


There is not much that can be done about Bush in my view, the U.S.A. is controlled by the military lobby and republicans who do not want to see an injustice dealt with.  However, although the situation in this country may be similar, in that the military lobby and right wing activists in both the labour and conservative parties want to "move on" from Iraq, there are a lot of public spirited people who believe that the war was immoral, illegal, unjustified, would not help to safe-guard this country from terrorism, and in fact would increase the danger.  We said so at the time, were ignored and have been proved right in subsequent events.

It is a self evident fact that Tony Blair needs to answer the charge that he took this country in to an illegal war, against the wishes of a sizeable movement of UK citizens who protested against it before-hand.  Having lived through this, and seen and heard what was said at the time, and since, I know that this charge requires a hearing in an international court of law, away from UK government manipulation.  Do you remember the Hutton Whitewash?.  Don't expect anything of consequence from Chilcot.  If you need convincing then read George Monbiot's article at www.guardian.co.uk.

He has launched (25th January 2010) a bounty for anyone who attempts a (peaceful) citizens arrest of Tony Blair.  It is extremely unlikely that he will be brought to justice, but it is possible that, through media attention and the raising of public awareness, the injustice that he is being allowed to get away with, unpunished, will be recognised by a large enough body of people that this will not be possible again.  Read what George has to say at http://www.arrestblair.org/.  The law is there but it needs implementing.  He says on his "Legal Status" page:-

The Rome Statute, which established the ICC, determines (Article 5.2) that the Court

shall exercise jurisdiction over the crime of aggression once a provision is adopted in accordance with articles 121 and 123 defining the crime and setting out the conditions under which the Court shall exercise jurisdiction with respect to this crime.

Though the Statute came into force in 2002, and though the crime of aggression has been recognised in international law since 1945, it still hasn’t been adopted.  One of our aims is to put pressure on governments to complete the process as quickly as possible so that those already suspected of committing this crime can be brought before the court.  The United Kingdom signed the Rome Statute in 1998, and ratified it in October 2001: in both cases when Tony Blair was Prime Minister.  It agreed in other words that the crime of aggression should fall under the competence of the court; now it has to ensure that this happens, whereupon a state wishing to uphold the law can deliver Mr Blair for prosecution.

If the campaign can achieve this then it will be worth it.  Blair will have to answer to his maker, if he is as he claims, a Christian.

Links
www.guardian.co.uk Wanted: Tony Blair for war crimes. Arrest him and claim your reward
www.arrestblair.org Blair must face justice
www.arrestblair.org/legal-status Legal Status of "Crimes against peace"
www.icc-cpi.int The Rome Statute

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