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Belgium waffles. (Scan).
An old adage says that democracies do not wage war against each other. Democratic nations, nonetheless, are finding a new way to express their disdain for their allies' foreign policies: They take the heads of government to court.
Since 1993, Belgium, through its "anti-atrocity law," has claimed universal jurisdiction for crimes "so serious that they amount to an offense against the whole of humanity." Belgium claims the right to prosecute such crimes regardless of the nationalities and whereabouts of the claimants or the defendants. As a result, the Belgian court system has become a forum for aggrieved activists to have their political views recognized on the world stage. Suits have been filed against true tyrants like Fidel Castro and Saddam Hussein, as well as democratic leaders like Tony Blair and George W. Bush.
Claimants include Belgium's state prosecutor, atrocity victims, and bystanders. In a recent suit against U.S. General Tommy Franks, four doctors with Medicine for the Third World, a Belgian relief organization, alleged that the U.S. military showed disregard for civilian life in Baghdad.
Universal jurisdiction suits can also become quite vindictive. In 2001, three lawyers filed a suit against Ariel Sharon and other top Israeli officials on behalf of 28 survivors of the Sabra and Shatila massacres in 1982. Denying the charges, Israeli officials have threatened to prosecute Belgian officials for their admitted role in the 1961 murder of Patrice Lumumba, Prime Minister of the Congo.
Early this summer, the United States put pressure on ...
- Universal jurisdiction and the Bush administration.
- Magazine article from: The Humanist Gutierrez, Donald March 1, 2007 700+ words
...actual power of universal jurisdiction in relation to...principle," universal jurisdiction fits neatly into...signed by the United States. Initially designed...could reinforce universal jurisdiction in condemning...
- For oppressors, there must be no safe haven.(perpetrators of crimes against...
- Magazine article from: National Catholic Reporter GORDON, NEVE April 7, 2000 700+ words
...rule of "universal jurisdiction." Genocide...subject to universal jurisdiction under international...Perhaps the United States is refusing...excursions to the United States or Europe...secure. Universal jurisdiction can be employed...
- Spain urged to limit universal jurisdiction powers.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire May 19, 2009 700+ words
...abroad under the concept of universal jurisdiction. In a nonbinding proposal...have used the doctrine of universal jurisdiction in recent years to try to...involving Israel and the United States. Many of the cases had...
- Ninth Circuit decides that U.S. has criminal jurisdiction over foreign national...
- Newspaper article from: International Law Update May 1, 2008 700+ words
...the 'offender is later found in the United States.' Id. Section 2280(b)(1...rendered him 'later found' in the United States as the statute defines that term...federal law beyond the borders of the United States, EEOC v. Arabian Am. Oil Co...
- Universal jurisdiction and the pirate: time for an old couple to part.
- Magazine article from: Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law Goodwin, Joshua Michael May 1, 2006 700+ words
...any nation-state to exercise universal jurisdiction over high seas piracy. This has...Further, allowing states to exercise universal jurisdiction over pirates violates the due process...prohibiting states from exercising universal jurisdiction over pirates and instead requiring...
- The new universal jurisdiction: in absentia signaling over clearly defined...
- Magazine article from: Georgetown Journal of International Law Colangelo, Anthony J. January 1, 2005 700+ words
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION A. Universal Jurisdiction in International Law B. Two Main Issues Confronting Universal Jurisdiction II. UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION IN ABSENTIA A. Defining Universal Jurisdiction in Absentia B. The Threat to Sovereignty...
- ISRAEL: PCHR AND SPANISH CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZE CONFERENCES IN MADRID IN...
- News wire article from: Infoprod June 22, 2009 700+ words
...a proposed amendment to Spains universal jurisdiction legislation. On 19 May 2009...legislation limiting the scope of Spains universal jurisdiction legislation, this amendment will...Spain has long been an advocate of universal jurisdiction; it is widely believed that the...
- AU calls for global "review of universal jurisdiction".
- Newspaper article from: BBC Monitoring International Reports February 6, 2009 700+ words
...to understand the principle of universal jurisdiction, the assembly urged member states...world to review the principle of universal jurisdiction. The principle of universal jurisdiction allows for internationally issuing...
- Mexico gives boost to universal jurisdiction; Spain's extradition of an...
- Newspaper article from: The Christian Science Monitor June 16, 2003 700+ words
...until now, losing - battle for "universal jurisdiction," the principle that gross rights...Human Rights Watch and an expert on universal jurisdiction. Human rights activists the world...says Mr. Brody. Critics of universal jurisdiction say it goes against the idea of...
- Rwandan paper urges Africa to unite against abuse of universal jurisdiction.
- Newspaper article from: BBC Monitoring International Reports December 14, 2008 700+ words
...entitled "Unity required in the fight against abuse of universal jurisdiction" published by Rwandan newspaper The New Times website...this week, condemned the abuse of the principle of universal jurisdiction or the universality principle. The principle which...
Source: HighBeam Research, Belgium waffles. (Scan).