ࡱ> AC@5@  bjbj22 "0XXZZZZZZZnn1($R9VZZZBZZ"0ZZ  xT^T01:,nnZZZZZ`^  \lnn$"nnWORLD TRIBUNAL ON IRAQ BRIEFING We are witnessing a war and occupation that offends our sense of justice. The US Administration does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and therefore cannot be brought before it. We can no longer ignore the paradox haunting us: If the powerful can officially exempt themselves from the law, then what implications follow for the worlds demand for justice? The World Tribunal on Iraq seeks to respond to this question. The Aims In organising this International Tribunal we pursue four fundamental aims: To establish the facts about what happened in Iraq and to inform the public about war crimes committed by the US and its allies in the attack on Iraq and the perpetuation of crimes during the occupation. There is the need for a deeper investigation on the real goals behind this war and the dangers of this war logic for world peace. It is especially important to reveal the truth behind the limited version of reality provided to us by the war-coalition and its embedded press. To continue and strengthen the mobilisation of the peace movement and the global anti-war protest. It is intended that the tribunal will be an endeavour backed by a strong international network. Anti-war and peace movements that succeeded in mobilizing the masses against the attack on Iraq have adopted the idea of indicting the aggressors and of setting up a campaign to support the Tribunal process. The tribunal is to be considered a continuing process. We are challenging the silence of international institutions and we are seeking to put them under pressure to fulfill their obligations under international law. In judging the recent past our aim is to prevent illegal and illegitimate wars in the future. During this process the tribunal can formulate recommendations on international law and expand notions of justice and ethical-political awareness. It can contribute to providing alternatives to "victors justice" and give a voice to the victims of the war. In doing so, we support the demand to end the occupation and restore Iraqi sovereignty. The WTI initiative seeks to be a part of a broader movement to stop the establishment of a new imperial world order as a permanent "state of exception" with constant wars as one of its main tools. The Istanbul Session The Final Outcome The proceedings in the Istanbul session will set out the findings of the various preceding sessions held around the world on the legal, political, social, and ethical wrongs committed against the people of Iraq, with reference to specific crimes and violations. A conclusion will be drawn on each of the following issues that broadly cover the various investigations that have been part of the WTI process around the world: The (il)legality and (il)legitimacy of the war and occupation of Iraq The criminal conduct of the coalition forces during the war and the ongoing occupation The failure of political institutions, both national and international, to prevent the execution of war The complicity of the media and information agencies in all the said crimes and violations The accountability for the economical and political designs in the outbreak of the war and the future threat this entails In order to accomplish our stated aims, the wider issues of concern that arise from this war, beyond the specific crimes committed, must also be addressed. The second part of the Istanbul session will be considering the future implications that result from the violation of international law. Such considerations include: the implications on the role and effectiveness of the UN; the media as a reliable source of information and the impact of this war on global security and civil liberties. The aim is for the concluding session in Istanbul to provide a point of departure for future initiatives that might build on the work of the WTI and/or elaborate on issues that may not have received the attention they deserve. The Demand for Justice We are aware that the law is not above and beyond all sources of influence and its enforcement is commensurate with political power. The WTI initiative will seek power of enforcement in terms of acting upon the judgments reached to mobilise world public opinion in order to invigorate social and political pressure that will contribute to peace and justice. To this end, the WTI, based on its work, will campaign at all levels, addressing the world public as well as international institutions. Efforts to bring national authorities and war makers to national and international courts will also receive the support of the WTI as part of the overall campaign to put an end to the impunity enjoyed by the US and its allies. We believe that the Istanbul session bears the responsibility of culminating a process already initiated, and of initiating a process yet to be imagined. The origins and structure of the World Tribunal on Iraq The idea was discussed and supported at anti-war meetings that were held in Berlin, Brussels, Geneva, Paris and Cancun during 2003. On 25 May 2003, the participants at the Jakarta Conference issued a joint declaration committing to work to establish an international tribunal on war crimes. A working group was established during the European Network for Peace and Human Rights Meeting of the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation, held in Brussels on 26-27 June 2003. The working group decided that the international tribunal would investigate and establish the crimes against the people of Iraq and against humanity. Later, an international coordination committee was formed consisting of individuals and groups initially interested in the tribunal initiative to help facilitate the work of the secretariat and the exchange of information. The international coordinating group came together in Istanbul on 27-29 October 2003 and decided upon the concept, format and the objectives of the tribunal project. The core series of hearings started on April 14th 2004 in Brussels and will end in a final tribunal session in Istanbul between June 23rd and 27th, 2005. For more information: International Media Co-ordinator Tolga Temuge, + 90 533 6444687  HYPERLINK "mailto:tolga.temuge@worldtribunal.org" tolga.temuge@worldtribunal.org  HYPERLINK "http://www.worldtribunal.org" http://www.worldtribunal.org  !" ? 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