Dear all,
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://psc.iparl.com/lobby/55 ), 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://psc.iparl.com/lobby/55 ).
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/
For more information: Read the PSC briefing (
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b-2.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=51&content_ID=1534
) on why we should oppose changes to the law.
PalestineSolidarity Campaign
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!
Join: www.palestinecampaign.org/join
Donate: www.palestinecampaign.org/donate
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
WC1N 3XX
Tel: 020 7700 6192
Fax: 020 7609 7779
Email: info@palestinecampaign.org
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