June, 01 2010, 03:07pm EDT

NGOs Gathered in Kampala Call for End to Impunity Crisis Following Israeli Attack on Aid Convoy
We, the undersigned organisations gathered in Kampala at the
International Criminal Court (ICC) Review Conference, are shocked by
Israel's killing and injury of civilians carrying humanitarian supplies
to Gaza. We wish to express our sorrow regarding the loss of life and
call on the international community to immediately take all appropriate
measures in response to this unacceptable violence.
WASHINGTON
We, the undersigned organisations gathered in Kampala at the
International Criminal Court (ICC) Review Conference, are shocked by
Israel's killing and injury of civilians carrying humanitarian supplies
to Gaza. We wish to express our sorrow regarding the loss of life and
call on the international community to immediately take all appropriate
measures in response to this unacceptable violence.
On 31 May 2010 Israeli forces opened fire against an international
aid convoy seeking to bring humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip;
more than 700 unarmed activists from over 40 countries were on board the
8-ship flotilla. The attack occurred in international waters and
resulted in the killing of at least 9 persons and the injury of a
further 60.
aid convoy seeking to bring humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip;
more than 700 unarmed activists from over 40 countries were on board the
8-ship flotilla. The attack occurred in international waters and
resulted in the killing of at least 9 persons and the injury of a
further 60.
The entire population of the Gaza Strip is subjected to an illegal
closure imposed by Israel as a form of collective punishment, resulting
in a scandalous, wholly preventable humanitarian crisis. As noted by the
United Nations, Israel currently allows only one-quarter of the
necessary supplies into Gaza. The aid convoy was carrying 10,000 tonnes
of humanitarian goods, including medicines, basic education and
reconstruction materials.
closure imposed by Israel as a form of collective punishment, resulting
in a scandalous, wholly preventable humanitarian crisis. As noted by the
United Nations, Israel currently allows only one-quarter of the
necessary supplies into Gaza. The aid convoy was carrying 10,000 tonnes
of humanitarian goods, including medicines, basic education and
reconstruction materials.
This tragedy is the result of the prolonged impunity granted to
Israel by the international community, despite Israel's documented,
persistent disregard for international and humanitarian law in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and its violation of fundamental
human rights, including the right to life. Many of these violations also
entail criminal responsibility; however, so far no concrete action has
been taken and impunity is a long standing feature of Israel's illegal
occupation policy.
Israel by the international community, despite Israel's documented,
persistent disregard for international and humanitarian law in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and its violation of fundamental
human rights, including the right to life. Many of these violations also
entail criminal responsibility; however, so far no concrete action has
been taken and impunity is a long standing feature of Israel's illegal
occupation policy.
As noted by the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, the
"prolonged situation of impunity has created a justice crisis in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory that warrants action." It is a self
evident truth that law becomes meaningless if not enforced.
"prolonged situation of impunity has created a justice crisis in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory that warrants action." It is a self
evident truth that law becomes meaningless if not enforced.
The conflict in Israel-Palestine extends beyond its territorial
boundaries and must be regarded as a matter of concern to the entire
international community. The consequences of continued impunity,
occurring under the glare of the world's media, have widespread global
implications, undermining faith in international justice and its ability
to protect civilians. No State should be allowed to act above the law.
boundaries and must be regarded as a matter of concern to the entire
international community. The consequences of continued impunity,
occurring under the glare of the world's media, have widespread global
implications, undermining faith in international justice and its ability
to protect civilians. No State should be allowed to act above the law.
While this tragedy takes place, the first Review Conference of the
International Criminal Court (ICC) opens in Kampala, Uganda. On this
historic occasion the entire international community, at the presence of
UN higher authorities, is celebrating international justice's most
important achievement. The Court is the result of over 50 years of
struggle to enforce international law through accountability; it was
celebrated as the means to uphold the rule of law, to move from war to
law.
International Criminal Court (ICC) opens in Kampala, Uganda. On this
historic occasion the entire international community, at the presence of
UN higher authorities, is celebrating international justice's most
important achievement. The Court is the result of over 50 years of
struggle to enforce international law through accountability; it was
celebrated as the means to uphold the rule of law, to move from war to
law.
Through the ICC the international community aims to put an end to
impunity for the gravest crimes. Speaking at the opening of the ICC
Review Conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and ICC Prosecutor
Louis-Moreno Ocampo, stated that 'no one is beyond reach': perpetrators
of international crimes must be held to account, regardless of their
rank or nationality. International crimes must no go unpunished.
impunity for the gravest crimes. Speaking at the opening of the ICC
Review Conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and ICC Prosecutor
Louis-Moreno Ocampo, stated that 'no one is beyond reach': perpetrators
of international crimes must be held to account, regardless of their
rank or nationality. International crimes must no go unpunished.
Speaking from the venue of the Conference in Kampala the UN
Secretary General strongly condemned Israel's attack on the humanitarian
flottilla to Gaza. States delegates declared themselves shocked and
outraged by the killings. Everybody urged for a strong reaction at the
international level. The UN Security Council immediately called an
emergency session on the incident.
Secretary General strongly condemned Israel's attack on the humanitarian
flottilla to Gaza. States delegates declared themselves shocked and
outraged by the killings. Everybody urged for a strong reaction at the
international level. The UN Security Council immediately called an
emergency session on the incident.
Our international legal order has all the instruments at disposal
to ensure that these declarations do not remain - once again - dead
words sadly condemned to fade on paper.
to ensure that these declarations do not remain - once again - dead
words sadly condemned to fade on paper.
For more than one and a half year, following Israel's military
attack on Gaza of December 2008-January 2009, the ICC Prosecutor has
been closely monitoring the events in the OPT and examining the
possibility of opening an investigation into the situation. The UN
Security Council can accelerate the process and refer the situation to
the Court, triggering its jurisdiction regardless of the territoriality
and nationality links. The ICC Review Conference is a unique opportunity
for the international community to take a concrete step towards
upholding the rule of law.
attack on Gaza of December 2008-January 2009, the ICC Prosecutor has
been closely monitoring the events in the OPT and examining the
possibility of opening an investigation into the situation. The UN
Security Council can accelerate the process and refer the situation to
the Court, triggering its jurisdiction regardless of the territoriality
and nationality links. The ICC Review Conference is a unique opportunity
for the international community to take a concrete step towards
upholding the rule of law.
We want Kampala to be remembered as the place where justice
triumphed over politics.
triumphed over politics.
Therefore, the undersigned organizations call for the illegal
closure of the Gaza Strip to be immediately lifted and urge:
closure of the Gaza Strip to be immediately lifted and urge:
- The ICC Prosecutor to make an urgent determination regarding the
opening of an investigation into the situation in the OPT. - The UN Secretary General: to urgently address the UN Security
Council with respect to the ongoing impunity crisis in Israel and the
OPT in order to engage all appropriate international mechanisms. - The UN Security Council: to refer the situation to the ICC.
- All States Parties to the ICC: to take all appropriate measure,
at the diplomatic and legal levels, to uphold the rule of law in the OPT - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: to urgently visit the
Gaza Strip. - Israel to comply with their international legal obligation and
cooperate with investigative authority.
Signatories:
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH)
Centre for Constitutional Rights (CCR, USA)
Turkish Coalition for the ICC
Track Impunity Always (TRIAL)
Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists
Gender Justice Initiative
Fondazione Internazionale Lelio Basso (Italy)
Cairo Institute for Human Rights
University College Dublin, (Ireland)
Africa Freedom of Information Centre
Uganda Joint Christian Council
Human Rights Network - Uganda
Uganda Women and Children Organisation (UWCO)
Hope After Rape (HAR, Uganda)
Disabled Women's Network & Resource Organisation in Uganda
(DWMRO)
(DWMRO)
Cameroon Coalition for Human Rights
Iranian Islamic Human Rights Commission
Kituo Cha Sheria (Kenya)
Coalition for Justice and Accountability (Sierra Leone)
Colombian Comission of Jurists
Network Movement for Democracy Human Rights (NMDHR, Sierra Leone)
Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights
Indonesian Civil Society Coalition for the ICC (ICSLCC)
Ligue pour la Paix et les Droits de l'Homme (LIPADHO, DRC)
Synergie des ONG's Congolaise pour les Victimes (SYCOVI, DRC)
Femme pour la Paix, le Developpement et les Droit de l'Homme (DRC)
Sierra Leone Coalition for the ICC
Association Espanola De Derecho International De Derechos Humanos
(AEDIDH)
(AEDIDH)
Justice Without Frontiers
Lebanese Centre for International Law and Human Rights
La Coalition Marocain Pour La Cour Penal Internationale
Institute for Justice and Reconciliation
The Center for Constitutional Rights is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. CCR is committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.
(212) 614-6464LATEST NEWS
US 'Imperial Anxieties' Mount Over China-Brokered Iran-Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Deal
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Mar 11, 2023
While advocates of peace and a multipolar world order welcomed Friday's China-brokered agreement reestablishing diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, U.S. press, pundits, and politicians expressed what one observer called "imperial anxieties" over the deal and growing Chinese influence in a region dominated by the United States for decades.
The deal struck between the two countries—which are fighting a proxy war in Yemen—to normalize relations after seven years of severance was hailed by Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, as "a victory of dialogue and peace."
The three nations said in a joint statement that the agreement is an "affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in internal affairs."
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Iran and Saudi Arabia "also expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the leadership and government of the People's Republic of China for hosting and sponsoring the talks, and the efforts it placed towards its success," the statement said.
United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric thanked China for its role in the deal, asserting in a statement that "good neighborly relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are essential for the stability of the Gulf region."
Amy Hawthorne, deputy director for research at the Project on Middle East Democracy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group, toldThe New York Times that "China's prestigious accomplishment vaults it into a new league diplomatically and outshines anything the U.S. has been able to achieve in the region since [President Joe] Biden came to office."
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At the Carnegie Endowment, yet another think tank located in the nation's capital, senior fellow Aaron David Miller tweeted that the deal "boosts Beijing and legitimizes Tehran. It's a middle finger to Biden and a practical calculation of Saudi interests"
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Murtaza Hussein, a reporter for The Intercept,tweeted that the fact that the agreement "was mediated by China as a trusted outside party shows shortcomings of belligerent U.S. approach to the region."
While cautiously welcoming the agreement, Biden administration officials expressed skepticism that Iran would live up to its end of the bargain.
"This is not a regime that typically does honor its word, so we hope that they do," White House National Security Council Strategic Coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Friday—apparently without any sense of irony over the fact that the United States unilaterally abrogated the Iran nuclear deal during the Trump administration.
Kirby added that the Biden administration would "like to see this war in Yemen end," but he did not acknowledge U.S. support for the Saudi-led intervention in a civil war that's directly or indirectly killed nearly 400,000 people since 2014, according to United Nations humanitarian officials.
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Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative in the Middle East Programs for the Atlantic Council, urged the U.S. to maintain friendly relations with brutal dictatorships in the region in order to prevent Chinese hegemony there.
Panikoff wrote in an Atlantic Council analysis:
We may now be seeing the emergence of China's political role in the region and it should be a warning to U.S. policymakers: Leave the Middle East and abandon ties with sometimes frustrating, even barbarous, but long-standing allies, and you'll simply be leaving a vacuum for China to fill. And make no mistake, a China-dominated Middle East would fundamentally undermine U.S. commercial, energy, and national security.
Other observers also worried about China's rising power in the Middle East and beyond.
New York Times China correspondent David Pierson wrote Saturday that China's role in the Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement shows Chinese President Xi Jinping's "ambition of offering an alternative to a U.S.-led world order."
According to Pierson:
The vision Mr. Xi has laid out is one that wrests power from Washington in favor of multilateralism and so-called noninterference, a word that China uses to argue that nations should not meddle in each other's internal affairs, by criticizing human rights abuses, for example.
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Pierson noted Xi's Global Security Initiative, which seeks to promote "peaceful coexistence" in a multipolar world that eschews "unilateralism, bloc confrontation, and hegemonism" like U.S. invasions and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
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The U.S. has attacked, invaded, or occupied more than 20 countries since 1950. During that same period, China has invaded two countries—India and Vietnam.
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New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker also published an article Saturday about how the "China-brokered deal upends Mideast diplomacy and challenges [the] U.S."
"The Americans, who have been the central actors in the Middle East for the past three-quarters of a century, almost always the ones in the room where it happened, now find themselves on the sidelines during a moment of significant change," fretted Baker. "The Chinese, who for years played only a secondary role in the region, have suddenly transformed themselves into the new power player."
Some experts asserted that more peace in the Middle East would be a good thing, no matter who brokers it.
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"Unfortunately, the U.S. has adopted an approach to the region that has disabled it from becoming a credible mediator," he lamented. "Too often, Washington takes sides in conflicts and becomes a co-belligerent—as in Yemen—which then reduces its ability to play the role of peacemaker."
"Washington should avoid a scenario where regional players view America as an entrenched warmaker and China as a flexible peacemaker," Parsi cautioned.
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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday denied reports that U.S. President Joe Biden would imminently approve the Willow Project, saying "no final decisions" have been made on the highly controversial $8 billion ConocoPhillips oil drilling endeavor in northern Alaska slammed by critics as a "climate catastrophe."
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According to the Sierra Club:
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While far-right Republicans continue threatening to blow up the global economy unless Congress makes cuts to popular social programs, progressive taxation experts are celebrating U.S. President Joe Biden's latest push to invest in "widespread prosperity" by raising taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations.
As part of his fiscal year 2024 budget blueprint unveiled Thursday, Biden calls for a 25% minimum tax on the wealthiest 0.01%; reforms to ensure high-income individuals pay their fair share into the Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund; and repealing 2017 tax cuts and restoring the top tax rate of 39.6% for people making over $400,000 a year.
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"The tax policies laid out in this budget are fair, popular, and long overdue," she declared. "The next time someone claims that we can't afford to protect Social Security and Medicare for future generations—or that we need to cut popular investments in education, healthcare, housing, or clean energy—show them President Bident's latest budget proposal and ask them why they care so much about protecting the ultrawealthy from paying their fair share."
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Americans for Tax Fairness executive director Frank Clemente asserted Thursday that "President Biden's budget plainly shows whose side he's on: working families struggling with the high cost of healthcare, childcare, housing and more—not the wealthy elite and their big corporations rolling in dough and dodging their fair share of taxes."
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As Common Dreams reported earlier Friday, the House Freedom Caucus said its 45 members would "consider voting" to raise the U.S. debt limit if their colleagues in Congress abandon some of Biden's key economic priorities, slash hundreds of billions of dollars in social spending, and restrict federal agencies' future budgets.
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