PSC Weekly Update – 5 March 2010

March 4th, 2010 • News

URGENT! GOVERNMENT POSTPONES ATTACK ON UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION

New Consultation Until April 6th 2010

Despite the intense pressure by the Israeli government, the government has ruled out any change in law on universal jurisdiction before the general election. This reflects the massive pressure put on the government by those supporting justice and human rights, including many MPs who have been increasingly vocal in their opposition to any attack on universal jurisdiction that will restrict the power of courts here to issue arrest warrants for those suspected of war crimes.

So far, 128 MPs have signed Jeremy Corbyn’s Early Day Motion.

Jack Straw announced today (4 March) that ‘rather than legislating now, we are going to seek views’ on changes to the existing law, which allows victims of war crimes to seek justice in British courts.

The government hasn’t been able to push through a change in parliament before the election because of the strong opposition in parliament and wider to changing the law to hinder those seeking justice for war crimes. This statement follows Gordon Brown’s article in the Telegraph.

Your emails, letters and phone calls have been vital so please keep the pressure up – tell your MP and prospective parliamentary candidates that you oppose any attack on universal jurisdiction – no safe haven for war criminals!

Find out more about what you can do in the weekly update – link below.