“We are appalled to learn that the [UK] government is pressing ahead with ill-considered restrictions on judicial powers to order the arrest of suspected war criminals. Not only is it morally right, but it is also our international obligation to bring war criminals to justice, wherever their crimes were committed. …
“Requiring the prior consent of the director of public prosecutions before an arrest warrant can be issued introduces delay, making it easy for the suspect to leave the country, and risks introducing political interference. …
“We urge all parliamentary political parties to reject these changes.”
A group of top British lawyers have written an open letter criticizing the UK’s planned changes to its war crimes laws.
Last week, a Sri Lanka Army general fled Britain after expatriate Tamils filed a war crimes case against him.
See also Amnesty International’s criticism of the UK's proposed changes here.
See also background briefing and call for action by the UK-based NGO, Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, here.
