Britain to change war crimes laws to allow senior Israeli government officials into the UK

You —

Something that should have been posted about last week when it was announced.


Until now, former senior Israeli government officials have shied away from making public visits to the UK, and even last weeks visit by Tzipi Livni needed special consideration to be safely allowed into the UK without fear of arrest:


The Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni has avoided the possibility of prosecution in a British court for war crimes after the Foreign Office declared that she enjoys temporary diplomatic immunity.


Brown: "Politically motivated" arest warrants for war criminals will be stopped

You —

UK plans to end 'politically-motivated' arrest warrants


The UK is planning to stop attempts to secure "politically-motivated" private arrest warrants for visiting foreign officials, the prime minister has said.


Campaigners have applied to the courts to have a number of high-profile figures detained, most recently former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni.


Magistrates currently are asked to consider the applications.


The Crown Prosecution Service could now decide if warrants are issued for alleged international law violations.


A warrant for the arrest of Ms Livni was issued at Westminster Magistrates' Court in December last year after moves by pro-Palestinian campaigners angry at Israeli action in Gaza.


The move sparked complaints by the Israeli government and saw Ms Livni cancel her visit.


'National interest'


Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Brown said that Britain would "continue to take action to prosecute or extradite suspected war criminals - regardless of their status or power".


He cited the case of Afghan warlord Faryadi Zardad, found guilty of torture and hostage taking in his home country who was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment at the Old Bailey in 2006.


Read more @ BBC News


UK Court issues arrest warrant for Tzipi Livni

You —

Image

Well, it seems an arrest warrant has been issued by a UK court for the arrest of former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni over alleged war crimes carried out in the Israeli assault on Gaza last year.


Ms Livni has already cancelled a visit to the UK and over the past few months there have been other senior war mongers who had been warned against coming to the UK. Win.


However, it seems some parts of the UK government apparatus was caught off guard, and this arrest warrant may not be around for all too long:


<drupal-media data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="d260b60c-b913-42d3-950e-028da0e43856"></drupal-media>


But even then when a war criminal does come to the UK, arrest warrants can be sought again and this makes it more difficult for murdered and war criminals to travel the world without fear.


A proud day to be British?


UN scrutinises Gaza 'war crimes'

You —

The UN's main human rights watchdog has begun a debate on a damning report into Israel's military operation against Gaza eight months ago.


It is seen as a test of US engagement with the Human Rights Council, which was shunned by President George W Bush.


The US, which is Israel's main ally, has criticised elements of the report.


The report, widely lauded by human rights groups, accuses both Israel and its militant Palestinian adversary Hamas of war crimes in the campaign.


Read more @ BBC News