World Tribunal on Iraq representatives deliver law summons to Bush and Blair

Tuesday May 17, 2005, Brussels – Today, the representatives of the World Tribunal on Iraq (WTI) delivered a law summons and invitation letters addressed to President Bush and Prime Minister Blair to the US and UK Embassies in Brussels as well as other countries around the world (1). The WTI representatives invited Goerge Bush and Tony Blair to the final hearing of the World Tribunal on Iraq that will take place in Istanbul between 23-27 of June 2005. In Brussels a number of activists arrived at the US Embassy with a huge summons reading “Mr. Bush, the World holds you accountable”. The activists also presented a letter to the US officials World Tribunal on Iraq representatives deliver law summons to Bush and Blairat the Embassy (2).

In front of the US Embassy today, Prof. Lieven De Cauter, initiator of the BRussells Tribunal, and spokesperson for the WTI in Belgium, said: “Since the US administration does not recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UK government has used its power to avoid being prosecuted for an illegal and illegitimate war, the citizens of the world have undertaken an initiative to reclaim justice. The world is calling for Bush and Blair to be held accountable for the crimes committed in Iraq.”

The World Tribunal on Iraq (WTI) is a worldwide undertaking to reclaim justice. It aims to record the severe wrongs, crimes and violations that were committed in the process leading up to the aggression against Iraq, during the war and throughout the ensuing occupation, that continue to be widespread to this day. The project consists of commissions of inquiry and sessions held around the world investigating various issues related to the war on Iraq, such as the legality of the war, the role of the United Nations, war crimes and the role of the media as well as the social, political, environmental and cultural devastation.

On June 23rd to the 27th 2005, at the start of the third year of the occupation of Iraq, the culminating session will take place in Istanbul. This session will reach a decision following an examination of the results of the previous sessions as well as new reports and testimonies, while evaluating the implications of the aggression against Iraq for the world at large.

“We ask Mr. Bush and Blair to present their case in front of the jury of concience in Istanbul. We believe that the Istanbul hearing bears the responsibility of culminating a process already initiated, and of initiating a process yet to be imagined.” concluded Mr. De Cauter.

http://www.brusselstribunal.org
http://www.worldtribunal.org

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