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The military action in Afghanistan has no end
in sight. The world still awaits a clear definition of what the war is
for. It is clear that there is no significant Muslim support for the bombing.
There was unity in our horror at the events of 11 September, but there
is no such unity behind George W Bush's actions since.
The Americans have responded in the name of justice, but with the substance
of revenge.
It is the right moment, therefore, to publish Daniel Wheatley's important
and instructive paper on the International
Criminal Court.
It should not surprise us that, in the wake of an extraordinary criminal
act, new methods of applying the criminal law should be required. Sadly,
opposition to the idea of an international criminal jurisdiction is deeply
entrenched in the minds of some of the people who need it most.
Criminals should not be able to hide from justice behind the artificial
barriers of national sovereignty. But how to distinguish between an impartial
system of justice and mob rule? That is the dilemma facing Bush and Blair
today. A strengthened system for the global application of justice must
surely be part of any settlement.
This article was written by Richard Laming,
a member of the Executive Committee of Federal Union. He can be contacted
at richard@richardlaming.com.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily
those of Federal Union. First edition, 1 December 2001.
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