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SAMPLE 9-11PEACE BULLETIN
TOWARD AN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
Read online, subscribe, or unsubscribe at:
http://www.9-11peace.org/bulletin.php3
Bulletin Editor: Susan V. Thompson
CONTENTS
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1. Introduction: Hope for the Future
2. One Link
3. An Introduction to the ICC
4. 9-11 and the ICC
5. Special Feature: Bulletin Survey Results
6. Recommended Reading
7. Get Involved
8. About the Bulletin
INTRODUCTION: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
--------------------------------------------
"The establishment of the International Criminal Court will be a watershed moment for the progression of
humankind. "
-- "What's New" section, Canadian ICC website
When President Bush defined the events of September 11 as an
act of war, he set the stage for a military response. There
was an alternative, however. The terrorist attacks could
have been defined as crimes against humanity, and the
perpetrators tried before some kind of ad hoc international
court. This could have saved the thousands of civilian
lives that have been lost in Afghanistan, while still
acknowledging the magnitude of the loss that America
suffered on 9-11 and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Unfortunately, the Bush administration did not choose this option, and the war on terrorism
continues, seemingly
without end.
Perhaps this option would have been more appealing if there
were already a permanent international judicial body in place. The good news is that by the end of this
year, there
will be. 60 countries need to ratify the Rome Statute of
the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order for it to be established, and
currently, there are 139 signatories and 52 ratifications, the most recent ratifications being those of
Portugal and Ecuador on February 5, 2002. It is estimated
that the last eight countries could ratify as soon as March,
with the court becoming fully empowered well before the end
of 2002. In the future, there will be an international body
with the ability to intervene in incidents like those of Sept. 11 and ensure that
justice, not revenge, prevails.
This week, we take a brief look at the new international
criminal court, and the United States' continued resistance
to it.
Next Week: Defining terrorism.
ONE LINK
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The ICC is close to reality as the 50th country ratifies. However, the US continues to oppose its
creation. This
article is an excellent summary of the current state of the ICC, with a focus on the American policies that have so far
barred US participation.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=93
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ICC
---------------------------------------
A one-page introduction to the ICC and its relation to Sept.
11 which features details about how it will work. Also
includes a link to a letter-writing campaign focused on
lobbying US Senators to support ratification.
http://www.globalexchange.org/september11/icc.html
An alphabetical listing that provides the signing and
ratification status of every country, including a detailed
but concise explanation of the United States' current status
on this issue. You can easily locate and read about your
own country. Links to related resources and groups for each
country are also included.
http://www.igc.org/icc/html/country.html
A short ICC timeline that places the move to create an
international court in the context of the World Wars.
http://www.icc.gc.ca/english/02_history_e/02_history_e.htm
Frequently asked questions about the ICC.
http://www.icc.gc.ca/english/04_qa_e/04_qa_e.htm
9-11 AND THE ICC
----------------
According to the UN, the WTC attacks demonstrate that the
ICC is needed.
http://www.endgenocide.org/ceg-icc/prepcommfall2001.html
A Harvard law professor argues that the ICC would be an
ideal way to try the perpetrators of the WTC attacks.
However, since it is not yet fully functional, she describes
an alternative way to try those involved that would include
the international community.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=94
SPECIAL FEATURE: BULLETIN SURVEY RESULTS
--------------------------------------------------
We'd like thank everyone who participated in last week's
survey. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We
especially appreciate your comments and topic suggestions.
This sort of specific feedback is invaluable in helping us
continue to improve the quality of the bulletin.
We'd also like to thank everyone who has volunteered with
9-11Peace.org. Your hard work is an essential part of
spreading the message of peace, and with the new volunteers
we've gained this week, we hope to make this message even
more effective.
Here are just a few of our favorite comments :
"Not only is this bulletin informative, but it does a good
job of covering the stuff which everyone else chooses to
forget about - i.e., the most important stuff."
"This makes me more hopeful about the future of mankind. It
also makes me proud to belong to the human race."
"You're a voice of well-researched and well-presented sanity
in a country that's besotted with mindless militarism."
RECOMMENDED READING
---------------------
Another World Is Possible: New World Disorder
Edited by: Jee Kim et al.
Subway & Elevated Press
This excellent book is a collection of essays, pictures,
articles, e-mail messages, and other relevant information
that remembers, mourns, and examines the events of Sept. 11
from a variety of progressive perspectives. It's also a
conversation sparking campaign, meant to help raise
questions, such as "what can we do?"
http://www.anotherworldispossible.net
To order, send $12.00 per book to:
New Mouth from the Dirty South
PO Box 19742
New Orleans, LA 70179-0742
or order online at:
http://www.newmouthfromthedirtysouth.com
GET INVOLVED
-------------
If you would like us to include an action, giving idea, news
article, or source in the bulletin, please write to
bulletin@9-11peace.org and describe
your item in the subject
line.
The 9-11Peace.org bulletin is looking for volunteers to help
us with research. If you think you've got the time,
know-how, and energy to do this well, please write to Eli or
Susan at editor@9-11peace.org. Put
"Volunteer" in the
subject line, and add a brief paragraph summarizing your
experience and interest.
We apologize if you have sent us an e-mail and we have not
gotten back to you yet. Our response time will be slow until
we can get some more volunteers working on this aspect of
9-11Peace.org.
ABOUT THE BULLETIN
-------------------
The 9-11Peace.org bulletin is a weekly newsletter providing
resources, news, and action ideas to over 25,000 people
around the world. The full text of the bulletin is online at
http://www.9-11peace.org/bulletin.php3;
users can subscribe
to the bulletin at that address also. The bulletin is a
project of 9-11Peace.org. Contact bulletin@9-11peace.org
for
more information.
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