JUSTICE MUST NOT BE THE NEXT CASUALTY
Pressemeddelelse 20/9 2001 www.amnesty.dk
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In the aftermath of the appalling loss of human life resulting from the 11 September attacks in the USA, the world stands at a crossroads, Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International warned today.
“As an international community we can choose a path which honours our highest values and respects the human rights of all people, or one that seeks revenge and allows the perpetrators to set the moral tone of the world’s agenda.”
Arguing that what happens in the coming days and weeks may have profound consequences for the world, Irene Khan urged the international community to pursue every measure possible to bring the perpetrators to justice before resorting to armed intervention. She said, “The perpetrators must be brought to justice but it will only be justice if the means by which it is achieved are in themselves just and uphold the human rights of all people.”
Writing to the United Nations Security Council, Amnesty International again condemned the attacks in the US and said, “We strongly urge the Security Council to ensure that in the search for justice, states exhaust all measures to apprehend and prosecute the suspected perpetrators without risking the lives, well-being or human rights of civilian populations.”
Amnesty International welcomes the Presidential statement from the Security Council on Tuesday (18th September) noting a variety of options for bringing Usama bin Laden to justice, and added, “The international community must invest its resources and imagination in finding other means of achieving justice in full accordance with human rights standards in this case, before resorting to armed intervention. The victims of this appalling crime deserve justice not revenge.”
Amnesty International welcomes EU efforts to combat impunity
As EU Justice and Homes Affairs Ministers gather in Brussels today for their extraordinary council meeting, following the attacks in the US last week, Amnesty International has expressed its support for the EU’s determination to combat impunity. However, the human rights organization has called for explicit assurances that any measure to tighten security will not undermine civil liberties and the right of refugees to protection.
The measures adopted yesterday by the Commission to strengthen judicial cooperation in criminal matters, include the European arrest warrant and the surrender procedures between the member states. Amnesty International welcomes the facilitation of extradition for certain offences, such as crimes against humanity and torture.
“Amnesty International would support the extradition of anyone accused of involvement in these crimes to a country in which they will be brought to justice in trials which uphold internationally recognized rights of fair trail and in which the penalties for those convicted do not involve the death penalty, torture, or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”, said Dick Oosting, Director of Amnesty International’s EU Office.
Amnesty International recommends that such safeguards be explicitly stated, to ensure they apply to all current and future EU member states, as well as to any other state with whom the EU may wish to undertake agreements in this regard.
For yderligere oplysninger:
Pressechef Stig Nielsen, Amnesty International, tlf. 33 11 75 41