Arabic News, June 17, 2003
http://www.arabicnews.com/
The US Department Of State announced yesterday that other five countries approved to exempt American soldiers from being subject to the International Criminal Court. This came in the day when this court’s power came to effect with the appointment of its first attorney general in his post of office yesterday.
U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS |
| Information about U.S. human rights violations and related issues is included in Religion News Blog for the following reasons: Apologetics Index deals with cults, sects, and related issues – including religious freedom and other human rights. America’s goverment frequently accuses countries (including, for example, France and Germany) that protect their citizens against destructive and/or fraudulent cults of violating ‘human rights.’ In addition, the USA even threathens those countries with economic boycotts should they not accept America’s views on these issues. This makes the USA the only country in the world that attempts to strong-arm other countries into accepting its views on the cults it supports – a primary reason why this issue is addressed by the publishers of Apologetics Index. Ironically, while America chides other countries for alleged human righs violations, Washington consistently and deliberately refuses to address America’s dismal record of human rights violations. The Bible condemns the use of such differing measures. As Christians, the publishers of Apologetic Index believe that they (and other Christians) should address human rights issues. The publishers of Apologetics Index agree with those who believe that America’s attitude toward international law – including its fight against the International Criminal Court, its use of torture, and its inconsistent application of the Geneva Conventions – presents a serious threat to the international community. As members of Amnesty International, the publishers of Apologetics Index are outspoken critics of America’s manifold human rights violations. They encourage their fellow Christians to address these issues, keeping in mind the Bible’s two great commandments. |
 |
Among the countries which signed a bilateral exemption with Washington are two states. They are Egypt and Tunisia in addition to Mongolia, Nicaragua and Seashell islands.
A document by the US Department Of State said yesterday said that these countries signed the agreements with Washington asking to keep the agreement in secret.
The US Department Of State said last week that several countries which signed the agreements asked not to disclose their names.
Sources at the US Congress said that sources in the Congress notified it concerning the agreement with Egypt which was signed on March 5th.
With these agreements, the number of governments which excluded the Americans from being subject to trial before the International Criminal Court reached 43.
The first attorney general of the International Criminal Court, Louis Morino Okambo, yesterday assumed his post in the Hague, inaugurating thereby the task of the court which considers among its task the protection of human rights violations in the world and deterring war crimes.
As the recent Security Council meeting which extended immunity for United Nations peacekeepers from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Secretary-General Kofi Annan voiced concern that it might become an annual routine that could undermine the tribunal’s and the CouncilÕs authority, as well as the legitimacy of UN peace operations. France, Germany and Syria refused to join in the vote.
The United States is trying to work with its friends “to find practical solutions” to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue “and preserve everyone’s interests,” State Department Deputy Spokesman Philip T. Reeker said during the daily briefing June 10.
Reeker was responding to a question about a newspaper report that said the United States had warned the European Union not to interfere with its negotiations with other countries on bilateral Article 98 agreements, which aim to ensure that Americans are not brought before the ICC.
“We have been very clear with Europeans and others all around the world that we are not trying to sabotage the ICC,” Reeker said.