[Media-watch] UK 'war crimes' claims examined in The Hague - Independent - 19/12/2004

[Julie-ann Davies]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=594580


UK 'war crimes' claims examined in The Hague
By Severin Carrell
19 December 2004


Claims that the UK has committed war crimes against Iraqi civilians are 
being examined by the International Criminal Court after complaints by a 
panel of legal experts.

In a letter seen by The Independent on Sunday, the chief prosecutor of the 
ICC in The Hague has described the war crimes allegations as "one of the 
most significant" cases he has seen, and were being given "deserved weight" 
by his investigators.

Luis Moreno Ocampo, the chief prosecutor, indicated that his office has now 
begun the formal process of gathering evidence about the claims and is now 
expected to ask the Government to explain its military strategy in Iraq.

Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesman, said 
the move would cause "profound concern" for the Government. Adam Price, the 
Plaid Cymru MP and one of the most prominent critics of the war, added: 
"This is a highly significant development."

The allegations against the Government were submitted earlier this year by a 
lawyers' group called PeaceRights, based at the University of Warwick, in a 
dossier written by a panel of eight leading experts in international law.

The panel alleged that Britain had illegally used cluster bombs in civilian 
areas and illegally targeted power stations, depriving civilians and 
hospitals of water supplies and electricity. They also allege that British 
use of depleted uranium armour-piercing shells was negligent.

Sir Menzies said the decision to study the allegations was particularly 
worrying for Tony Blair's government because the UK had been one of the main 
driving forces behind setting up the ICC. "The UK's conduct of warfare will 
now be open to acute review, and British conduct and policy will be judged 
by higher standards than ever before," he said.