THIS WEEK'S TRIBUNE  THIS WEEK'S TRIBUNE Activists, lawyers, MPs prepare application to UN Security Council for severe sanctions against Iran
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Activists, lawyers, MPs prepare application to UN Security Council for severe sanctions against Iran |
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Written by Julie Lesser
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Saturday, 02 August 2008 |
MONTREAL – Back in Canada after a recent visit to the Middle East, Liberal MP Irwin Cotler described Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as an active participant in crimes against humanity who has been given free reign to continue massive human rights violations by the international community-at-large.
“Why has there been no petition to ask the United Nations to implement a wide spectrum of sanctions?” Cotler asked. “We must ask the Security Council to hold Iran accountable to the International Court for its actions.”
Cotler, working with a group of international human rights activists, lawyers and parliamentarians – including David Matas, senior legal counsel of B’nai Brith Canada – has prepared an application to the Security Council for severe sanctions against Iran, a state party to the Genocide Convention. They seek the arrest of Ahmadinejad for crimes against humanity, economic embargos and retributions against financial institutions that provide funds for atomic weapons.
“I find it surprising that countries don’t know how to remedy this,” said Cotler. “Most leaders and their advisors don’t know that they can petition the United Nations. We will make it easy for them. We will unveil a model of an inter-state complaint, the draft of which will be circulated by the beginning of September to each prospective signatory.”
Cotler is adamantly opposed to the prospect of Ahmadinejad addressing the United Nations in September. He feels he should be placed on a Watch List and calls upon the United States to refuse him entry. He added that some counties may feel they have no choice but to allow international leaders to speak to the General Assembly, but Ahmadinejad should instead be declared an Inadmissible Person.
Democratic Presidential candidate Barak Obama was in the Middle East the same time as Cotler. Cotler was profoundly disturbed by Obama’s comments regarding possible peace talks with Iran. In a country where Jews and Israel are referred to as filthy corpses, bacteria and cattle, and where proudly displayed public banners encourage wiping Israel off the map, negotiations should not be an option, Cotler asserted.
While in Israel, Cotler attended shivas for fallen Israeli soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. He was shocked that the day their bodies were returned to Israel was a day of massive celebration for Palestinians. He noted that vehement hatred is encouraged by the Palestinian school system, academics and runs rampant in the media.
“Hate breeds hate,” said Cotler. “Palestinian leadership is not prepared to recognize the legitimacy of the Jewish state. This culture of incitement is the greatest threat to a just and lasting peace.” |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 12 August 2008 )
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