War in Iraq Violates International Law

[RedEarth]

War in Iraq Violates International Law
By Tom Krebsbach

More than two grueling years have passed since U.S. and coalition forces stormed into the sovereign nation of Iraq. Still there has been little discussion in this country about the legal standing of the invasion.

Perhaps that is because most Americans are reluctant to admit this inconvenient but certain fact: The United States/United Kingdom invasion of Iraq in 2003 was a war of aggression, a crime against the peace as defined by the Nuremberg Principles.

Various legal experts employed by the coalition governments will dispute this. But their arguments are incredibly weak and are not taken seriously by an overwhelming majority of scholars of international law in the world. These independent legal scholars, such people as Sean Murphy of George Washington University, Mary Ellen O'Connell of Ohio State University and Philippe Sands of University College London, all hold that the invasion was a blatant violation of international law.

There are only two cases in which a nation or group of nations can legally undertake armed intervention against another nation: in self-defense against an armed attack or if the United Nations Security Council authorizes a coalition of nations to intervene militarily to maintain peace and security in the world.

Contrary to what the Bush administration would like the world to believe, the invasion of Iraq can be justified neither on the basis of self-defense nor because it was sanctioned by the Security Council.

These are the facts that outline the legal status of the war:


http://www.commondreams.org/cgi-bin/print.cgi?file=/views05/0715-07.htm

[leveymg]

1. If only Fitz could add this to the indictment.

But, I'm afraid, that's outside his writ. Maybe, later. Maybe.

[Demeter]

2. We Were Yelling This Even Before the War

Nobody paid attention then, and they still don't now. What's it going to take, to wake the conscience of the American people?

[ixion]

3. exactly.

Millions of us have been saying this, and people pretend like if they just wave the flag and invoke Jeebus that everything will be a-okay, and that is simply not the case. We've fallen far in the eyes of the world, and I think that realization is going to be a rude awakening for most.

[classysassy]

5. Conscience

most Americans are void of conscience.

[Karenina]

4. Say it LOUD!

ILLEGAL INVASION!!! Nominated.

[kenny blankenship]

6. It's up to Democrats in Congress to pick up the ball

and make it plain that the Plame investigation has necessitated one with a larger scope. The plot against Plame and Joe Wilson as sinister as it is, was merely a coverup for MUCH LARGER crimes of state being committed which continued and continue to this day.

[MadisonProgressive]

7. I knew that years ago!

[WhiteTara]

8. when do we get to send the criminals

Hague? I volunteer for the being on the firing squad and I don't even own a gun!

[klyon]

9. Firing Squad? Um, that does seem appropriate to me.

I would like to see justice. True justice for all crimes committed by this gang of hoodlums.

Funny the Brits seem to be rounding up suspects already. How many have we got in locked-up since 9-11? Anthrax solved?

KL

[WhiteTara]

10. actually we have thousands in lock up

unfortunately they are mostly the wrong ones! But I think the noose is tightening on the bastards that have stolen our country.