The vote for the Interpretative Bill in the Senate is the fruit of a broad-based and energetic campaign launched by a coalition of non-governmental organisations, among them Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Federation Internationale des Droits de l'Homme and Avocats sans Frontieres. This campaign aimed at preserving and strengthening the effectiveness of Universal Jurisdiction to counter the continued impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of the most heinous crimes. The campaign, and yesterday's vote in favour of the Interpretative Bill, express and confirm the Belgian public's support for our contention throughout the various stages of the case lodged against Ariel Sharon, Amos Yaron, and other Israelis and Lebanese that "the accused need not be on Belgian soil" for prosecution to proceed.
Our clients, survivors of the 1982 massacre at Sabra and Shatila, welcome the adoption of the Interpretative Bill by the Senate Justice Commission, which confirms our argument that, in its ruling of 26 June 2002, the Brussels Court of Appeals unduly constrained the will of the Parliament and contradicted the IV Geneva Conventions.
Our clients, survivors of the 1982 massacre at Sabra and Shatila, welcome the adoption of the Interpretative Bill by the Senate Justice Commission, which confirms our argument that, in its ruling of 26 June 2002, the Brussels Court of Appeals unduly constrained the will of the Parliament and contradicted the IV Geneva Conventions.