We should also recall the achievements of the case to date: new questions
have been raised, notably about the contribution of the Israeli command on
the ground and its large-scale participation in the hundreds of "disappeared". These new facts need to be fully investigated. In terms of the larger human rights battle for accountability, all the major human rights organisations have supported the search for justice by the victims. Hope across the world for ending impunity has risen at a time of continued and increased violence in the region. Today, the Palestinian people lack effective courts of law and have no means to defend and vindicate their rights. The absence of judicial recourse cannot continue.
We should also recall that Mr Sharon and his main aide, Mr Yaron have been
charged twice ('mis en cause') by the prosecution in Belgium: the first
time in the first instance for war crimes, the second time by the Attorney-General for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This is a historic benchmark for the search of justice for the victims of the Sabra and Shatila massacres in a neutral forum of law.
The efforts to end impunity will not cease. We will consider the appeals
allowed to our clients under Belgian law in the light of a closer study of the decision today. The road for justice ahead is still long.
Beirut and Brussels, 26 June 2002
Chibli Mallat, Michael Verhaeghe, Luc Walleyn
have been raised, notably about the contribution of the Israeli command on
the ground and its large-scale participation in the hundreds of "disappeared". These new facts need to be fully investigated. In terms of the larger human rights battle for accountability, all the major human rights organisations have supported the search for justice by the victims. Hope across the world for ending impunity has risen at a time of continued and increased violence in the region. Today, the Palestinian people lack effective courts of law and have no means to defend and vindicate their rights. The absence of judicial recourse cannot continue.
We should also recall that Mr Sharon and his main aide, Mr Yaron have been
charged twice ('mis en cause') by the prosecution in Belgium: the first
time in the first instance for war crimes, the second time by the Attorney-General for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This is a historic benchmark for the search of justice for the victims of the Sabra and Shatila massacres in a neutral forum of law.
The efforts to end impunity will not cease. We will consider the appeals
allowed to our clients under Belgian law in the light of a closer study of the decision today. The road for justice ahead is still long.
Beirut and Brussels, 26 June 2002
Chibli Mallat, Michael Verhaeghe, Luc Walleyn