Amnesty international and Libya 23 June 2010

..Libya: 'Libya of tomorrow': What hope for human rights
Libya: 'Libya of tomorrow': What hope for human rights
Categories: Libya


In a few short years, Libya has transformed itself from a pariah state to an active member of the international community. In sharp contrast, the pace of reform at domestic levels has been slow. The Libyan authorities have not kept their promises to address the legacy of past human rights violations and to introduce safeguards to prevent them recurring. Serious human rights violations continue. Victims of human rights abuses have little hope of judicial protection and redress, while those responsible for torture, unlawful killings etc enjoy total impunity.


Download: PDFIndex Number: MDE 19/007/2010
Date Published: 23 June 2010

In support of the families of Abu salim Massacre 2/10/2010, Manchester Piccadilly Gardens

Quiz for Irish Ship to Gaza

Pub Quiz for Irish Ship to Gaza
Pub Quiz for Irish Ship to Gaza
23 September · 21:00 - 23:30
The Lower Deck Pub
Portebello, Rathmines
Dublin

Act for Palestine have organized a pub quiz to raise funds for the Irish Ship to Gaza, part of the upcoming Freedom Flotilla 2, planning to break the siege of Gaza.

€10/€5 per person(waged/unwaged)

Thank you

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Open Letter to the President of the Fifteenth Session Of the UN Human Rights Council

allibyah@yahoo.com


Open Letter to the President of the Fifteenth Session
Of the UN Human Rights Council
(Geneva 13 September- 1st October 2010)
20 September 2010
Excellency,

Subject: Libya in the Human Rights Council

Libya took its seat as member of the Human Rights Council on 13th September 2010, the first day of the council’s 15th session. The new member has also been a member of the International Covenant on Civic and Political Rights since 15 May 1970. Article 22 of the Covenant prescribes in particular that:

“Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests »

The Law in Libya (Law 71 0f 1972), the new member of the Council, prescribes :

“Article 3: Anyone who advocates the establishment of, or who founds, organizes, manages, funds or provides premises for the meetings of, any grouping, organization or faction prohibited under the terms of this Act shall be liable to the death penalty. The same penalty shall also apply to anyone who becomes a member thereof or in any way incites others to do so or who provides it with any assistance or in any way receives or obtains, directly or indirectly, money or benefits of any type from any person or body with a view to establishing or making preparations for the establishment of the prohibited grouping or organization. No distinction shall be made in regard to the severity of the penalty between a superior and an inferior, regardless of their rank in the party, grouping, organization, faction, section, cell or the like” end quote.

Considering that no political party, except for Colonel Kaddafi’s Party; the Revolutionary Committee Party; has been established in Libya during the last 41 years and ..

Considering that no election at all and at any level, national, regional or local, has been organized during the last 41 years

Can the council tell the Libyan people through an official Council Resolution that they (the Libyans) also have the rights to exercise and enjoy the rights to freedom of association as prescribed by article 22 of the ICCPR as well as by article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Can the Council demand the organization of general free and fair elections within a maximum period of one year to allow the Libyans to exercise their right to freely choose their Government as prescribed by article 25 of the Covenant and article 21 of the Universal Declaration which all Council members shall scrupulously respect and adhere to at all time in order to maintain and preserve their Council membership seat?

in support of the families of Abusalim Massacre demonstration in Dublin Ireland 18th Sep 2010

Subject: Amnesty report MDE 19/07/2010; ‛Libya of Tomorrow‛ What

allibyah@yahoo.com

31 August 2010




Dear Mr. Shetty,

1. The Libyan League for Human rights would like first to convey its thanks and appreciations to Amnesty International for all the pioneer work it has done on the continuing precarious human rights situation in Libya. Amnesty latest report: “Libya of Tomorrow”, what hope for human rights?, is a living example of an outstanding report that, undoubtedly, necessitated very serious efforts, highly motivated research, and extensive discussions. This report is, probably the first document ever that comes closest to the actual hard and crude reality of human rights in Libya. It unveils the ins and outs of a tyrannical system that leaves practically no margin, whatever narrow maybe, to the enjoyment of human rights and the dignity of the person.

2. The Report discussed almost all topics of importance to respect of Human rights and enumerated, in great details, the flagrant violations in terms of law and of practice. From the flaws of the administration of justice to unfair trial, to arbitrary arrest and detention, to the widespread use of torture, to the massacre of Abusleem, to enforced disappearance, to physical liquidation of political opponents to refugees etc. the report went in great length to discuss these topics in a concise, objective and neutral endeavor. Practical recommendations were made separately for every topic to which the LLHR doubts that the present Government would give any serious consideration. The Libyan Government is, indeed, known for its utmost contempt to human rights and is simply not able to govern in an institutional environment respectful of human rights principles and laws. Libya is a real case of an outlawed government when it comes to respect of Human Rights.

Mr. Secretary General
3. The lamentable human rights situation in Libya as described by Amnesty excellent report is the result of a tyrannical political “system” that refuses reforms or changes. The real human rights problem in Libya lies in that system which is clearly incompatible with respect of basic principles of

Mr. Salil Shetty
Secretary General
Amnesty International, 1 Easton Street,
London WC1X 0DW Page 1/6
Human Rights as well as those of a government of law. The system is not made to govern and cannot govern as it stands without resorting to arbitrariness and tyranny. Large scale human rights violations will continue as long as the present political system is not extensively reformed or removed altogether. Its mere existence is a flagrant permanent violation of Human Rights as it refuses to recognize, in law and practice the will of the people as the basis of the authority of government” and that “this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote” (article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights). In Libya the “will” of Colonel Qaddhafi is the only one that counts while the “will” of the people has no influence on the conduct of public affairs. It has never been even tested under the Governments of Colonel Qaddhafi, who has ruled Libya for the last forty one years, as no election at all and at any level, local, regional or national, fair or unfair, has been organized during that period. Not even a referendum on any subject or topic, on Colonel Qaddhafi’s seizure of power for example, has been allowed to take place. It is truly a case of usurpation of power.
4. A central part of the system is an extraordinary propaganda machine sustained by a never-ending stream of cash flow capable of camouflaging, at least temporarily, the most palpable truth. Even Tony Blair, the former British prime minister of the UK, the oldest modern democracy, could not stand the seduction of that machine. He seems to have been totally induced to its “beneficence”. The system is based on confusion and total lack of transparency as it is made “sur mesure”, for Colonel Qaddhafi who has ruled the country, on a pattern of an absolute monarch, for the last 41 years, without allowing the expression of any critics, let alone organized opposition.

5. The power structure evolving from that system continues and will continue to present the main obstacle to any reform respectful of human rights and of the dignity of the person. Any attempt to answer the important question Amnesty report put forward : “Libya of Tomorrow”, what hope for human right?, must necessary pass though a thorough discussion of the power structure that will, in our view, stand as an insurmountable obstacle to respect of human rights in Libya. The following paragraphs will attempt to shed light on the power structure and its direct relations to the permanent violations of basic human rights in Libya.

6. Libya has been ruled, over the past 41 years, by the non-elected Government of Colonel Qaddhafi, who abolished the Constitution (first act as a Ruler), on 1st September 1969. Ever since, the country has taken a totalitarian path that imposes severe constraints on the enjoyment of basic human rights. Libya still has no constitution, no parliament and not a single elected institution. There is no separation of powers or judicial guarantees. The country is governed by a “unique” armed militia movement, “the Revolutionary Committee Movement” that purposely confuses the interests of the Militia with those of the state and the organs of the Militia with the institutions of the State. The State is the Militia and the Militia is Colonel Qaddhafi: "L’ Etat c’est moi” (King Louis IV). The system, called “Jamahiria” is structured so as to concentrate enormous power in extremely few hands with all powers ultimately situated in the person of President Qaddhafi. The politico-legal structure is such that all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, are tightly held by Colonel Qaddhafi who is neither elected nor accountable to the public nor to any other Libyan institution.

7. The “Jamahiria” system rejects the very principle of elections, repudiates the principle of parliamentarian representation and condemns pluralism, including free press and free thought. There is no parliament in Libya and no elected legislative power of any kind. Political parties, independent trade unions and independent NGOs are banned in law and practice (Law No 71 of the 1972). The so-called "People's General Congress" (PGC), usually assumed erroneously to be a legislative body, has nothing to do with a Parliament as its members are neither elected nor have the power to make law. The power to suspend, to try or dismiss the President inherent to the control functions of parliaments does not exist in Libya and there is no immunity either for anyone except for Colonel Qaddhafi who has the power to disband the PGC, dismiss some or all of its members. The former Chairman of the PGC who also assume the traditional legal functions of Chief of State (protocol), Mohamed Znati and his deputy Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim were dismissed by Colonel Qaddhafi on live TV as they were preparing to take their seats to preside over a new session of the PGC. A new Chairman ( Muftaf kueba) was appointed instantly, always on live TV, by Colonel Qaddhafi without any consultation with anyone and without any verbal or written justification. He also decided, instantly, that there is no need for the Post of the Deputy to the Chairman which he abolished instantly. The dismissal show was aired live on libya’s TV on 2 March 2008 on the opening session of the GPC. The state budget is decided on by Colonel Qaddhafi and not by the PGC whose members are not even briefed on all its chapters as the Defense and Security budgets (top State secrets) are known to no one but Colonel Qaddhafi and his immediate entourage. Expenditures from these budgets (defense & security) are left to the sole discretion of Colonel Qaddhafi who is accountable to no one.

8. There is no vote in PGC, which has all the characteristics of a Central Committee of a totalitarian political party. The "Politburo" of totalitarian party is purposely confused in Libya with the "Secretariat of the PGC”, directly appointed by Colonel Qaddhafi, which enjoys uncontrolled and unlimited powers. Colonel Qaddhafi''s instructions are usually communicated to the “Government” through this Secretariat which has the power to overrule any governmental decision. Similarly the so-called "basic people's congresses" (BPC) are nothing but the basic chapters or sections (cells) of traditional totalitarian parties. They are all (about 550 BPCs/Cells throughout Libya) coached, guided, and supervised by the members of the Armed Militia Movement, “the Revolutionary Committees Movement”, to make sure that no “deviation” from the instructions of Colonel Qaddhafi (the Leader) takes place. The supervisory functions become crucial during the annual BPCs (cells) meetings (usually 2-4 days) where each of the estimated 550 BPC discuss separately an Agenda prepared, (always from top to bottom) by the Secretariat of PGC ( the most powerful organ) and on whose items all BPCs should come up with almost identical positions on pre-set recommendations. The Militia’s other function at the BPC level is to select and clear, through a sophisticated security system, new members to the Bureau of the different BPCs. This function is very important as only "genuine revolutionaries" (pure et dure) are supposed to rise to membership position (leaders) of the Bureau. (remember no one is elected in Libya).

9. These three organs; the PGC, the Secretariat of PGC and BPCs, none of which is directly or indirectly elected, form the jamahiria system. They are all appointed, from top to bottom, by the Revolutionary Committees Movement (armed Militia) through an elaborated security system. The leader of this system is colonel Qaddhafi who is a life self-appointed Ruler of the State and a self-proclaimed Leader for life of the “Revolutionary Committee Movement”. The only noticeable difference between the organs of traditional totalitarian political parties and the “Jamahiria” System of Libya is the fact that no one in the latter, at any level, is elected while the principle of election has never been put into question, even by the most notorious dictators of totalitarian political parties such as Nicolae Ceauşescu for example, General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party. In Libya, the Government seized, under the pretense that it is the protector of the people, the rights of the citizens in making the decision on who will govern them or how they will be governed.

10. The Core of the ever recurrent human rights violations in Libya lies in the above described system which is a total negation of democratic principles and which cannot function but through committing gross abuses that constitute serious human rights violations. Colonel Qaddhafi has used this system for the last four decades to rule Libya in a private business fashion, through three circles: his own (extended) family, his tribe and the “Revolutionary Committees Movement”, none of which has a legal state function. They all perform vital missions to the continuation of the regime as they are entrusted with everything that has security or financial implications, including the oil sector, the armed forces, the security apparatus, the Central Bank of Libya, the Budget etc. They are accountable directly to Colonel Qaddhafi and to no one else, not even to justice and Courts. Because of the absolute and personal power wielded by Colonel Qaddhafi, his close family members, especially his children and cousins have been placed in position of power with their family links being more important than any formal status. The members of this special category enjoy unlimited power and are usually unknown to the public either inside Libya or outside the country. They enjoy full state protection and immunity. Their verbal or written orders, legal or illegal, have the force of law. Only Colonel Qaddhafi is in a position to overrule their instructions.

11. The political-legal structure of the system confers tyrannical powers to Colonel Qaddhafi who has the power to interfere with everything, including the administration of justice by obstructing the work of the courts or by simply changing their judgements. He can also bypass the official judicial system by establishing special, field or emergency courts, the judgments of which he may alter or annul. The independence of the judiciary is only theoretical which, in turn, means that there can be no legal safeguards available for the citizens. The justice system is totally subordinated to the interest and the security of the ruling elites and the continuation of the Jamahiria totalitarian system. Anything, even illegal matters such as corruption and blunt serious violations of human rights, that strengthens the system is seen as legal and its perpetrators are usually immune from any judicial suits. They enjoy full and complete immunity regardless of the magnitude of the crime. The perpetrators of Abusleem prison massacre (1200 prisoners were shot dead in three hours) are not only free, but they still occupy key ”Positions” that guarantee their impunity. On the other hand, prisoners who were funnd “not guilty” by courts of law and others who have completed their prison terms have been denied freedom. They continue to lay illegally in prison, despite the injunctions of the court to set them free, simply because they are suspected to still hold opinions different from those of Colonel Qaddhafi

12. Freedom of opinion, expression, association and assembly do not exist in Libya. The total suppression of these freedoms is at the core of the situation of human rights. That is, there is an absence of respect of human dignity of the population as a whole in so far as the political system accepts no dissent. It requires that thought, expression and behavior conform to the tenets of Colonel Qaddhafi and the whims of the Revolutionary Committee Movement. Through the construction of a web of informers including, extended family, community leaders and "arrivistes", and the existence of a security apparatus, which may intrude into the most private affairs of the individual, it is difficult to speak of the enjoyment of any freedom in Libya. The violations of the basic rights of the citizens are reflected in almost every independent human rights report. For instance Reporters without borders ranked Libya among the last 10 countries (129th out of 139) with the worst record for the freedom of the press. Likewise President Qaddhafi has been denounced by the same organization as a”predator of Press freedom”. As to the enjoyment of civic and political rights, Freedom House, an institution that issues yearly index (Free, Partly Free, Not Free) of freedom in the world, gave Libya a full mark of 7, 7 as a country that is “not free” where the citizens enjoy no civic or political rights at all. As to the economic freedom, Libya ranked 151th out of 156 countries in the index of economic freedom issued by Heritage Foundation.


Mr. Secretary General

13. While the responsibility for the continuing pattern of systematic human rights violations in Libya fully lies on its Government, nevertheless the international community, including the EU is not totally innocent. Libya's strategic position as a transit countries for African immigrants and refugees seeking to cross to Europe and the Libyan Government’s use of that file (very sensitive in Mediterranean European countries) as a political tool in its negotiation with the EU coupled with Libya’s vast oil reserves has led Governments and Business in Europe and North America to subordinate human rights to immigration, economic and strategic interests. The Lockerbie deal also had a negative impact on the Human Rights situation in Libya as the major two actors, the US and the UK, seem to have preferred dealing with a non-elected internationally weak Libyan Government, Colonel Qaddhafi’s Government, to dictate their financial conditions for closing the Lockerbie case, rather than taking the risk of pushing for a democratically elected strong Libyan Government that may refuse to pay anything to anybody as only Mr. Almegrahi, not the Government of Libya, was officially convicted of the Pan Am flight 103 crime!. Thus the issue of the Lockerbie crime (a crime against humanity in terms of International Law), which was supposed to erode or at least to weaken domestically Colonel Qaddhafi’s absolute power and to depress his grips on human rights has become, thanks to Libya’s diplomatic manipulations assisted by its oil and trade partners, especially oil companies, a source of consolidation of his power and a tool to ensure the continuation of “ business as usual”.

14. The “largess” of the authorities in Libya towards their foreign partners, that is to say the “Largeness” of the very authorities that perpetrate gross violations of human rights, including crimes against humanity, with the cash and mineral resources of the Libyan people that is to say of those whose human rights are permanently violated has been so far self-rewarding for the Libyan Government. A score of financially induced active and retired “international personalities”, seems to benefit from it on tacit understanding that their responsibility and role is to lobby for and defend the Libyan government’s interests in all fields, including and in particular, in the field of human rights where assistance from those personalities is really needed given the scale and the magnitude of human rights violations in Libya. One of the retirees is Tony Blair, UK former prime Minister, who is said to have accepted a highly paid post, specially created for him, of special adviser to Colonel Qaddhafi. While Mr. Blair will be paid in “Libyan cash”, it seems that BP’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward, an active international personality, also seduced by the generosity of the Libyan authorities, seems to have accepted in 2007 that BP be paid in nature for its lobbying services with the British Government in the file of the Lockerbie crime and the release of Abdelbasit Al-Megrahi, the only person convicted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people. BP was awarded by Libya in May 2007 an exploration and Production Agreement to explore offshore in Libya’s Sirt basin and onshore in the Ghadames basin covering an exploration area of around 54,000 square kilometers. The award represents the largest single exploration award in BP’s 100-year history. The same month, that is to say in May 2007, Britain and Libya signed a memorandum of understanding on Prisoner Transfer (Britain has NO prisoner in Libya!) that paved the way for Al-Megrahi's release from a Scottish prison.

15. It must be clear that the LLHR is not against the release of Mr. Al-Megrahi whom we believe is a victim and a scapegoat. The concept and the setting up of the Camp Zeist trial was more of a pre-arranged “political court” than a real court of fair justice concerned only with the truth and nothing but the truth about Lockerbie crime. We believe that the trial gave the world a pseudo culpable while the real intriguers of that and other crimes are still free and continue to do business as usual. What the LLHR is opposed to is Impunity. We deeply believe that perpetrators of human rights violations whatever their position, nationality, gender or belief must be brought to justice and be held fully accountable for their crimes. We consider that the practice and expectation of impunity for violations of human rights are among the fundamental obstacles to the observance and promotion of human rights in Libya. We also consider that accountability of perpetrators for human rights violations, including their accomplices, is one of the central elements of any effective remedy for promotion and implementation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Libya. It is a key factor in ensuring a fair and equitable justice system and, ultimately, reconciliation and stability within the country.

16. We were expecting, in this context, that Mr. Blair uses the prestige of his former office (PM) for good causes such as pushing for respect of human rights and combating impunity in Libya and everywhere in the world, not advising on the way and means of strengthening impunity in Libya. We believe that Mr. Blair’s behavior and that of other international personalities such as prime minister Berlusconi, is unethical at best as it contributes directly or indirectly to consolidate a government that, not only continues to violate, at will, the basic human rights of its citizens, hut also considers that violating those rights is an intrinsic part of its governmental prerogatives as reflected in the unlimited discretionary power it enjoys and also in the total absence of accountability it secured. There is no doubt that the new “recruit” has complicated the work of Libyan Human rights defenders, especially in the field of combating impunity, as they have to face in their day to day work not only a consolidated system of “government by corruption”, but also a concerted propaganda from columns of foreign accomplices (mercenaries) , a la Blair, on Libya’ s direct or indirect PAYROLL; including multinational oil companies and other corporate with flourishing business in Libya. This situation represents a real case of illegal interference and unethical intrusion (that doesn’t say its name) in Libya’s domestic affairs that may, we are afraid, fuel extremism, intolerance and more human rights violations.

Mr. Secretary General,

17. As the United Nations Human Rights Council has confirmed, businesses have a responsibility to respect internationally recognized human rights principles, including those rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its associated covenants (the International Bill of Human Rights) and the international agreements inspired by them. We believe these are inherent rights to all humans that steam simply from the fact that they are human and should therefore be respected by all. We have observed with regret that foreign corporations, especially oil companies do not observe those principles as they have participated and even encouraged, in many cases, corruption and bribery, the widespread of which has been a major obstacle to political and economic reforms, accountability, transparency and good governance in Libya. They participated, for instance, in the sellout of the natural resources of the country through securing illegally (no transparent bidding) highly profitable oil exploration and production agreements for their lobbying services in UK and US related, in general, to condoning serious violations of Human rights in Libya. BP’s lobbying for the release of Mr. Al-Megrahi is a case in point. Another case is the intensive lobbying with the US congress undertaken by major oil companies, including ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil, Amerada Hess, Occidental, ExxonMobil and Chevron, which intervened in several occasions with members of the congress (Senators and Representatives) with the view of persuading them of the necessity to overlook the state of human rights in Libya when discussing and passing legislation on the US-Libyan relations. Their main argument is that human rights are a very sensitive issue in Libya and any reference into it “would only hurt oil interests for US companies". The collusion of the US and other oil companies with the Libyan perpetrators of human rights violations, the Libyan Government, and their indifference vis a vis the victims of human rights, including the 1200 victims of the Abusleem prison massacre, put these companies in a position of virtual accomplices to the Government in its violations of international human rights laws.

Mr. Secretary General

18. We would like again to thank Amnesty for its efforts and work to bring the state of Human rights in Libya to the attention of the international community. The Libyan situation requires, indeed, a permanent scrutiny mechanism as the Government issues no verbal or written information on its human rights policy or violations, which are subject to no judicial or any legal review. It took the Libyan Government no less than thirteen years to inform the parents of those whom it killed in June 1996 in Abusleem prison (1200 persons) of the death of their progeny without specifying either the date or the cause of death. The LLHR is convinced that had not been for the vigilance of Amnesty and other Human rights NGOs, the Libyan situation would have been much worse, although it is difficult to imagine a more exacerbated human rights situation than the one prevailing in Libya today. We therefore take this opportunity to urge you to continue your much appreciated vigilance and to broaden it to engulf eventually the compatibility of the Libyan imposed political system with the International Bill of Human Rights as well as the violations of human rights generated by Impunity and Corruption which have been strengthened lately by the intervention in Libya’s domestic affairs of “imminent personalities”, including Mr Blair and columns of business companies, including oil companies.

Thank you again for all the good work you have done to advocate respect of human rights and the rule of law in Libya.

Sliman Bouchuiguir (Ph-D)
Secretary General

ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT TO HOLD MAJOR DEMONSTRATION AGAINST WAR CRIMINAL BLAIR

ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT TO HOLD MAJOR DEMONSTRATION AGAINST WAR CRIMINAL BLAIR DURING FORTHCOMING DUBLIN VIST
IRISH ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT

Press Release – August 21st

ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT TO HOLD MAJOR DEMONSTRATION AGAINST WAR CRIMINAL BLAIR DURING FORTHCOMING DUBLIN VIST

In a statement the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) has announced plans to hold a major demonstration to protest during the planned visit to Dublin of former British Prime minister, Tony Blair on September 3rd/4th.

The demonstration will coincide with the book launch and signing event for Mr Blair’s soon to be published autobiography, due to take place in Eason’s on O’ Connell St in Dublin on Saturday September 4th.

The protest will assemble at 11.30am at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square, before marching to Eason’s where the book signing will be taking place.

The IAWM protest will focus on Tony Blair’s key role in launching the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and devastated both countries.

The protest will also focus on Blair’s effective complicity - both as Prime Minister and now as EU envoy to the Middle East - with the war crimes and human rights abuses committed by Israel against the Palestinians.

The protest will also seek to highlight the continued complicity of the Irish government with the wars launched by former US president George Bush and Mr Blair – in allowing US troops to use Shannon airport on route to participate in those wars, and through the direct involvement of a small number of Irish troops in the Afghan conflict.

Over the coming days, the IAWM will undertake a major national mobilisation for the demonstration and will be contacting and seeking the support of the widest possible range of political and civil society groups for the protest.

Richard Boyd Barrett, chairperson of the IAWM said:

“By any reasonable standard, Tony Blair is a war criminal. He played a key role in fabricating the lies and bogus justifications for an illegal and murderous war in Iraq and the equally immoral war in Afghanistan.

Credible estimates put the numbers of dead in Iraq as a result of the war launched by Blair and Bush at over a million. Millions more have been made refugees and the infrastructure of Iraqi society has been utterly devastated.

In Afghanistan, tens of thousands have died and the body count continues to rise daily as result of the war and occupation spearheaded by the US and UK, under Bush and Blair, and now continued by Barack Obama and David Cameron.

By every objective humanitarian criterion, life for the Afghan people is worse now than it was before Blair and Bush launched their brutal war.

While Blair has justified his murderous military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan with bogus talk of fighting “terrorism” and spreading “democracy,” he has done absolutely nothing to restrain or sanction Israel for its deliberate murder of thousands of Palestinians and systematic denial of their most elementary human and civil rights.

Worse than that - both as Prime Minister and now as EU envoy - Blair has given effective moral support to Israel in its criminal siege of Gaza by refusing to recognise the democratically elected representatives of the Palestinian people. The refusal of the major western powers, including Britain and the EU, to recognise the outcome of democratic elections in Palestine, gave the green light to Israel to besiege and assault Gaza in the name of fighting “terrorism.”

The idea of Tony Blair celebrating or justifying his war crimes in a book and generating money from it, regardless of where that money goes, is nauseating in the extreme. It is blood money pure and simple, and Blair’s agenda in writing this book is a purely cynical manoeuvre to whitewash responsibility for war crimes and mass murder. The only book of Tony Blair’s that those opposed to war should look forward to is his prison memoirs.

In 2003, 100,000 people came onto the streets to oppose Blair and Bush’s war. They have been utterly vindicated in their opposition to that war. We hope that many of those people will once again come onto the streets on 4th September to express their outrage at what Blair has done and the terrible suffering he has inflicted.

Crucially, this protest is not just about what has happened in the past but what is still going on now in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine, where people continue to die and suffer every day as a result of the policies initiated by Blair and Bush.

This protest therefore will also seek to, once again, demand that our government end its complicity with US/UK warmongering by ejecting US troops from Shannon, withdrawing Irish troops from Afghanistan and imposing sanctions on Israel for its inhuman treatment of the Palestinians.”

For more info/confirmation contact: Richard Boyd Barrett 086-7814520

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Petition against human rights violation in Gaza

This petition took place in front of Marks and Spencer Oxford St London every Thursday after noon.

Day School - Israel, Palestine

Sat 7th August - 12:30 Day School - Israel, Palestine and the Politics of the Middle East
Contents

1.THURSDAY 05 AUGUST (TODAY), 5.00-6.00PM, GPO, O CONNELL STREET IAWM STALL FOR PALESTINE
2.Saturday 7th August - 12:30 Day School - Israel, Palestine and the Politics of the Middle East - Central Hotel, Exchequer St, Dublin.
3.Attend Saturday's Day School On-Line.
4.MONDAY 9th AUGUST FROM 7.30AM PEACEFUL BLOCKADE OF ISRAELI EMBASSY, PEMBROKE ROAD, BALLSBRIDGE, DUBLIN 4.
5.Donating to the Irish Anti-War Movement
1.Donating through PayPal
2.Setup a Standing Order


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1. THURSDAY 05 AUGUST (TODAY), 5.00-6.00PM, GPO, O CONNELL STREET IAWM STALL FOR PALESTINE

Meet at GPO. For info please contact Marnie Holborrow, Tel: 087 988 9244 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 087 988 9244 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.



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2. Saturday 7th August - 12:30 Day School - Israel, Palestine and the Politics of the Middle East - Central Hotel, Exchequer St, Dublin.

See Leaflet for Details.

12:30 - 13:30 Israel and the Arab States

Anne Alexander (author of ‘Nasser - Life and Times’)
Attend On-Line (https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/947757993).

14:30 - 15:30 Expression workshop Zionism and apartheid

Sarah Wood (Facilitator)
Claudia Saba (Palestinian Activist)

16:00 - 17:30 Islam and resistance (Panel of Speakers)

Ahmed El Habash (Palestinian Rights Institute)
Michael Youlton (IAWM)
Anne Alexander (author of ‘Nasser - Life and Times’)
Francesco Cavorta (Author :Democratization in the Muslim World)
Attend On-Line (https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/401304888).

17:30 - 18:30 The Politics of Anti - Imperialism

Richard Boyd Barrett (Chair IAWM)
Fintan Lane (Participant on Gaza Flotilla)
Attend On-Line (https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/797972145).

For the first time in decades, many Palestinian organizations and activists see a reason for hope as their call to boycott Israel is gathering momentum.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign is modelled on the movement against South Africa’s apartheid system in the 1980s. It is a grassroots campaign called for by Palestinians themselves and doing what governments are failing to do – stand up to the apartheid state of Israel.

The BDS campaign aims to address the demands of not just the 4 million Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza, but also the more than 1 million Palestinian citizens of Israel and roughly 4 million Palestinians living in refugee camps throughout the Middle East.

In the weeks since the assault on the Gaza flotilla, the BDS movement has seen huge steps forward: 1,500 dockworkers at ports across Sweden refused to handle cargo to and from Israel, and a few days later, 1,000 activists set up a picket line at the Port of Oakland that was honoured by dockworkers, preventing an Israeli ship from being unloaded for 24 hours.

Last year Ireland’s Council of Trade Unions (ICTU), following a motion from anti-war activists in Derry, and after an ICTU visit to Palestine, called for full trade union support for the boycott campaign. Furthermore, Dublin City Council, in May 2010. passed a resolution calling on the City Manager not to sign or renew any contracts with French multinational Veolia – the operators of the LUAS who have also tendered for the Metro North project.

Veolia operate Israeli rail, bus and waste services in the illegally occupied West Bank.

Also in recent weeks, a growing list of musicians has refused to play concerts in Israel. Gil Scott-Heron cancelled the Israeli stop of his world tour, as did the Pixies, Massive Attack and Elvis Costello. If you are interested in joining our boycott activities and our blockade of the Israeli embassy contact us on our website irishantiwar.org or facebook.

Israel’s attack on the civilians on the Freedom Flotilla with the death of nine civilians and the wounding of over 40 was unprovoked, unwarranted, and brutal. It brought home yet again the true nature of the Israeli state.

Israel’s attack on the civilians on the Freedom Flotilla with the death of nine civilians and the wounding of over 40 was unprovoked, unwarranted, and brutal. It brought home yet again the true nature of the Israeli state.

Support for the flotilla has reverberated around the world. The Irish Anti War Movement, along with others, has mobilised large numbers on demonstrations in Dublin. It has been calling for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador here. It has held several blockades of the Israel Embassy the first of which succeeded in closing the Embassy down for one day.

People see how much Israel relies on its Western backers. Obama, even after the flotilla murders, yet again praised Netanyahu for being serious about peace! Every time a further move to ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians is made, US military might and billions of dollars in aid is there to support Israel.

The conflict is opening people’s eyes to the politics of the Middle East and how Western interests back the status quo. The actions of the Israeli state, including its building of a concrete prison wall and its stubborn continuation of the building of settlements criss-crossing the West Bank, have made many see Israel as an apartheid state which needs to be changed.

Historian Ilan Pappe refers to Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians as ethnic cleansing and says that it has deep political causes. Some of the questions that this day-school seeks to address are:

•What is the solution to the ending of the apartheid state of Israel?
•Why does the Irish government refuse to stand up clearly to Israel?
•Why does the EU treat Israel as a special ally?
•What do the governments of the Arab states not stand up to Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians?
•Why does political Islam seem to be leading the resistance to Israel?
•Is the call for boycotting Israel anti-Semitic?
Come along and discuss these with us. There will be sessions aimed at full participation and others where you can ask questions and raise points, or just listen, if you like!



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3. Attend Saturday's Day School On-Line.

The Irish Anti-War Movement is holding a number of experimental online meeting at the Day School this Saturday the meetings which can be attended on-line are listed below.

On-Line participants will be able to ask questions in the same way as people who are physically attending the meeting.

WARNING THIS IS THE FIRST TIEM THIS HAS BEEN DONE AND THE RESULTS WILL DEPEND ON YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION.

12:30 - 13:30 Israel and the Arab States

Anne Alexander (author of ‘Nasser - Life and Times’)
Attend On-Line (https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/947757993).

16:00 - 17:30 Islam and resistance (Panel of Speakers)

Ahmed El Habash (Palestinian Rights Institute)
Michael Youlton (IAWM)
Anne Alexander (author of ‘Nasser - Life and Times’)
Francesco Cavorta (Author :Democratization in the Muslim World)
Attend On-Line (https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/401304888).

17:30 - 18:30 The Politics of Anti - Imperialism

Richard Boyd Barrett (Chair IAWM)
Fintan Lane (Participant on Gaza Flotilla)
Attend On-Line (https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/797972145).



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4. MONDAY 09 AUGUST FROM 7.30AM PEACEFUL BLOCKADE OF ISRAELI EMBASSY, PEMBROKE ROAD, BALLSBRIDGE, DUBLIN 4.

The IAWM calls on the Irish Government to break diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.

Please join us at the Israeli Embassy to send the message to the Israeli Ambassador that he is not welcome in Ireland as long as the siege of Gaza and the ethnic cleansing in the West Bank continues and the Palestinian people are denied their human rights.

This will be the seventh time we have carried out a blockade of the Israeli Embassy since the killing of the nine Turkish Peace Activists on 31 May. For a report on the last blockade see http://irishantiwar.org/node/954

Please come along, tell all your friends and show your support for the people of Gaza and the West Bank.



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5. Donating to the Irish Anti-War Movement

5-1. Donating through PayPal

Follow this link to donate to the Irish Anti War Movement through PayPal.

5-2. Setup a Standing Order

To set-up a standing order with the Irish-Anti War Movement please go to the following link http://www.irishantiwar.org/files/standing-order-form.doc fill in the form and post to the Irish Anti-War Movement P.O. Box 9260 Dublin 1.

in support of the families of Abu Salim victims

Araya Human Rights Organization supports the families of those killed in Libya

We call upon those living in Ireland to demonstrate in support of the families of Abu Salim prison victims at 3pm Sat 31st July 2010 at The GPO, O Connell St Dublin.

Click on the image to enlarge

Protest at Shamrock Rovers v (Israeli Team) Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv

Thurs 15th July 7PM - Protest at Shamrock Rovers v (Israeli Team) Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
Contents

1.Thurs 15th July 7PM - Protest at Shamrock Rovers v (Israeli Team) Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
2.Wed 21st July 7:30PM - Flotilla of Songs - Irish Anti-War Movement Fundraising Gig
3.Donating to the Irish Anti-War Movement
1.Donating through PayPal
2.Setup a Standing Order


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1. Thurs 15th July 7PM - Protest at Shamrock Rovers v (Israeli Team) Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv

The IAWM are calling on their members to join with the IPSC, Eirigi and the PRI to protest at the following event where an Israeli soccer team will play against Shamrock Rovers:

Date: Thursday 15 Jul 2010

Time: 7:00PM

Venue: Shamrock Rovers Football Ground, Tallaght, Dublin.

The IPSC, Eirigi, PRI & IAWM will protest at the Shamrock Rovers vs Bnei-Yehuda Tel-Aviv game in Tallaght Stadium (beside The Square) on Thursday July 15th, protest starts at 7pm, kick off at 8pm.

The main protest will take place outside the grounds.

If you are interested and/or have ideas, there is a brief meeting organised in the Central Hotel at 7pm on Wednesday 14th July to discuss options and roles.

Please spread the word, we need people! Thanks.

Please contact Ronan on 086 4082535 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 086 4082535 end_of_the_skype_highlighting of IPSC or Jim of IAWM SC on 087 6472737 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 087 6472737 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

If you are planning to attend and want to help out or if you have any queries.

Details:
Tickets
Adults: €15 / Students €10
Senior €10 / Under 14 €7

You can buy tickets online at the address below.

http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/

Adult Ticket V Bnei Yehuda

The fourteenth anniversary

The fourteenth anniversary of the massacre of Abu Selim Prison in Libya. In June 29 1996, more than 1200 detainees at Abu Selim Prison, a notorious prison nearby Tripoli, Libya, were gunned down with machine guns by their jailers. They had been imprisoned on account of their opinions, their exercise of free speech, their words the Libyan government found objectionable.

This crime against humanity and against the Libyan people was done with knowledge and oversight by Muammar Qaddafi. Nothing of this magnitude would have happened without his approval.

To this date, no one knows what happened to the bodies, who actually gave the orders in the field to carry out the action, or the names of the people responsible for pulling the triggers. And no one knows to this date whether or where those executed are buried or where their remains are located.

For years, the families went to this prison in hope of seeing their loved ones, and for years they took clothing, food, and personal items to them. Mothers. Fathers. Sisters. Brothers. Wives and children. Month after month, year after year, they went and gave over what comfort they could provide, believing that their gifts were being given to their loved ones. Although they were not allowed to communicate with their loved ones, the items they brought were always accepted by the jailers.

In the last few years after learning of this unbearably tragic event, these mothers, fathers, sisters and children, gathered in a small square in Benghazi, Libya every Saturday in solidarity, seeking knowledge about who slaughtered their love ones and where their remains had been taken. On many occasions, they were harassed by government officials. Their stories never got told by the government-controlled media.

It is only through the freedom of the internet and the courageous efforts of Libyan people able to post the photos and images and interviews of those seeking information about their loved ones, that they were able to relay information about this horrific and tragic event.

Now we call upon the international community and all human rights organization to investigate this Abu Selim massacre and help bring it to the attention of the world. The following assistance would be instrumental in the families’ efforts:

1. Handover the remains of all victims and allow their families and their love ones to bury them in accordance with Islamic law.

2. Provide information and full details of this crime and all responsible of gunning these prisoners.

3. Release all prisoners of conscience who are still behind bars in Libyan prisons.

On Saturday, June 26, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a group of Libyans and their friends will gather at DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C., to bring attention to this massacre and the 40 years of terror and tyranny wielded by Muammar Qaddafi against the Libyan people. We invite the press to participate, interview those who are gathered, and make this story known to the world. For interviews, Contact: Mohamed B AlineverForgetAbuSelimMassacre@gmail.comThe Committee to Commemorate Abu Selim prison massacre

IRISH ANTIWAR MOVEMENT - Peaceful Blockade of Israeli Embassy

IRISH ANTIWAR MOVEMENT - Peaceful Blockade of Israeli Embassy
IRISH ANTIWAR MOVEMENT - Peaceful Blockade of Israeli Embassy
Monday, 14th June, From 7.30AMIsraeli Embassy, Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Expel the Israeli Embassador
Sanctions on Israel now
End the Siege of Gaza
Break diplomatic ties with Israel.

IRISH ANTIWAR MOVEMENT - Peaceful Blockade of Israeli Embassy

IRISH ANTIWAR MOVEMENT - Peaceful Blockade of Israeli Embassy
IRISH ANTIWAR MOVEMENT - Peaceful Blockade of Israeli Embassy
Monday, 14th June, From 7.30AMIsraeli Embassy, Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Expel the Israeli Embassador
Sanctions on Israel now
End the Siege of Gaza
Break diplomatic ties with Israel.

Anti War Debate 22.6.2010

Richard Boyd Barrett a member of Antiwar movement Ireland supports boycotting Israel's goods to lift apartheid on Palestinians. We will lift aparthied on Gaza like we did removed it from South Africa.






Joe Costillo Irish Labour Party speaking in Antiwar movement meeting Ireland boycotting Israel's goods will it work or not.





Debating lifting aparthied on Gaza.

Araya Human Rights Organization presents Flotilla1 witness statement

Araya Human Rights Organization presents witness statement by Denis J. Halliday who used to be head of the UN Humanitarian Program in Iraq, and recently he has been on Rachel Corrie Freedom Flotilla ships in aid to Gaza. He spoke of his experience as the Rachel corrie been rounded up by Israeli troops.






witness statement by Phale McGuire peace worker in Hayfa (Hibron)

Demonstrations in support of Freedom Flotilla to Gaza

Israeli storming of a Gaza aid flotilla

Five Irish citizens seized during the Israeli storming of a Gaza aid flotilla are in Turkey today preparing further travel plans.
One of the Irish citizens, Al Mahdi Alharati, had his journey home to Ireland delayed after he became ill and was taken to hospital in the Turkish capital Ankara. It is understood he has been treated by doctors and is well.
Four other men were taken to Istanbul last night. They include leading activists Fiachra Ó Luain and Dr Fintan Lane who are expected to make plans to return to Ireland in the next 24 hours.
Speaking from Istanbul today, Dr Lane recalled the Israeli raid on the Gaza convoy: "When they boarded our boat, we resisted entirely peacefully. I sat on the floor and tried to reason with them, but the Israeli commandos physically attacked us".
"Fiachra was dragged around the ground and I had a gun pointed in my face by a screaming commando. His mania was so intense that I genuinely feared for my life. Others received beatings".
Dr Lane also spoke of the beatings some passengers received at the airport in Tel Aviv: "Fiachra was beaten up at the airport and has to go into hospital today for tests," he said.
He said Ken O'Keefe, the Irish-American passenger, suffered a severe beating at the hands of security officials at Tel Aviv airport before boarding, and his injuries were so bad that he had to be hospitalised in Tel Aviv.
Irish-Australian journalist Paul McGeough is expected to make his own arrangements along with a Turkish-Irish national.
They were among hundreds of people detained by authorities and released under massive international pressure following the deadly military-led action on the aid flotilla. Nine people were killed in the attack.
Mr Alharati, a father-of-four originally from Libya, was stretchered off a flight to Ankara last night with another man. He suffers from diabetes and an underlying heart condition.
There were reports of scuffles at Ben Gurion airport last night as detainees were passing through security to board flights out of Israel. Mr Ó Luain was injured when a row broke out with Israeli authorities in an area where about 400 detainees were being held.
He suffered injuries to his body but it is understood he was not seriously hurt.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “We have a copy of the doctor’s assessment of his condition and how he might have received his injuries. We had seen him in Be’er Sheva (detention camp) and we can tell for ourselves how he was in Be’er Sheva and how he was when he arrived in Istanbul.
“If there is evidence that he was assaulted in Ben Gurion, we will be raising this with Israeli authorities and looking for a full account of what occurred.”
Consular staff were with Mr Ó Luain in hospital in Istanbul and Foreign Affairs officials in Ireland have been liaising with his family.
The day after the aid flotilla was stormed, Taoiseach Brian Cowen warned in the Dáil of the “most serious consequences” if any Irish people were injured.
The first Irish campaigner to return home, Dubliner Shane Dillon, called on the world to stand united against Israel and impose sanctions.
Mr Dillon (36) accused armed forces of destroying footage of the assault by damaging equipment owned by journalists before physically attacking activists with stun guns and paintball pellets.
Meanwhile, one of the last boats in the Gaza mission, the Irish-owned MV Rachel Corrie is continuing its slow journey to the Israeli-imposed exclusion zone. It is expected to hit the embargo area tomorrow night or Saturday morning.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has said Irish officials have continued to make it clear to the Israeli government, through its ambassador in Dublin, that maximum restraint is to be used on the vessel.

Five Irish citizens seized during the Israeli storming of a Gaza aid flotilla

Five Irish citizens seized during the Israeli storming of a Gaza aid flotilla are now in Turkey ahead of their journey back home.
But one of the Irish citizens, Al Mahdi al Harati, had his journey home to Ireland delayed after he became ill and was taken to hospital in the Turkish capital Ankara. It is understood he has been treated by doctors and is well.
Four other men were evacuated to Istanbul on Wednesday night. They include leading activists Fiachra O'Luain and Dr Fintan Lane, who are expected to make plans to return to Ireland in the next 24 hours.
Award-winning journalist Paul McGeough is expected to make his own arrangements along with a Turkish-Irish national.
An Irish-American is believed to have remained in Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv after issues were raised over his travel documents.
They were among hundreds of people detained by authorities and released under massive international pressure following the deadly military-led action on the aid flotilla. Nine people were killed in the attack.
Mr al Harati, a father-of-four originally from Libya, was stretchered off a flight to Ankara on Wednesday night with another man. He suffers from diabetes and an underlying heart condition and is not thought to have been wounded in Monday's attack.
The first Irish campaigner to return home, Dubliner Shane Dillon, called on the world to stand united against Israel and impose sanctions.
The 36-year-old accused armed forces of destroying footage of the assault by damaging equipment owned by journalists before physically attacking activists with stun guns and paintball pellets.
Meanwhile, one of the last boats in the Gaza mission, the Irish-owned MV Rachel Corrie is continuing its slow journey to the Israeli-imposed exclusion zone. It is expected to hit the embargo area on Friday night or Saturday morning.Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/uk-ireland/flotilla-activists-set-for-return-14829386.html#ixzz0qHQosQEq

In support of the ship Rachel Corrie in aid of Gaza

Please support the people at the Israeli Embassy this morning

Last night over 50 Anti-War activists slept out at the Israeli embassy in solidarity with the people on board the MV Rachel Corrie as it attempts to deliver its humanitarian aid to the beleaguered people of Gaza.
If you can please got to the Israeli Embassy today and support them. Due to the presence of these people none of the Israeli officians have shown up for work yet.
If you can't go to the embassy call the Embassy and leave a message calling on them to let the MV Rachel Corrie deliver its aid to the people of Gaza. The number is 01 668-0303.

Denouncement of the attack on ships in aid of- Gaza 31/05/10

Denouncement of the attack on ships in aid of- Gaza

Araya Human Rights Organization

منظمة الراية لحقوق الانسان

Arayahro@yahoo.ie


31st May 2010
Press release
Denouncement of the attack on ships in aid of- Gaza

On this day the world awoke to the screams of the most recent victims of the Zionist atrocity.
This is a true act of terrorism, a true act of piracy and a serious breach on human rights. This vicious onslaught by the Zionist supported Israeli government is its most recent crime against human rights leaving nineteen people dead and fifty injured. How long will we standby and watch as these monsters attack whoever they please? The world has to stop shuffling its feet and take responsibility for this terrorist state.
Araya Human Rights Organization calls all the freedom lobbyers to stand by these activists and help put the leash back on this monstrosity.
The whole world is requested to stand in solidarity to the movement of those who want to find a way to break the siege on Gaza.

Administration