TAKE ACTION: BBC and World Tribunal on Iraq

"Do I think we should forgive and forget internationally illegal acts? No, I certainly don't.

Do I think the solution in Iraq is to make sure that international law is upheld? Absolutely."

- BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson, 15 June 2006

Will BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson keep his word and let the BBC audience know about the World Tribunal on Iraq?

The following is my last correspondence with BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson.

Thanks John.

I understand the time factor and the baby issue, so I will focus just on one point.

You write:

On 6/15/06 4:39 PM, "John Simpson" wrote:

Do I think we should forgive and forget internationally illegal acts? No, I certainly don't.

Do I think the solution in Iraq is to make sure that international law is upheld? Absolutely.

That’s really great news! As BBC World Affairs Editor, will you keep your word and report on the World Tribunal on Iraq?

PRESS RELEASE about JURY STATEMENT
27 Jun 2005

‘The attack on Iraq is an attack on justice, on liberty, on our safety, on our future, on us all’ – The Jury of Conscience

Istanbul, 27 June, 2005 - With a Jury of Conscience from 10 different countries hearing the testimonies of 54 members of the Panel of Advocates who came from across the world, including Iraq, the United States and the United Kingdom, this global civil initiative came to an end with a press conference at the Hotel Armada where the chair of the Jury of Conscience, Arundathi Roy, announced the Jury’s conclusions. (...) The Istanbul session of the WTI lasted three days and presented testimony on the illegality and criminal violations in the U.S. pretexts for and conduct of this war. The expert opinion, witness testimony, video and image evidence addressed the impact of war on civilians, the torture of prisoners, the unlawful imprisonment of Iraqis without charges or legal defence, the use of depleted uranium weapons, the effects of the war on Iraq’s infrastructure, the destruction of Iraqi cultural institutions and the liability of the invaders in international law for failing to protect these treasures of humanity.

The session in Istanbul was the culminating session of commissions of inquiry and hearings held around the world over the past two years. Sessions on different topics related to the war on Iraq were held in London, Mumbai, Copenhagen, Brussels, New York, Japan, Stockholm, South Korea, Rome, Frankfurt, Geneva, Lisbon and Spain.

Media Lens wrote about this last year:

At a press conference after the tribunal, jury chairperson Arundathi Roy said: “If there is one thing that has come out clearly in the last few days, it is not that the corporate media supports the global corporate project; it +is+ the global corporate project.” (THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE VANISHING WORLD TRIBUNAL ON IRAQ, July 6, 2005)

Will the BBC’s audience be able to know – even though after one year – about the World Tribunal on Iraq? Will you keep your word?

Do I think we should forgive and forget internationally illegal acts? No, I certainly don't.

Do I think the solution in Iraq is to make sure that international law is upheld? Absolutely.

Please, this is not about personal ego. I entreat you! Will you keep your word and let the BBC audience know about the World Tribunal on Iraq?

Please, think of the Iraqi babies while you are looking after yours!

Thank you.

With much hope,
Gabriele Zamparini

***

Hi Gabriele,

One last email, which I think has already exceeded the adult dose. I promise you I stand wholeheartedly on the principles that we should not forgive or forget acts which are against international law, and that we should ensure that international law is upheld. These things are matters of conscience. But I can't quite see why they oblige me to report news which is an entire year old.

Good luck and good night.

John.

***

Thanks John.

You ask: “But I can't quite see why they oblige me to report news which is an entire year old”

To answer your question, simply because the war is still going on, the occupation is still going on and because the BBC didn’t report the WTI when it was NOT “an entire year old.”

As you wrote, “These things are matters of conscience”. As everything in life!

Best wishes,
Gabriele

To read the whole correspondence, please click here.

TAKE ACTION: Please, write to John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor and to Helen Boaden, Director of BBC News asking to report on the World Tribunal on Iraq. I strongly urge readers to maintain a polite, non-aggressive and non-abusive tone.

John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor
Email: jcfsimpson@yahoo.co.uk

Helen Boaden, Director of BBC News
Email: HelenBoaden.Complaints@bbc.co.uk

Please also send copies of all emails to: info@thecatsdream.com