gelatik
04.02.03, 13:36
Belgian Senate Okays Law Interpretation Allowing Trial of Sharon
Reviving hopes of 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre victims that Israeli
Premier Ariel Sharon could be prosecuted for war crimes, the Belgian Senate
sponsored Friday, January 31, a new interpretation of the "universal
competence" law which was used as a basis for lawsuits in Belgium against
foreign leaders.
The senators endorsed the new interpretation by 34 votes whereas six voted
against and six others abstained, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The new interpretation has now to be brought before the House of
Representatives for ratification.
The unique "universal competence" law, adopted in 1993, enables Belgian
courts to examine cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
regardless of where the outrages were perpetrated.
The new interpretation says that lawsuits under the law can proceed even if
the person being prosecuted is not on Belgian soil.
An "interpretation" of the law
