London, March 19, IRNA – The UK government has sent its controversial plans to restrict the arrest of Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes to judicial authorities and human rights groups after being told by MPs to consult more widely.
Justice Minister Claire Ward said copies had now been sent to Lord Chief Justice, the Senior Presiding Judge, the Chief Magistrate, the Justices’ Clerks’ Society, the Criminal Bar Association, the Law’ Society, Liberty, JUSTICE, and Amnesty International.
“We have not sought the views of foreign Governments, but will take note of any that may be offered,” Claire also said in a written parliament reply published Friday.
The proposal is to change the law so that only the state Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) would be able to begin prosecutions for war crimes wherever they are committed under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
“This would ensure that action is taken only where expert and independent investigators and prosecutors in the police and CPS are confident there is a realistic likelihood of a successful prosecution,” the Ministry of Justice said.
The changes were originally sent for consultation only to the parliamentary Justice Select Committee, but Ward said the chairman on the committee suggested the government should first seek views from “appropriate sources” before they were considered.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has already announced that the changes, which require parliamentary approval, will not be able to be carried out until after the UK elections, which are expected to be held in May.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband pledged to amend the law in December after an arrest warrant was issued against former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni that caused her to cancel a visit to London at the last moment.
One of the dilemmas faced by the government is that more than 120 MPs, the majority from the ruling Labour Party, have signed an Early Day motion declaring that they would vote against any change to universal jurisdiction legislation.
The opposition Conservatives, who are favourites to win the elections, have also pledged to prevent Israeli leaders being arrested for war crimes and have criticised the government for delaying in changing the law.