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Arrest Not 'Presently' Justified |
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Compiled By GayToday
London, England--Refusing Peter Tatchell's application for an arrest warrant against Henry
Kissinger, Judge Nicholas Evans said yesterday that he was not "presently" able to
draft a "suitably precise charge" based on the evidence submitted.
"This leaves open the possibility that he might issue a warrant in the future if I can produce stronger evidence against Kissinger", said Mr. Tatchell. "It is now my intention to liaise with human rights lawyers and organizations in the United States, in order to obtain further evidence and witnesses. I hope to come back to court in a few months time and make a new application for Mr. Kissinger's arrest". "I brought this case because the Director of Public Prosecutions, David Calvert-Smith, has refused to prosecute Mr. Kissinger. "Henry Kissinger was the chief architect of the indiscriminate U.S. bombing of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 1969-73, which resulted in three million civilians being killed, injured or made homeless. His actions are war crimes under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957. "It is the respon sibility of the DPP to enforce the law without fear or favour. No one is above the law, not even Henry Kissinger. He may have escaped arrest this time, but my bid to have him prosecuted continues. Three million civilians are crying out for justice", said Mr. Tatchell. Judge Nicholas Evans's judgement, Bow Street Magistrates Court, 24.4.2002:
"I ought not to issue any summons / warrant unless I can draft a suitably precise charge. I can not presently do this on the information provided. "Mr. Tatchell has made his application courteously and with obvious sincerity. I do not doubt the strength of feeling in him and many others that justice requires that Mr. Kissinger should face the allegations made against him in a court of law", concluded Mr. Evans. |
