Posted on 05/18/2022 11:27:03 AM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
WASHINGTON — Leading senators of both parties have struck a deal over a draft bill that would expand a 1996 war crimes law to give American courts jurisdiction over cases involving atrocities committed abroad even if neither party is a U.S. citizen, in the latest response to Russia’s apparent targeting of civilians in Ukraine.
The idea behind the draft, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, is that if someone who committed war crimes abroad later comes to the United States and is discovered, that person could be prosecuted for those actions by the Justice Department.Killings of civilians and the discovery of mass graves in parts of Ukraine that had been occupied by Russian troops have incited an international outcry.
Despite partisan polarization that has generally gridlocked Congress, supporters of the bill— which is chiefly sponsored by the top lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee, Senators Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, and Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois —believe the measure has a realistic chance of quickly becoming law.
The senators are still in talks with House members about a possible companion bill andexpect to file the measure later this week, committee staff members said. “The United States must not be a safe haven for war criminals looking to escape justice in their home country,” Mr. Grassley, the bill’s author, said in a statement to The Times. “This bill sends a strong message that people who commit war crimes are not welcome here and should be punished, regardless of where their offense was committed or who they victimized.”
Mr. Durbin said the measure would fill “an egregious gap in our laws” to ensure that foreign war criminals in the United States could be prosecuted.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
The IRONY of the New York Times once again “reporting” on the Ukraine, 90 years after Walter Duranty of The New York Times lied about the Ukraine for Uncle Joe Stalin...
Start with the thousands of civilians killed by Ukrainian shelling of the Donbas since 2014.
“Given that the United States isn’t a party to the International Criminal Court, I’m curious as to how exactly this bill will expand America’s jurisdiction to war crimes where neither party (be it alleged perpetrator or alleged victim) is an American citizen.”
I agree. Since there is no American victim, and we are not a party to the ICC, I’d say we have no standing bringing any action, unless we petitioned the ICC for a special case as a non-member (which I’d expect the ICC to deny).
This is just more grandstanding for the optics.
The Bush Leaguers will line up to vote for this.
Perhaps because its ultimate targets will be?
Everything the Fedgov does from now on will be geared to defending itself from what it considers its primary threat.
What? You never hear of kidnapping? As of today the Fed Gov is a true criminal organization!
Think I’m kidding? Just go ask the head IT/THEY of the new US Disinformation Board:-)
The United States will just use the money it stole from Russia to finance "rendition teams" to do nasty stuff outside the light.
There is a reason it is called the New Duranty Times.
It’s going to be fun when the US personnel are going to be caught in a third country and extradited to Afghanistan over a drone strike on a family.
In between their talks on amnesty.
“It’s going to be fun when the US personnel are going to be caught in a third country and extradited to Afghanistan over a drone strike on a family.”
That was a mis-targeting incident and the US accepted responsibility. Your hatred of the US is off the charts.
Ill considered if the above described is true. Because other countries would reciprocate.
And it would be causus belli if under the color of such a law elements of the U.S. military or intelligence apparatus "fetched" those found guilty. I'm sure the attitude behind it is "we can do anything we want, what are they going to do?"
Then the Law of Unintended Consequences enters the chat.....
China will be called
As A Witness?
Was anyone convicted and sent to prison? I mean Afghan prison.
Nope, I have no hatred towards the US, quite a contrary. Just having fun over idiotic imperial laws making the judiciary a branch of banana republic and a laughing stock of the world.
If you're referring to the Kabul drone strike from 2021, the Pentagon "accepted responsibility" by calling it a "tragic mistake", while also saying that no military personnel would be punished. Some 'responsibility.'
Would you accept this kind of accountability? "Your mistake got 10 people killed, but you won't be reprimanded whatsoever."
My point exactly. Throwing stones out of the glass building.
We admitted it. There are many countries who, having made the same error, would still be insisting that the killed were indeed terrorists, kids and all.
The US should not belong to any organization outside of voter control. In the same vein, the EPA and the Federal Reserve should be and likely are, unConstitutional. Along with NATO, WHO, and the UN. Temporary alliances during a hot war like the Allied forces in WW 2 are acceptable, as a War has been declared. UN war in Korea, that was a no-brainer. We had no business there without a declaration of war.
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