U.S. FACILITIES AT GUANTANAMO BAY DECLARED ILLEGAL

TH says on 2007-03-02 22:59:35 about ILCF

As Luf said, the CIA can now adequately be defined as a terrorism organisation. The problem with putting its operatives before a Court is that, every time the finger is pointed and charges are about to be laid, the US withdraws the operatives. What is the US afraid of, justice? As Mr Luf says, until the US operates within the boundaries of International Law, it has no further role to play internationally. In relation to Guantanamo Bay. The base legally belongs to Cuba. Cuba says out so out it is.

David F says on 2007-03-02 21:27:18 about ILCF

I agree with Mr Luf. The US needs to learn its place in the world which is as a trading partner instead of a global bullyboy. It needs to learn not to interfere in the affairs of others, including places such as Cuba. It needs to comply within the boundaries of International Law or otherwise stay out of the processes of world affair. And yes, in my opinion, Mr Luf can legally and rightfully define the CIA as a terrorist organisation and thus point the finger at the Bush Administration in terms of 'providing material support for terrorism'.

Henk Luf says on 2007-03-02 21:12:12 about re: Just Curious

Hi MJ.

The ILCF, as I said was founded in 2005 and, and as I said, it comprised a number of experts and people such judges etc. It is essentially a reference group designed to highlight and refer abuses of whatever nature. It does not seek to create a veneer of authorities, those involved have such authority in their own right and I don't think that you care to argue about international law with an International Court Justice. As I mentioned the ILCF and others, refer to human rights and other abuses by all who commit them and that includes the US administration and the CIA and yes, I did see the disgusting video of that beheading, I saw the uncut version. In relation to the CIA as a terrorist organisation.
Kidnap, illegal transportation, torture, rendition, fraud, murder, manslaughter, money laundering, illegal inprisonment, arms smuggling and a host of other, all proven incidents have all taken place, all of them defined as acts of terrorism and some now subject to court processes in various countries. There is no point in prioritising acts of terrorism. They are all just as bad as one another and leave open opportunities for ongoing incidents. As defined thus, the CIA is a terrorist organisations just like any other, the only difference being that the CIA is endorsed and funded by the US Government. For years though, the US has acted as if it was a law onto itself without being accountable to the rest of the international community. Those days have now ended, an the ILCF is part of that process as are others, including me. Gone will be the days that the US will be able to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries and gone are the days of the US acting external to International Law. And if the US does not like this, may I suggest that its influence should then end at the 12 mile limit of its borders.
Regards.
Henk Luf

MJ says on 2007-03-02 16:54:00 about Just curious

Not having heard of nor finding any reference to the ILFC anywhere other than Mr. Luf's article, I was simply curious about the reference to this judicial group.

Invoking the name of the group appeared, to me, to be an attempt to lend some sort of veneer of authority to what is a one-sided attack equating the US policies with terrorism - a claim that I will suggest is absurd on its face...or did I miss the beheading video the CIA posted on the Internet?

I in no way condoned any human rights abuses by the US but I would suggest that, in a world rife with such abuses, perhaps it would make more sense to prioritize and go after those who are, by any standard, more egregious offenders.

David F says on 2007-03-01 20:14:37 about Guantanamo.

I find it interesting that MJ wishes to maintain a treaty that was broken by the US, wishes to maintain a base that longer belongs to the US and wishes to maintain a treaty that has lapsed and that is no longer endorsed by Cuba. I also find it interesting that MJ is critical of those chasing human rights abuses while closing his eyes to major, and I mean major abuses, by the US and agencies such as the CIA. One set of laws for the US and another set for everyone else? I don't think so.

Henk Luf says on 2007-03-01 19:23:09 about Guantanamo

Thank you MJ
The ILFC mainly comprises International Law
Experts and includes judges, prosecuters and others. It also includes journalists as well as other legal experts. It was founded in 2005. ILFC chases all human rights, breaches of international law and that includes the likes of Castro as well as those involved in breaches, no matter who and where these people might be. While you mentioned Castro, and as I said, there are many others with vases to answer, I detect a stony silence on the very serious illegal activities perpetrated by the US and its agencies. In that, I must conclude that you support proven human rights abuses and more serious activities by the US but not for anyone else. Could you explain.
Regards.
Henk Luf

MJ says on 2007-03-01 15:47:55 about Who?!

What people or countries comprise the ILCF?

How is it they finally got around to rejecting the US presence in Guantanamo Bay (a presence that was agreed to in a negotiated treaty and has been ongoing for over 100 years) and yet they remain silent on the documented human rights abuses that the Castro regime has perpetrated?

Any such "forum" makes a mockery of the phase "international law."

David F says on 2007-03-01 12:54:27 about Guantanamo Bay

Luf kicks arse. And correctly so.