Change in UK arrest warrant law far off
Guardian says amendment to law which allowed for issuing of arrest warrant against Livni postponed until after general election. Israeli ambassador to London: Change needed to solidify Britain's role in Mideast peace process
LONDON - More than two months have passed since Britain vowed to close a loophole in the law that has led to war crimes arrest warrants being issued against high profile politicians, including former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, but it seems that the move is still far off.
According to the Guardian, the Justice Ministry said the move has been postponed until after the general election.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw was quoted by the British daily as saying that the government recognized that it was a controversial issue as it involved the long-standing right of private prosecution.
"Therefore, rather than legislating now, we are going to seek views on the proposals we are minded to make," said Straw in a written ministerial statement to MPs.
The Commons justice committee is also set to consider the proposed change in the law, the Guardian reported. A closing date of April 6 has been set for the consultation, "making a change in the law impossible before the general election is due to take place," said the report.
Justice officials confirmed that the move will need primary legislation.
Under the proposals, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will take over responsibility for prosecuting war crimes and other violations of international law. It will end the current system in which magistrates are obliged to consider a case for an arrest warrant presented by any individual.
'Cynical elements taking advantage of the system'
Israeli officials expressed their disappointment over the expected delay. "We do not see how the proposed change will be implemented anytime soon," one official told Ynet.
Israel's Ambassador to London Ron Prosor said the amendment to the law is also important for Britain's status and its ability to play a key role in the Mideast peace process.
Livni on Thursday welcomed the proposed changes and attacked the original decision to issue the warrant as "absurd".
"The current situation in (Britain) enables the more cynical elements to take advantage of the system. The warrant that was issued against me according to the legislation was an absurd use of this law," she said.
Following an application by Palestinian activists, a London court last year issued a warrant for the arrest of Livni, now the leader of Israel's opposition Kadima party, over her role in Israel's 22-day war against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, launched at the end of 2008. Livni was foreign minister at the time.
The Israeli politician reportedly cancelled her trip to London for fear of being arrested.
The affair acutely embarrassed the British government and Prime Minister Brown pledged to change the law that allows judges to consider a case for an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes suspects brought by any individual.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Brown was expected to present proposed legal changes to a parliamentary committee on Thursday, which will then be consulted on before the government legislates.
On Thursday the British PM defended his decision to change the law. Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Brown said he would set out proposals to put the CPS in sole charge of judging the merits of any case brought under international law.
"The only question for me is whether our purpose is best served by a process where an arrest warrant for the gravest crimes can be issued on the slightest of evidence," he said.
AFP contributed to the report
