International Courts Are Off Track (Townhall.com) May 27, 2009
Posted by daviddavenport in Radio Commentaries.Tags: International Law
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International courts are confused, neglecting what they should be
Courtesy of Townhall.com
attacking–namely piracy–and stirring around in things over which they have no real jurisdiction–alleged crimes by the U.S. in Guantanamo and by Israel in Gaza.
A Spanish judge is investigating former U.S. officials for alleged war crimes 5000 miles away in Guantanamo, as well as Israel for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Meanwhile a court in Norway and the International Criminal Court consider weighing in on Israel.
The questionable basis for these investigations is the doctrine of universal jurisdiction, on which any court in the world can claim jurisdiction over certain crimes. Funny, but that doctrine was developed for piracy, and today no court seems interested in that. In fact, our allies engage in pirate catch and release.
It’s all backwards in international courts.
David Davenport 
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