Spain's probe of Israelis presents legal quandary
Legal World
A Spanish judge's decision to investigate seven Israeli officials over a deadly 2002 attack against Hamas that had nothing to do with Spain has renewed a debate about the long arm of European justice.
Critics say Madrid should mind its own business, particularly since Spain is still struggling to address its own bloody past. Supporters argue that some crimes are so heinous that all of humanity is a victim and somebody has to prosecute them.
Spain is hardly alone. A number of European countries have enacted some form of "universal jurisdiction," a doctrine that allows courts to reach beyond national borders in cases of torture or war crimes.
_ In 2001, a war crimes suit against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was filed in Belgium by Palestinian survivors of the 1982 Sabra and Chatilla refugee camp massacre in Lebanon. Belgium's highest court then dismissed the war crimes proceedings against Sharon and others, ruling it had no legal basis to charge them.
_ French judges have opened investigations into Congolese security officials and convicted a Tunisian Interior Ministry official of torturing a fellow citizen on Tunisian soil.
_ And Spain has indicted the late Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and Osama bin Laden among others, including Argentine dirty war suspects.
Related listings
-
South Korean blogger seeks bail after arrest
Legal World 01/28/2009A South Korean blogger charged with spreading false information has requested bail and said his arrest was unconstitutional, a lawyer said Wednesday. The 30-year-old man — identified in court documents as Park Dae-sung — was charged last week with po...
-
WADA faces court challenge in Belgium
Legal World 01/27/2009A group of Belgian athletes is challenging the rule requiring athletes to notify drug testers of their whereabouts, contending it violates privacy. If the case is successful in Belgium, it could undermine the work of the World Anti-Doping Agency and ...
-
Israeli court orders Gaza open to foreign media
Legal World 01/25/2009Israel's Supreme Court on Sunday ordered its government to allow free access to Gaza for foreign correspondents, rejecting a ban imposed even before the recent Israeli offensive there.The ruling says the Israeli government must allow access to report...
New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC
Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.