People’s Tribunals, the World Tribunal on Iraq

The World Tribunal on Iraq (WTI), held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 24-26 June 2005 represented the culmination of a series of 20 hearings in cities around the world over a period of two years. The objective of these sessions was to record and disseminate the truth about the war in Iraq, allowing expression of opposition to the war by global civil society. The tribunal was attended not by governments, but individuals (academics, writers and activists) from around the world and was modelled on the International War Crimes Tribunal established by the British philosopher Bertrand Russell in 1967 during the Vietnam War. The WTI investigated issues including war crimes, the role of the media, the legality of the war, and the role of the United Nations.

A 17-member Jury of Conscience from 10 countries heard testimonies from a panel of advocates and witnesses from around the world. The aim of the WTI was to record the crimes and misdeeds committed leading up to the war and throughout the occupation as well as the political, cultural and environmental devastation that resulted. The final document detailed the falsehoods offered by the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom to justify the invasion, and the scant attention paid to massive public opposition to the war.

The jury also established findings and charges against the government of the US and UK, the UN Security Council, private corporations and major corporate media. The declaration included recommendations which the Jury of Conscience hope will lay the groundwork for a future where ‘international institutions will be shaped and reshaped by the will of the people and not by fear and self-interest, where journalists and intellectuals will not remain mute, where the will of the people of the world will be central and human society will prevail over state security and corporate profits.”

The Tribunal hopes that the evidence gathered will serve as an historical record of truth about the war in Iraq.

(Source: Share International, September 2005 and www.truthout.org)