The Case For Criminalising War
Will Gather Strength
Says Dr Mahathir
PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the movement championing efforts to criminalise war will eventually make presentations to international organisations like the United Nations once it gains enough strength and support worldwide.
"When you are not strong and people still subscribe to killing as a means of settling disputes, then our request will not be seriously considered," the former Prime Minister of Malaysia said.
He said this at a news conference to announce the convening of a conference-cum-exhibition in an attempt to promote the idea of criminalising war at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from Feb 5 to 7.
Dr Mahathir said people from places which had witnessed wars and cruelties like Hiroshima and Iraq, including a victim of the infamous torture at Abu Gharib prison, would be brought in to tell their stories of suffering and the futility of war.
"With many speakers this time around, we hope the conference will reveal in greater detail and dramatically the effects of war.
"We need to change the mindset of the people, make them believe that war is cruel, war is not an option in resolving disputes between nations," he said.
Dr Mahathir also spoke at length about the hanging of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein recently, describing it as an outcome of a sham trial which saw judges removed and lawyers killed.
"I maintain that a court set up by your enemy cannot possibly carry out a fair trial. Courts must always be impartial and unbias.
"But this is obviously a court of the enemy and their intention, I think, right from the word go was to find him guilty and hang him," he said, adding that it was a cruel punishment done in a hurry with no time given for people to appeal or do anything.
Instead of bringing stability to Iraq, Dr Mahathir said the execution would worsen the situation there.
On reports that United States President George W. Bush intended to send more troops to Iraq, he said the move would not improve things.
"What he wants to do is to show that he is not going to be influenced by whatever happens in Iraq, that he has his own way of dealing with things, and even if Iraqis don't like it he will do what he likes.
"He should resign straight away and be tried by the same kangaroo court made up of his enemies," said Dr Mahathir who is known for his straight-talking ways.
-- BERNAMA
January 08, 2007 17:18 PM
Will Gather Strength
Says Dr Mahathir
PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the movement championing efforts to criminalise war will eventually make presentations to international organisations like the United Nations once it gains enough strength and support worldwide.
"When you are not strong and people still subscribe to killing as a means of settling disputes, then our request will not be seriously considered," the former Prime Minister of Malaysia said.
He said this at a news conference to announce the convening of a conference-cum-exhibition in an attempt to promote the idea of criminalising war at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from Feb 5 to 7.
Dr Mahathir said people from places which had witnessed wars and cruelties like Hiroshima and Iraq, including a victim of the infamous torture at Abu Gharib prison, would be brought in to tell their stories of suffering and the futility of war.
"With many speakers this time around, we hope the conference will reveal in greater detail and dramatically the effects of war.
"We need to change the mindset of the people, make them believe that war is cruel, war is not an option in resolving disputes between nations," he said.
Dr Mahathir also spoke at length about the hanging of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein recently, describing it as an outcome of a sham trial which saw judges removed and lawyers killed.
"I maintain that a court set up by your enemy cannot possibly carry out a fair trial. Courts must always be impartial and unbias.
"But this is obviously a court of the enemy and their intention, I think, right from the word go was to find him guilty and hang him," he said, adding that it was a cruel punishment done in a hurry with no time given for people to appeal or do anything.
Instead of bringing stability to Iraq, Dr Mahathir said the execution would worsen the situation there.
On reports that United States President George W. Bush intended to send more troops to Iraq, he said the move would not improve things.
"What he wants to do is to show that he is not going to be influenced by whatever happens in Iraq, that he has his own way of dealing with things, and even if Iraqis don't like it he will do what he likes.
"He should resign straight away and be tried by the same kangaroo court made up of his enemies," said Dr Mahathir who is known for his straight-talking ways.
-- BERNAMA
January 08, 2007 17:18 PM
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