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Irish
Anti-War Movement
Statement and
Appeal to the Irish government on the third Anniversary of
the US-led invasion of Iraq.
As we approach the third anniversary of the US led invasion
of Iraq, we appeal to the Irish Government to act urgently
to end the slaughter in Iraq and to avert the threat of
further slaughter in Iran and elsewhere.
The US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq was an unlawful
act of aggression, based on false claims about weapons of
mass destruction. Between 37,000 and 120,000 lives have been
lost as a result. Hundreds continue to die every week under
the US occupation.
FLOUTING OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW AND VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Widespread reports of executions and torture being carried
out by militias and foreign mercenaries, linked to the
US-backed Iraqi government indicate an almost complete
collapse of human rights standards and protections in
occupied Iraq.
The US and its allies maintain the occupation of Iraq in the
face of the overwhelming opposition of its people. The
military occupation of Iraq and the sectarian political
structures established by the occupying forces, either by
design or error, are fanning the flames of violence and
civil war.
The most serious threat to world peace today is US military
aggression and its foreign and national security policy
including the option to use nuclear weapons on a first
strike basis against non-nuclear states. At over $500
billion last year US military and arms expenditure is
encouraging a new global arms race. Such expenditure on war
and weapons of mass destruction represents an obscenity in
the face of global hunger, which could be fully alleviated
with a fraction of this amount.
COMPLICITY OF
IRISH GOVERNMENT
The Irish government is complicit in the criminal actions
and warmongering of the US military and government in Iraq
by allowing over 500,000 US troops through Shannon Airport
since the beginning of 2003, an act in flagrant violation of
Irish neutrality. In addition the government's decision to
facilitate US aircraft involved in the CIA 'renditions'
programme, and its refusal to search these aircraft,
implicates Ireland in serious violations of International
law and seriously questions its human rights obligations as
a signatory of the Geneva and Hague Conventions.
OUR DEMANDS TO
THE IRISH GOVERNMENT
We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Ireland to
end its collusion with US military aggression, and breaches
of international law and human rights, by taking the
following steps:
*… Immediately end the use of Irish airports and airspace by
the US military and CIA as long as the US is occupying Iraq
or engaged in acts of military aggression against any other
state.
*… Publicly call for the setting of a firm timetable for the
withdrawal of the US led occupation forces from Iraq.
…* Publicly call for an International tribunal to
investigate US and Coalition war crimes and abuses of human
rights in the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
*… Publicly call for an end to US threats of military
aggression against Iran or any other state.
*… Publicly offer sanctuary to any US military personnel
refusing to participate in the US war effort in Iraq or
Afghanistan.
…* Publicly demand that the EU and US pressurise Israel to
end its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.
We call on the Irish public to support these demands and
join the global day of protest against war and occupation on
Saturday March 18th assembling at 2pm in Parnell Square,
Dublin.
Signatories:
Brendan Gleeson (Actor), Sinead Cusack (Actress), Stephen
Rae (Actor), Christy Moore, (Musician), Frank Mc Guinness
(writer), Richard Boyd Barrett, (Chairperson, Irish
Anti-War Movement), Cindy Sheehan (Peace activist and
mother of US soldier killed in Iraq), Trevor Sargent TD
(Green Party, Leader), Pat Rabbitte TD (Labour Party,
Leader), Michael D Higgins TD (Labour Party, Foreign
Affairs spokesperson), Liz Mc Manus TD (Labour Party,
Deputy leader), Aengus O’ Snodaigh TD (Sinn Fein, Foreign
Affairs spokesperson), Coamhin O' Caoilain TD (Sinn Fein),
Eamonn Mc Cann (Journalist & writer), George Galloway MP
(Respect), John Rees (Co-founder, Stop the War Coalition),
Lindsey German (Convenor, Stop the War Coalition), Raymond
Deane, (Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign), Finian Mc
Grath, TD (Ind), Tony Gregory TD, (Ind), Senator David
Norris (Ind), Catherine Murphy TD (Ind) Dr Kieran Allen
(Sociologist & writer),
Conor Kostick, (Historian & writer), Dr Colman Etchingham,
(History lecturer), Des Bonass, (Executive, Dublin Council
of Trade Unions), Roger Cole (Chairperson, Peace &
Neutrality Alliance), Brendan Butler (Co-ordinator, NGO
Peace Alliance),
Rev Terrence P Mc Caughey (Former President, Irish
Anti-Apartheid Movement), Dr Fintan Lane (Historian),
Dr Roy H W Johnston; Scientific and techno-economic
consultant, Rory Hearne, (People Before Profit Alliance),
John Pilger (Journalist, writer & Documentary maker), Damien
Rice (Musician / Singer)
To add your name
to the statement visit www.irishantiwar.org |
