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Human rights activists acquitted for disrupting Iraq Procurement 2004Crown prosecution service backs down, prosecution witnesses refuse to attendThe Crown stated that "there is not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction". Ewa and Pennie had been charged with intending to disrupt a “lawful activity” when they entered the Iraq Procurement Conference, unfurled banners, and addressed the delegates as collaborators in the daily massacres in Iraq. Their actions caused the conference venue to be evacuated and all activity to be suspended. Pennie and Ewa were claiming their right to trial under Section 23 of the Prosecution of Offenses Act 1985. This meant they were in effect taking the government and conference organisers Windrush Communications to court. Prosecution witnesses from Windrush refused to attend the trial and failed to disclose evidence, in violation of repeated court orders, to reveal invitations, attendees, order of business and contracts procured, relating to the event. The CPS and prosecution have thereby side-stepped the questions the defence were to raise as regards the legality of the structural economic reforms being imposed on Iraq. The prosecution refused to give evidence and the defendents were fully acquitted with the magistrate agreeing to award the defence costs. background:Human rights activists Ewa Jasiewicz and Pennie Quinton stand trial tomorrow (Tues Nov 23 - Wed Nov 24, 10.30) on a charge of "aggravated trespass" (explanation). Jasiewicz and Quinton stand accused of disrupting the "Meet the Buyers" Iraq Procurement 2004 event in London in Apr 26-28 this year. They unfurled banners and berated the delegates in English and Arabic that they were complicit in the continuing killing of Iraqi civilians. UK Attorney General Lord Peter Goldsmith advised Prime Minister Blair in Mar 2003 that in his view, "the imposition of major structural economic reforms [on Iraq] would not be authorised under international law". The defence will argue that the meeting was not a lawful event under the Hague Regulations of 1907 and Geneva Conventions 1949. The conference would have been packed with companies eager to take advantage of structural adjustments and privatisations ordered in Iraq by the "Coalition" (explanation). The defendants invited the Attorney General to give evidence at the trial, but SW is not aware whether he has accepted. Naomi Klein (No Logo author and journalist) will be attending, however, as an expert witness on the imposition of privatisation and free market policies on Iraq. Activists are expected to picket Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on both days from 9am onwards.
External links: "Iraq business deals may be invalid, law experts warn" Thomas Catan, Financial Times Oct 30, 2003 article (reproduced on informationclearinghouse.info) Ewa Jasiewicz writes about Iraqi trade union action under the occupation in Umm Qasr (British zone, near Basra)
Get in touch: Ewa Jasiewicz - freelance@mailworks.org Pennie Quinton - pennieq@yahoo.com |
