----- Original Message -----
From: James Venables
To: James Venables
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 9:55 AM
Subject: [DAAW] Fwd : House Of Lords To Hear Key Test Case From Iraq War


~~~FORWARDED MESSAGE~~~


Press release, 6th of February 2006.

For immediate use From Margaret Jones and Robbie Manson

HOUSE OF LORDS TO HEAR KEY TEST CASE FROM IRAQ WAR

Starting on February the 20th, the Law Lords will begin debating a
question of great importance for the future of political activism in the
UK, and for how the British courts in future deal with international
law. Their Lordships are asked to decide: Is a British court allowed to
rule on whether a war started by a UK government is a crime ? The
hearing brings together the appeals of nineteen people who took direct
action against the Iraq war - including 14 already convicted Greenpeace
defendants.

Five independent activists whose trials are still pending, are also
appealing. The 'Fairford Five' seek to know what arguments they are
allowed to use in their defence against charges of conspiracy and
criminal damage. In March 2003, Paul Milling and Margaret Jones, Phillip
Pritchard with Toby Olditch, and Josh Richards, all tried to prevent or
delay the take-off of American B-52 bombers from Fairford air force base
in Gloucestershire.

These bombers were waiting to launch the attack on Iraq that would begin
the Iraq war. In the case of Milling and Jones, the action involved
disabling a fleet of bomb carriers and other support vehicles used to
supply the B-52 bombers. All five say they were justified in their
actions, because they aimed at preventing the commission of a far
greater crime - that of 'aggression', of starting an unprovoked war
against another country.

Lower courts have so far denied them this defence argument, saying that
the alleged crime of attacking another country is a matter for
international law, which cannot be ruled on in a British court. In
earlier pre-trial hearings, the Fairford Five have been told they may
say in their defence that they feared individual war crimes would be
committed in Iraq - but not that the Iraq War itself would be a crime.
They will stand trial at Bristol Crown Court later this year.

The week-long hearing before the Law Lords is expected to take place
before a panel comprising. Lord Hoffman, Lord Rodger, Lord Carswell,
Lord Mance, and Lord Bingham of Cornhill.


More information on points of law:

Robbie Manson at Foresters Solicitors: (0208) - 521 5999
Mobile: 0781 268 1083 Home: (01239) - 821066
For more information on the Fairford actions:
Margaret Jones (0117) - 94 66 885
--
James Venables


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