In what is viewed as another outrageous exercise of power, President George Bush has signed into law a Bill that would deny humanitarian aid to nations that refuse to grant immunity to American military personnel charged for war crimes under the International Criminal Court. (ICC)

A legislative package amounting to US$388 covering spending by US Federal Agencies clearly restricts these funds being used to assist nations that are a party to the ICC. It is indeed a paradox that a nation that champions and promotes democracy should find the ICC such a threat. On the contrary, the ICC should be an article of faith that genuine democrats would endorse and support.

This is yet another display of naked power and arrogance by the present US Administration. It further endorses the idea that there are clear reasons for the US to fear the ICC. Their handling of issues both in Iraq and Afghanistan, their handling of the fight against terrorism, abuse of prisoners both in Iraq and Guantanamo are all reasons enough to convict American military personnel under the ICC.

To use humanitarian aid and to tie the same to subservience to American excesses is indeed an acknowledgement of both fear and guilt. The Bill's passage coincided with new reports of torture and excesses by US soldiers. It is indeed ironic that the US stands against the ICC which is the end result of a campaign for a permanent war crimes tribunal that began in the wake of the Nuremberg trials following World War Two. The court is empowered to prosecute cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed after July 1, 2002.

The International Movement for a Just World condemns this action by the US and calls on the legislatures of free nations to unequivocally condemn this Bill and this action by the US Government as being unfair, unjust and against the interest of Democracy.