Peace activist lauds British court ruling to reveal Iraqi allegations

Published: 2008-02-04

LONDON (CNS) -- A leading Catholic peace activist has welcomed a High Court ruling to make public allegations of the murder and torture of Iraqis by British troops. Pat Gaffney, general secretary of the British branch of the international peace organization Pax Christi, said it was important that the public was allowed access to such information no matter how shocking it is. "In relation to anything that's happening in Iraq, there should be much greater accountability and transparency if we are to secure justice and democracy," she told Catholic News Service Feb. 1. "We have to be seen to be open and just in the treatment of the Iraqi people and in how we process the treatment of the Iraqi people in terms of human rights abuses, prisoners and executions. Within the framework of international law we also have to be abiding by conventions that protect both military and civilian populations," Gaffney added.

Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .