Bishop Desmond Tutu Wants George Bush Prosecuted for the Iraq War

Tutu has been a fighter for human rights for decades and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

Bishop Desmond Tutu

(WASHINGTON DC) - The Bishop Desmond Tutu made international headlines this week by stating in no uncertain terms that former President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair should be held legally accountable for what they did during the war in Iraq.

In an Op-Ed for “The Observer” newspaper, Tutu says that both men and several high-ranking commanders should be brought before an International Court for their war crimes.

Tutu says that the men behaved like “playground bullies,” and that they falsified information to justify their invasion of the country.

“The immorality of the United States and Great Britain’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003, premised on the lie that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, has destabilised and polarised the world to a greater extent than any other conflict in history,” wrote Tutu.

“In a consistent world, those responsible for this suffering and loss of life should be treading the same path as some of their African and Asian peers who have been made to answer for their actions in the Hague.”

Tutu talked about the immense damage that was done during the war, financial and otherwise. He mentioned that 110,000 Iraqis died, and millions lost their homes.

He also recognized 4,500 US soldiers who died, and another 32,000 wounded.

“But even greater costs have been exacted beyond the killing fields, in the hardened hearts and minds of members of the human family across the world,” he wrote.

“If it is acceptable for leaders to take drastic action on the basis of a lie, without an acknowledgement or an apology when they are found out, what should we teach our children?”

Tony Blair responded to Tutu’s remarks on his website:

“I have a great respect for Archbishop Tutu’s fight against apartheid — where we were on the same side of the argument — but to repeat the old canard that we lied about the intelligence is completely wrong as every single independent analysis of the evidence has shown,” said Blair.

Blair then goes on to say that Iraq is better off since the war, with a lower infant mortality rate and stronger economy. He also calls for the two to “agree to disagree.”

Activist groups have been calling for a citizen’s arrest of Blair for his actions during the war. Tutu has been a fighter for human rights for decades and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

Ironically, President Barack Obama won the prize in 2009, but has refused to press for charges against former President Bush.

Special thanks to Kulture Kritic and Your Black World

First published here: http://www.kulturekritic.com/2012/09/news/bishop-desmond-tutu-wants-george-bush-prosecuted-for-the-iraq-war/#