Tuesday, July 27, 2010

UK Government plans to Block Pope arrest


The UK Government has proposed changes to the law which will stop gay rights activists arresting the Pope when he visits Britain in September. British authorities were said to be "seriously concerned" that gay rights campaigners could try to bring a prosecution against the Pope under international criminal law.

Pink News reports that atheist campaigner Richard Dawkins and author Christopher Hitchens asked human rights lawyers to put together a case for charging the Pope over his alleged cover-up of sexual abuse of children in the Catholic church.

Campaigners are expected to protest during the Catholic leader's visit over his remarks on homosexuality, reproductive rights and AIDS.

Justice secretary Ken Clarke proposed changes to the law which would require the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions to any arrest warrant issued under universal jurisdiction.

Universal jurisdiction allows people to be prosecuted in the UK for serious crimes carried out abroad, such as genocide and torture.

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