9/11 Bill: US receives global thumbs down

More countries and organizations Thursday joined the chorus of voices condemning the passage by the US Congress of the so-called Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), also known as the 9/11 Bill.

In a statement, a Qatari Foreign Ministry official said: “The bill contradicts international legitimacy, laws and rules, and principles of international law, especially the principle of sovereign nations, which is the main basis for relations among nations.”
He stressed that the decision, if approved by the president and implemented, would constitute a grave precedent with negative fallout, adding that Qatar advises the US administration to take the right decision and veto the bill in order to maintain good relations and serve the US’ and other nations’ common interests.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said such a law would contradict the basis of relations among nations as it is a grave violation with negative and dangerous repercussions. 
He said the UAE hopes that the US will reconsider the bill in order to avoid affecting well-established international principles related to countries’ sovereignty, the cornerstone of international relations, warning against anarchy and confusion in case the bill is passed by the president. 
He said the bill would have a negative effect on the concerted international efforts to fight terrorism.
Kuwait said it is contrary to the basis and principles of relations among nations because it contradicts the principle of foreign sovereign immunity, one of the principles found in all international laws and norms, as stipulated by the UN charter.
A government source expressed hope that the bill will not come into effect, as it poses a threat to international relations and will have grave consequences for all world countries, including the US, due to the confusion and commotion it would stir in the international relations.
Bahrain said the bill is inconsistent with the UN charter and the principles of international law.
Bahrain said it considers the bill contrary to the foundations of international relations, which are based on the principles of foreign sovereign immunity, mutual respect and no imposition of the domestic laws of any country on other countries.
It emphasized that such a law would constitute a dangerous precedent in the relations between nations, as it would pose a threat to the stability of the international system and create significant global economic damage, chaos and instability in international trade.
Bahrain expressed hope that the United States presidency will not ratify this piece of legislation that would give other countries the opportunity to issue similar laws, which would negatively affect the international endeavors to fight terrorism.

The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said in a statement that Morocco, which condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, believes that voluntary obligation of states is the cornerstone of the international fight against terrorism and violent extremism, and there is need to strengthen this commitment and encourage it.
According to the Moroccan news agency, targeting and discrediting countries friendly to the United States would undermine these efforts, and countries cannot be held responsible for isolated individual acts.
Morocco calls for respect for every principle enshrined in the United Nations Charter and reminds that the principle of foreign sovereign immunity is enshrined in international law and is necessary for peaceful international relations, the statement concluded.
Sudan’s presidency said in a statement that the bill passed by the US Congress contradicts international law, especially the principle of sovereignty, which stipulates that no sovereign nation shall be subjected to the jurisdiction of another.
The presidency warned against such a law which would set a precedent, and said it hoped that the US will reconsider the legislation which, if enacted, would put an end to the concerted world efforts to counter terrorism.
A statement, issued by the Mauritanian Foreign Ministry today said that Mauritania has suffered from the phenomenon of terrorism and violent extremism, and has remained resolute in dealing with it, calling on the international community to join these efforts within the framework of respect for the foundations of international law and states’ sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia’s National Society for Human Rights expressed surprise and deep concern over JASTA, “because it contains therein clear violations of fixed principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the principle of sovereign immunity enjoyed by the states, recognized and reinforced by international laws and norms in force.”
The head of the society, Mufleh bin Rabian Al-Qahtani, said in a statement that the law does not serve justice, impinges on the sovereignty of states and sets a dangerous precedent in international relations by violating the principle of states’ immunity from the jurisdiction of other states.
He expressed skepticism about the ulterior motives the bill was approved by the US Congress, saying that it does not serve justice.
Al-Qahtani said his society hopes the US president will veto the law in order to protect the principles of international law, maintain international justice and ensure continued international cooperation in combating terrorism, warning that such a law would push terrorists to commit acts of terror to vex their governments and violate their countries’ laws.
He also said that if terrorists know their governments will be blamed for their acts, then the bill will help them further their goals and affect international efforts to fight terrorism.

Source: Arab News