Organization for Islamic Cooperation Criticizes September 11 Bill

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) warned Wednesday of the implications of a bill recently passed by the senate to allow families of victims of September 11 attack to sue overseas governments for allegedly sponsoring terrorism.

Saudi news Agency SPA reported today that Secretary-General of the OIC Iyad Madani described the bill as short-sighted. He warned If the Bill were to become a law, it would remove the benefits of centuries old laws and international norms that promote the comity of nations, and plunge the world, one nation or region at a time, into chaos as each nation could pass reciprocal laws in retaliation that would weaken the protections that sovereignty and presumption against extraterritoriality legally provides to all people, of all nations.

He added that passing the bill would disrupt international relations, threatens to plunge the world economy into a depression, weakens the necessary alliances that promote peace and security around the world, and compromises the war on terrorism.

Madani also warned of the dangers of judicial interference in foreign policy action. All it will do, according to the Secretary-General, is cause international discord and retaliatory reciprocity by nations around the world.

The United States, the Secretary-General maintained, plays a vital role around the world, consistent with its superpower status, to enhance peace and security. It does so by working collaboratively with many nations, maintaining a global financial system, and sharing foreign intelligence.

Source : QNA