President Jonathan Pleads With International Criminal Court (ICC) To Grant Immunity To African Leaders Accused Of War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

President, Goodluck Jonathan, has joined other African leaders to urge the International Criminal Court (ICC)  not to prosecute sitting heads of state, thus allowing serving African leaders to enjoy immunity from prosecution for war crimes, genocide, and war against humanity.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto as well as Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, have been accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by the ICC.

Dr. Jonathan stated this on Saturday in an address at the Extraordinary Session of African Union Heads of State and Government, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Opponents of the kind of amendment sought by President Jonathan, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, say granting such immunity would mean giving permission to African leaders to commit war crimes.

Read President Jonathan’s full speech below.

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN AT THE EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF AFRICAN UNION HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN ADDIS ABABA, OCTOBER 12, 2013

Mr. Chairman,

Madam Chairperson of the Commission,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to participate in this meeting today on the subject of Africa’s relationship with the International Criminal Court.

Mr. Chairman,

While the work of the International Criminal Court is immensely useful for the achievement of a world without crimes against humanity, genocide and other acts of impunity, it would be fair to say that in Africa today, the wave of democratization has engendered greater commitment to the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights.

REVEALED: Gruesome Videos Of Syrian Chemical Gas Attack

President Barack Obama has been showing an officially-verified collection of 13 graphic videos to lawmakers that depict the horrors of the chemical gas attacks in Syria in behind-closed-door briefings - as he lobbies to win approval for his plan to use military force against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
The videos show the panic that set in as people began experiencing the effects of chemical nerve agents, specifically sarin gas, which can cause convulsions, respiratory failure and ultimately death.
In all, 1,429 people were killed in the vicious attack, including at least 426 children.
The attack allegedly was carried out by the Assad regime, and U.S. lawmakers are now deciding whether a military response is warranted.
The Videos obtained by CNN show glimpse into evidence for Syria intervention...See them after the cut...

GRAPHIC CONTENT: Assad’s Soldiers Stripped, Bound And Executed On Camera By Syrian Rebels (PHOTOS and VIDEO)

Video footage has emerged which shows the moment seven of President Bashar al-Assad's Syrian soldiers are executed on camera by rebels fighting to overthrow the regime.
The soldiers are stripped, bound and pushed to the ground where a number of rebels stand over them pointing guns at their bodies. Some bear vicious injuries on their backs and arms.
Just before they are killed, the ring-leader Abdul Samad Issa - known as 'The Uncle', recites a poem before he fires the first bullet.

US Senate Panel Authorizes The Use Of Military Force Against Syria

Senate panel has voted to give President Barack Obama the authority to use military force against Syria in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack...see the graphic photos HERE.
The vote Wednesday was 10-7, with one senator voting present. The full Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week.

Photos Of Egyptian Protesters Pushing An Armoured Police Van Off A Bridge As British Cameraman Is Shot And Killed

This is the horrifying moment an armoured police vehicle was pushed off a bridge by protestors in Cairo today.  

The van plunged off the 6th October Bridge before demonstrators attacked the wreckage. It is not known how many people were on board and how many people survived the fall, but bloodied men were seen lying around the van moments afterwards. Unconfirmed reports on Twitter claimed five were dead.

The dramatic pictures show the van being ambushed by dozens of people before crashing through a protective fence on the bridge. It then falls upside down and then rolls onto its roof as it lands. Blood can then be seen on the ground as nearby police officers pull injured men out of the crushed vehicle. 

British Sky cameraman Mick Deane (pictured above) was shot and killed as he covered the clashes yesterday.

Mick Deane, 61 was married with two sons.

More pics after the cut...

Syria Conflict Is Now A Full-Blown Civil War... Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross said Sunday it now considers the conflict in Syria to be a full-blown civil war, meaning international humanitarian law applies throughout the country.