The pro-tem members of the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal (KLWCT) want this mechanism to be one that is recognised and unquestionably authoritative in international law.

Pro-tem chairperson Abdul Kadir Sulaiman said the aim is to form a 'citizen tribunal' that could pass legally binding judgements.

"It is our desire to form a citizen tribunal. Therefore we must have a properly constituted tribunal," the former Federal Court judge said.

"We must be backed up with sound authority that can help establish this citizen tribunal."

According to international law, a 'treaty tribunal' is only recognised and established after a treaty is signed by the states involved. Only states, not individuals, are allowed to pursue legal action.

Counsel for the victims and witnesses who submitted their petition to the KL War Crimes Commission, Dr Yaacob Hussain Merican, cited the Russell Tribunal as authority for the KLWCT to follow.

"The Russell tribunal was set up to try the US against their war crimes during the Vietnam War. It was the first of its kind because the citizens and civil society were demanding justice from a country," he said.

The Russell Tribunal was a public international body organised by British philosopher and pacifist Bertrand Russell. However, its committee was largely ignored in the US and failed to achieve any international legal standing.

Acceptance sought

Abdul Kadir said the KL mechanism it is not about punishing those guilty of war crimes.

"It is not about punishing (US president George W) Bush, (British Prime Minister Tony) Blair and (Australian Prime Minister John) Howard. Our opinion must be heard and accepted and said to be of sound law," he said.

The three-tier structure consists of a six-member commission, a nine-member tribunal and a eight-member legal team. The majority of those involved are Malaysian lawyers and former judges, but also includes former US Attorney-General Ramsay Clark.

Another member of the tribunal is constitutional law professor Prof Shad Saleem Faruqi, who said the KLWCT can learn from past tribunals.

"I think we can rely on other tribunals and if we decide to try, we can most certainly rely on the conscience of the international community," he added.

Also present were lawyers Dr Sofiah Jewa, Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, Mohd Noor Yahya and former judge Mohd Saari Yusoff.

The three-day anti-war international conference organised by Perdana Global Peace Organisation ended today. The exhibition will continue until Feb 11.