Rt Hon Tony Blair MP
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA

Dear Prime Minister:

We write regarding the imperative of assuring justice for crimes committed by the previous Iraqi leadership. In particular, we are greatly concerned by reports that Britain might advocate that Iraqis in custody who may bear the greatest responsibility for the most serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, could avoid criminal liability in exchange for information regarding the location of Saddam Hussein or weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

In outlining the reasons why Britain and its coalition partners went to war in Iraq, your government often cited human rights abuses committed by Saddam Hussein's regime and the need to hold the perpetrators accountable. If the coalition authorities were to offer amnesty deals to those Iraqis most responsible for these crimes, it would be a violation of that pledge and an affront to the victims.

Ensuring justice for past abuses is also essential for building respect for the rule of law and securing peace and stability in Iraq. Most Iraqis would view a policy of selective justice, in which the only officials prosecuted are those with no useful information to provide, as unprincipled and hypocritical. Such a policy would breed profound cynicism about the professed intentions of the coalition authorities. Above all, allowing the Iraqi leadership to escape accountability would undermine efforts to deter future atrocities. It would signal that justice for some of the world's most heinous crimes could be brushed aside for reasons of convenience.

We have long believed that the best option for bringing senior Iraqi leaders to justice for past crimes is a tribunal established by the United Nations Security Council. A United Nations tribunal is more likely to be perceived as impartial, fair, and independent. Cutting advance deals with mass murderers will only undermine the authority and independence of such a tribunal.

We do not suggest that reduced sentences can never be offered in exchange for information or cooperation. However, it is essential that the crimes of the Iraqi leadership not be excused. Deals that would result in amnesty for those most responsible for past crimes should not be made under any circumstances.

The latest reports of Britain's willingness to offer immunity for crimes against humanity continue a disturbing trend. On 19 March, we wrote to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to object to his extraordinary proposal, made on the floor of the House of Commons, of "a United Nations Security Council resolution that would provide Saddam Hussein with immunity from prosecution."

As the occupying powers in Iraq, Britain and its allies have assumed important legal obligations under international humanitarian law for the protection and welfare of Iraq's people, including ensuring public order. Those obligations are inconsistent with signaling to would-be killers that deals can be cut to avoid accountability for their crimes. In offering justifications for military action against Iraq, Britain and its allies have raised high expectations - among people in Iraq and around the world - for the restoration of the rule of law and respect for human rights. These expectations will be dashed if mass murderers are allowed to walk free. For the purpose of restoring peace and stability in Iraq and upholding the demands of justice, we urge Britain to refrain from allowing those most responsible for past crimes to avoid punishment in exchange for information.

Sincerely,