Speakers at the round-table on Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). Baher Amin / The Peninsula
DOHA: Qatar University College of Law (QU-LAWC) yesterday held a roundtable on Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act - JASTA - and its implications in the region.
Professor of Public International Law Dr Ibraheem Al-Anani said that the law encroaches into other countries’ sovereignty. States are not responsible for the actions of its citizens unless countries are behind these actions, he added.
It is also difficult to put a country under trial with another country’s law. He stressed that the definition of terrorism is very broad and makes it difficult to specify punishments.
“JASTA is against judicial justice, and the most dangerous thing is that it was placed only for political purpose, because it states that the lawsuit can be stopped in case there are some talks or negotiations with another country, which means its purpose is political.”
“JASTA law was first presented by a Texas senator last year, and was approved by the US Senate in May this year and brought to the House of representatives, and is considered the only law which has been approved by all senators due to its humanitarian aspect which is sympathising with the victims. However, the secret behind the approval of the law was the election campaign, which contributed to the speeding up of its adoption, although other financial and political reasons are there in the minds of American legislators,” said Director and LAWC Associate Professor of Constitutional Law Dr Hassan Al-Sayed.
The discussion was held in conjunction with the Gulf Studies Center (GSC) at QU College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS).
GSC Director Dr Abdullah Baabood said, “This event aligns with GSC’s mission to address issues that are related to changes at the regional and international level, and which have an impact on the Gulf countries.” He noted that the approval of JASTA law by the US Congress came at a time when the region undergoes geopolitical tensions and challenges.
The event aimed to raise community awareness on the basic principles of international law, and to identify the various frameworks of international relations at the regional and international level.
It brought together academics, practitioners, researchers and students to discuss the adequacy of the provisions of JASTA law with the rules and principles of international law.
The programme featured an introductory session on ‘Highlights of the JASTA Law’ by LAWC Teaching Assistant and Externship Programme Coordinator Fatma Almesleh. It also included discussion sessions moderated by LAWC Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of International Law Dr Yasser Alkhakailah.
They discussed issues related to ‘Bending legal force of JASTA law in International law perspective’ and ‘JASTA Law from Constitutional law perspective.’
Other topics included ‘Sovereign immunity theory and its importance in international law,’ ‘Legal binding effect of JASTA law in light of international law provisions,’ ‘Waiver of sovereign immunity and its consequences,’ ‘JASTA law and constitutional procedures,’ ‘JASTA law and its conformity with international obligations’ and ‘The impact of JASTA law on alliances in the region (political view)?’
