Congress of Jurists Condemns Iraqi Executions, Calls for Worldwide Protests

The First international congress of Jewish lawyers and jurists adopted a resolution here today condemning the Iraqi executions as “barbaric mass execution.” The congress, before adjourning, sent a copy of the resolution to United Nations Secretary-General U Thant.

“The international’ congress of hundreds of lawyers and jurists from all corners of the free world convening in Jerusalem devoted its first session on the subject of human rights to the executions in Baghdad of 15 men without proper trial and in violation of all fundamental human rights,” the message stated. “The congress expresses its horror and indignation at this barbaric mass execution and calls on the world legal community in particular and civilized mankind in general to rise in protest and effectively outlaw such uncivilized and inhuman methods and to have the rule of law upheld everywhere.”

The conference opened Monday under the auspices of Minister of Justice Ya’acov S. Shapiro. It was convened by the Israeli Bar Association. Prof. Rene Cassin of France delivered the keynote address on “The Struggle for Human Rights and its Implications.” Dr. A. Zeltner, president of the Tel Aviv district court and chairman of the Israeli Committee of Human Rights, lectured on the contribution of Jewish law to the modern codes.

The congress established the International Organization of Jewish lawyers and Jurists which today unanimously elected former United States Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg as its first chairman. Mr. Goldberg, who served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson, has accepted the honorary post. The organization said it would establish headquarters in Jerusalem and open branches all over the world.