WOCIT HP E-Outline-wocit.htm
25 March 2007 (2006-01-12)

Welcome to our WOCIT web site!!

OUTLINE OF THE WORLD CITIZENS' TRIBUNAL
Our world tribunal includes in it aspects of world direct democracy,
advocating interests of all human-beings

In order to contribute to the settlement of international conflicts and establishment of peace the World Citizens' Court was established as a permanent and universal court in Sapporo in 2000. It was renamed "World Citizens' Tribunal" (WOCIT) in 2002.
　　　The WOCIT is a democratic neutral NGO which takes into account the multilateral interests of all human-beings as well as national interests. All the world citizens as well as Heads of State, deputies of self-governing communities may be a member of the WOCIT, all the members are able to express one's opinion.
　　 The WOCIT has Courts of several kinds, which will deliver Decisions, Advisory Opinions, or Urgent Measures. On the other hand, one of principal organs of the WOCIT is the General Assembly which is able to play a great political role, presenting a Conciliation draft to contesting parties or Proposal to some or all nations. At present the General Assembly is becoming more and more active.
　　　 In order to create World where there will not be any war, the WOCIT is going to cooperate with parliamentarians and citizens worldwide and with nonpartisanship as well as with world federalists, world or regional unions of Members of Parliament who long for permanent peace.

Specific features of the WOCIT

　　　 I.   In the WOCIT Deputies of the General Assembly, Judges of the Courts and other members work voluntarily as in many NGOs. Common people is playing daily roles in our WOCIT. It is a typical international NGO in a judicial field.

II.  It is noticiable that nowadays the General Assembly, in which not only common citizens but also Heads of State, Members of Parliament and Assemblymen of self-governing communities may take part, plays also very important roles, presenting Proposal to nations. One of the principal functions of the General Assembly is 'to make efforts to settle international disputes and establish world peace, cooperating with State Governments and international organizations.'

�V．It is epoch-making that not only specialists in law but also hundreds of thousands Citizen Judges can participate in the process of passing legal judgment. Also a lot of jurists may take part in the elections of the Judges who will draft a judgement.

�W．The World Citizens' Tribunal is stronger in a sense than the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as the WOCIT is able to throw its net of jurisdiction upon any State-violator.  

�X．Common people who are not party in contention are high in position. They are able to bring a legal action even incongnito against a person who seems to violate international law.

�Y．We would like to call attention to the fact that the WOCIT is a peaceful court of sound judgement. When receiving a legal petition, the WOCIT does not enter formal judicial proceedings immediately.First of all, it will try good offices, mediation and conciliation and during litigation propose compromises to parties in contention 7 times.

�Z. Internet will be used at its maximum efficiency. During deliberation in the General Aseembly or litigation opinions shall be public. Judges' opinions and draft of judgment will be opened to the whole world through the Interrnet. So, it cannot be compared with the secrecy of the ICJ.

CASES SUBMITTED TO THE WOCIT
AND ITS EXTERNAL ACTIONS

　　 1. The case concerning islands dispute among Japan, Russia and Ainu people
　　　The First Facts-Examining Report is shown in the WOCIT web site. Then in 2006 and 2007 the General Assembly presented a PROPOSAL to Russian and Japanese Governments to the effect that if they could not settle the long standing territorial problem, it would be better for them to submit it the Internatinal Court of Justice.（en jp ru）

2. The case concerning Kashmir among India, Pakistan and China
　　　In the beginning of the 21 century critical situation took place 3 times wnen the Governments of India and Pakistan might use nuclear weapons. And at each time the Interim Court of the WOCIT requested the leaders of Pakistan and India not to use nuclear weapons.（the first  the second  the third）

3. The case concerning sovereignity over Paracel and Spratly islands
4. The case concerning military confrontation between Congo and Rwanda
5. The case concerning military Kosovo problem
6. The case concerning Falkland islands problem between Argentina and England
7. The case concerning Takeshima Islands between Japan and Korea
8. The case concerning Ainu peoples's indigenous rights
5. The case concerning the Kosovo conflict
6. The case concering the Ealkland islands between Argentina and England
7. The case concerning Takeshima islands between Japan and Korea
8. The case concerning the Ainu peoples' Indigenous rights
9. The case concerning Russian's human rights in the republics of the former USSR
10. The case concerning support for Iraq
11. The case concernig the Iraq war
　　　 In 2004 the General Assembly of the WOCIT sent message to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Heads of State in the World and Parliamentarians in the World to the effect thaｔ the righ of self-determination of the Iraq people had to be respected and the United Nations, all States, Self-governing communities and Citizens all over the World should cooperate with each other to establish rule by law on the World. (See en jp)
　　　After former President Saddam Husein was executed by hanging, 25 January 2007 WOCIT President Rikio Kaneko made a statement that crimes against humanity, which was committed by Saddam Hussein, should not overlooked, it is not fair, however, in a sense that aggressiveness of USA's military attack was not examined, only the defeated was tried(jp）　

　　　Now we would like to welcome not only world common citizens, but also Heads of State, Parliametarians, Assemblymen of self-governing community and specialists who long for rule of law and permanent world peace (See en, jp, fr, es, ru, ch np)

Everyone can bring to the WOCIT an acton
concerning a problem in international law.