The Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal started its hearing against former US president George Bush and former British prime minister Tony Blair in the Malaysian federal capital.
This is the first time that war crimes charges are heard against the two former heads of states in compliance with due legal process.
The Kuala Lumpur War Commission said both Bush and Blair had participated in the formulation of executive orders and directives to exclude the applicability of all international conventions and laws.
This include the Geneva Convention, Convention against Torture, Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Charter in relations to the wars launched by the US and Britain in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This hearing comes after two years of investigation by the Commission which heard shocking testimonials from war victims.
One complainant told the commission in 2009 that he was detained for six years in Guantamo Bay on mistaken identity, tortured and subjected to inhumane treatment.
An Iraqi woman prisoner said she was used as a human shield while being transported on a helicopter by being placed near the open doors.
The US and Britain have repeatedly said the so-called war against terror is targeted at terrorists.
The tribunal would adjudicate and evaluate the evidence presented on facts and law and is presided by seven judges from Malaysia and overseas.
This tribunal would decide next Tuesday as to whether or not former US president George Bush and former British prime minister Tony Blair committed war crimes. If found guilty the tribunal would lobby their respective governments to moot internal investigations or charge them in the international court." (emphasis added)
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