In the late aftermath of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, several Dutch political parties called for a parliamentary investigation into way the Dutch executive formed its official position of politically supporting the war. Questions were raised, such as: on which grounds, based on which (and whose) information did the executive conclude that the invasion was justified and necessary?
Whereas the call for parliamentary investigation was initially blocked by the parties of the government coalition in the Lower House, political pressure from the Dutch Senate caused the executive to opt for an independent review of the events that led to the 2003 decision. This choice of an independent review instead of a proper parliamentary enquiry raises questions with regard to the nature of parliamentary involvement in the preparation and control and military missions.
Intrigued by these questions, the Montesquieu Institute Maastricht will host a conference on 23 October 2009 on the topic of parliamentary control with regards to military missions. At this conference the issue of parliamentary involvement will be discussed from a legal as well as a political point of view. Among the speakers are renowned scholars in the field law and political sciences, as well as current or former members of several parliaments.
Click here to read the full announcement and the programme (in pdf).
The Montesquieu Institute Maastricht is pleased to welcome you on 23 October 2009 at the Faculty of Law in Maastricht. Participation is free of charge, lunch will be provided. Registration is required; please send an email to: wytze.vanderwoude@maastrichtuniversity.nl
For more information, click here.
This conference takes place in the light of the Week of Democracy
