Justice

Can there be true justice if courts ignore the interests of victims?

The international courts and tribunals in The Hague deal with some of the darkest pages of human history. Yet all too frequently the rights of the survivors of these mass atrocities – whether they are from the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone or the Democratic Republic of the Congo – are sidelined.

The court focuses on the rights of the accused and on bringing the trial to a swift conclusion. There is a growing consensus that the needs of victims need to be addressed, but opinions differ on how this should be achieved.

The Yugoslavia Tribunal has a programme of its own for victims in Bosnia Herzegovina. One of the participants is Kadira Hodzic, who lost her son and her husband in the 1995 Srebrenica genocide:

"This is very little justice for us, the victims. I am surprised it took so long to prove this was a crime. It is so obvious and the punishments have been so minimal. The only justice is that it has finally been confirmed as genocide. However not enough people have been prosecuted. Many of the criminals who were on Potocari are still here, I know them."

I think as Obama continues to do well – we will see more and more crazy stuff perpetrated by 1% of 1% of the craziest of this country.

this happened about 40 miles from my home. . .it’s more proof that racism in this country is just as strong and virulent as ever; it’s merely sublimated.  me, ah’m jes’ the po’ ol’ sonuvashahcroppah. . .but i remember a few things. . .

think about it. . .immigration was no problem, except in california in the early-mid 90’s. . .we laughed it off. . .and then came the big boogeyman:  911. 

people got scared, as they always do.  everyone who wasn’t white-and many who werewere targeted.  and the most visible nonwhite population includes hispanic immigrants.  fifteen years ago it was calculated that the southwestincluding texaswould be precominantly hispanic around this time. 

since virtually no terrorists have been foundnone that can be proven as terrorists-nonwhites make great scapegoats.  and the good old boy gets to indulge in all his racial fantasies.  911 allowed everyone to indulge their hidden racism.  muslims. . .hispanics. . .blacks. . .

it won’t end for at least another 400 years. . .

PS: Recently, 7 Serbian soldiers were convicted for their involvement in Srebrenica genocide.

hmm

Obama’s comments on Australia’s prime minister were hilarious. I doubt Cheney will absorb much feedback. He’s not that kind of guy.