Justicia
There is never such a thing as too much justice, only too little. Argentine courts did the right thing and condemned Miguel Etchecolatz, 77, to a life sentence for his role in the disappearances, torture and killings in and around Buenos Aires during Argentina's "dirty war" (1976-1983). He was tried and convicted, finally, after Argentina scrapped the amnesty laws first put in place by Alfonsin after the fall of the generals.
Etchecolatz ran some of the most vicious detention centers in Argentina, including the horrific clandestine centers in La Plata, into which disappeared thousands. Etchecolatz is currently serving a life sentence for stealing the children of the disappeared. This was a frequent occurance, one which is discussed in the Argentine film, "The Official Story."
There is a cautionary message for the Bush Administration in the conviction of Etchecolatz, who had committed "crimes against humanity," according to the presiding judge. That messages is that there is no statute of limitations on crimes against humanity. Etchecolatz, in his defense, claims he was acting in a time of war.
The Bush Administration, by declaring the war on terror as endless and without borders, has established a wartime mentality in their minds. Like Etchecolatz, they hope to benefit from immunity, which they are currently trying to set up.
But BushCo needs to take heed.
Justice is not always swift, but eventually it will come, given the right circumstances.
And, if I am lucky, it will come in my lifetime. I never thought I would see someone from the Junta answer for what he had done, but I have.
(read the rest)
Viva Argentina
Etchecolatz ran some of the most vicious detention centers in Argentina, including the horrific clandestine centers in La Plata, into which disappeared thousands. Etchecolatz is currently serving a life sentence for stealing the children of the disappeared. This was a frequent occurance, one which is discussed in the Argentine film, "The Official Story."
There is a cautionary message for the Bush Administration in the conviction of Etchecolatz, who had committed "crimes against humanity," according to the presiding judge. That messages is that there is no statute of limitations on crimes against humanity. Etchecolatz, in his defense, claims he was acting in a time of war.
The Bush Administration, by declaring the war on terror as endless and without borders, has established a wartime mentality in their minds. Like Etchecolatz, they hope to benefit from immunity, which they are currently trying to set up.
But BushCo needs to take heed.
Justice is not always swift, but eventually it will come, given the right circumstances.
And, if I am lucky, it will come in my lifetime. I never thought I would see someone from the Junta answer for what he had done, but I have.
(read the rest)
Viva Argentina
