Suspension of Spanish Judge: Victory for Impunity ?

A Spanish Judge, Baltasar Garzón, 54, was suspended for allegedly abusing his authority - by launching an investigation into "crimes against humanity" committed during the Spanish Civil War and the dictatorial era of General Francisco Franco. Judge Garzón launched the probe, ignoring widespread criticism from right-wing organisations and Franco supporters. He made it his mission to investigate the forced disappearances of more than 100,000 people in Spain. Right-wing organizations criticized Garzón for overstepping his judicial power, and a complaint was launched against him. Under mounting pressure, the judge suspended the investigation, but the complaint against him led to his suspension, on 14 May 2010. Is the suspension of judge Garzón, a victory for impunity?

Baltasar Garzón is famous for his role in high profile international investigations into grave crimes.

In the 1990s, he launched an investigation into atrocities committed by Augusto Pinochet, a former Chilean dictator. This investigation culminated in the arrest of Pinochet - when the former military ruler visited London in 1998. It is worthy to note, that Garzón issued an international arrest warrant for the dictator, under the principle of Universal jurisdiction - a principle whereby some grave crimes can be tried anywhere - irrespective of where they were committed

Garzón was also behind the arrest and trial of 24 al-Qaeda operatives in 2005, and the conviction of an ex-naval officer from Argentina, in Spain, for crimes against humanity.

As a Spanish judge, Baltasar Garzón sent a strong message in favor of international criminal law, with a considerable amount of success in international investigations. Unfortunately, an attempt to investigate "crimes against humanity" committed at home, earned him a suspension.

There has never been an investigation into untold atrocities committed during the Franco era in Spain. This is partly because in 1977, parliament granted amnesty for the atrocities. Despite the amnesty, many questions about the crimes, remain unanswered and many citizens are longing for justice. This explains why Baltasar Garzón enjoys the support of people of conscience in Spain and abroad.

In Spain, Garzón enjoys the support of left wing organizations, and family members of Franco-era victims; many of whom need answers. No doubt, there were demonstrations against the judge's suspension.

The suspension is widely seen as the end of a commendable career, as well as a victory for impunity. Judge Garzón lashed out against impunity and represented a threat to perpetrators of atrocities against humanity. Garzón helped deliver justice to victims of grave crimes, both in Spain and abroad.

*Photo from Wikipedia

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Stop killing Ahmadis in Pakistan

The Ahmadis, are members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The Ahmadis believe they are Muslims, but orthodox Muslims think otherwise. This is the case because the Ahmadis do not believe that the Prophet Mohammed was the final prophet; they believe that the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1839–1908), was the "Awaited One", foretold by Prophet Mohammed. In other words, the Ahmadis do not believe in the "finality of prophethood." It follows. therefore, that in Pakistan, the Ahmadis make up a religious minority community. They face untold discrimination, persecution and killings - simply because their belief is considered to be flawed. In Pakistan, Ahmadis are up against threats, violence and killings, engineered by Islamist extremists. The Pakistani government should take immediate steps to stop the killing of Ahmadis.

According to Human Rights Watch - on 28 May 2010, Islamist extremist militants attacked two Ahmadiyya mosques -Baitul Nur Mosque and Darul Zikr mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. The attack left 94 people dead and many injured. On 30 May 2010, militants attacked an Intensive Care unit - where the victims of the previous attack were being treated. This time, 12 people were killed - mostly police and hospital staff.

No natural person should be killed or face persecution threats and violence, because of religious views. The killing of Ahmadis in Pakistan, and the impunity surrounding the killings, should be stopped by the government. Repeated attacks and threats against the Ahmadis, highlight religious intolerance in Pakistan, as well as the government's failure to bring perpetrators to justice.

It is worth mentioning that laws in Pakistan are discriminatory against religious minorities, and legalize persecution of Ahmadis. The Penal Code, for example, prohibits anyone from “indirectly or directly posing as a Muslim.” This, in my mind, targets the Ahmadis - who profess to be Muslims.

In Pakistan, blasphemy is a capital crime, punishable with a death penalty! As mentioned earlier, the Ahmadis believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the "Awaited one". In Pakistans, this belief is considered to be blasphemous. Consequently, numerous Ahmadis are charged under the Blasphemy Law and jailed.

It is true, that by failing to stop the killing of Ahmadis, prosecute perpetrators and repeal the repugnant Blasphemy Law - that discriminates against Ahmadis, the government of Pakistan has "emboldened the extremists" in Pakistan and worldwide.

Photo by CharlesFred

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Israel: Right to defend and Secure Borders?

May 31, 2010 went down in history as the day Israeli naval forces intercepted a flotilla (small fleet) of ships in international waters. The flotilla was bound for Gaza and was determined to break the Gaza blockade - in a bid to deliver humanitarian aid to a people in need. According to Aljazeera, at least 19 people were killed and many wounded (UN reports that 9 people were killed) when armed Israeli commandos descended on one of the ships - the Mavi Marmara. The question is - does the storming of the flotilla have anything to do with Israel's right to defend itself and secure its borders?

You would agree that over the years, Israel has repeatedly asserted its right to defend itself and secure its borders. This, no doubt, is Israel's famous justification for using excessive force in military operations that more often than not result in civilian casualties.

Like many people, you are probably wonder why the government of Israel is so suspicious and "obsessed" with defending and securing its borders. To feed your curiosity, I did a little research and found a video clip that clears the doubts. WATCH...



Israel unconditionally has the right to defend and secure its borders. But this right comes with obligations to respect basic principles of international law.

Since Israeli commandos intercepted the flotilla, Israel has been on the headlines - for all the wrong reasons. The international community has condemned the action, with strong words from Palestine, Iran, Turkey, France, Britain, Italy, Germany, just to name a few. The European Union, Arab League and the Vatican also issued statements against the attack. Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, was "shocked" by the tragedy and condemned Israel's action.

It is worth mentioning that the White House was more cautious in its statement: "The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy."

Personally, I understand Israel's security concerns and respect its right to defend and secure its borders. But the flotilla incident left me with no doubt that Israel used disproportionate force against humanitarians in international waters. Israel should be held accountable! No civilian should die on a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to a people in need. Israel should exercise restraint in the assertion of its right to defend itself and secure its borders.

It is fair to say - the activists would have simply used "authorised channels" to deliver the much needed aid to Gaza. The loss of innocent lives was preventable.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has ordered an investigation into the flotilla raid.

UPDATE - UN Report: Israel violated international law during flotilla raid.

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