DICTATORS ON THE RUN PART 11
DICTATORS ON THE RUN PART 11
BINNEH S MINTEH
B.SC INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
M.SC CANDIDATE GLOBAL AFFAIRS (INTERNATIONAL LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS)
In January of this year, a story captioned “Dictators on the run” was ran in most of our beloved forums, highlighting, dictators indicted by international tribunals to stand trial for genocide, torture and executions. A synopsis about former dictators, who could be held accountable for crimes against humanity, was published for our wide readership.
Benneh S Minteh
However, it appears as today, Dictators and repressive leaders are still on the run worldwide. Apart from the extradition request of Former Chilean Dictator General Pinochet by British lord judges in 1998, which other dictators became an international limelight? Yes indeed, the civilize world witnessed not only the dragging of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein before a competent court of jurisdiction, but also Former Liberian President Charles Taylor before an International Tribunal in Freetown Sierra-Leone. These are historic events of transnational civil society covered by the International media, and even our younger generation, can attest to it, as an undisputable fact of life. It is a great lesson for the civilize world, as we should no longer harbor cruel and inhumane leaders in our midst. Which court has jurisdiction over all such crimes? What is a Crime against humanity? And are dictators still on the run world wide?
The international criminal court in the first place has the jurisdiction over all such crimes and they include the following:
a) The crime of genocide
b) Crimes against humanity
c) War Crimes
d) The Crime of aggression.
A crime against humanity according to Article 7 under the Jurisdiction and admissibility of the International Criminal Court is defined as follows;
“For the purpose of this statute,, crime against humanity means any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:
a) Murder
b) Extermination
c) Enslavement
d) Deportation or forcible transfer of population
e) Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law.
f) Torture;
g) Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any form of sexual violence of comparable gravity.”
Dictators and repressive leaders can therefore not claim amnesty, after fully knowing such conventions and grossly violating them. Interestingly they end up being on the run, but how far can they run, and where in the civilize world can they hide? It is indeed true that some are still on the run and hide. Notorious ones like Radavan Karavich and his Generals are on the loose in Serbia, but how much longer can they hide? That is the good question, and the answer to that is, sooner or later they shall be unveiled and handed over to face justice.
There therefore is still a profound commitment in the underlying norms, principles, rules and ethics of the civilize International community, and such efforts are as result of all global citizens of transnational civil society. Dictators will continue to remain on the run, on a short note. Today, a United Nations body has put more fire on the case of former Chadian President Hussein Habre, who is languishing in Senegal with the hope of eluding justice. According to reports from the international media (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4999106.stm)
“A United Nations Committee against Torture said Senegal had broken International human rights rules by not dealing with Mr. Habre for 15 yrs”. This UN body has given Senegal 90 days to either handover the former leader to the Belgian Court, or face trial.
What does the most recent action by the United Nations Body, for former Chadian Leader to face trial portend? Are today’s International conventions just cheap ones? Will former leaders go unpunished, and not accountable for crimes against humanity committed whiles in office?
Understanding, the nature of crimes committed by all such former leaders, should permit us as humans to calibrate our responses rationally in ensuring a proper dispensation of justice. It is not only real progress by transnational civil society, but a signal to all other repressive leaders in the civilized International community.
President Wade and the African Union therefore have a very important stake in this particular case. They must act now to end the culture of impunity on the continent. As the continent continue to be ravaged by war lords and repressive leaders, the mechanism of setting an example on leaders who commit all such crimes must be put in place.
It is therefore strongly recommended that, the African Union quickly forms an African Tribunal with the technical assistance from the United Nation and other donor countries, or hand over the former leader to the court that indicted him. Where Charles Taylor is handed over, why not Hussein Hebre? Africa and the rest of the world will only become a better and safe place, when tyrants and dictators no longer have room in our midst.
LONG LIVE FREEDOM JUSTICE AND THE RULE OF LAW. GOD BLESS THE CIVILIZE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
Binneh s Minteh
Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 (Archive on Tuesday, May 30, 2006)
Posted by PANDERRYMBAI Contributed by PANDERRYMBAI
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Current Rating: 4.40 Rating: 5 He can never use the State house as a sanctuary. He must certainly go and will certainly face a court God Willing. Rating: 5 No wonder, the Coupist and Dictator Jammeh wants to stay in power by all means necessary. He is using the State House as a refuge from trial Rating: 3 Jammeh is an asshole and needs to be send to jail Rating: 5 Time for us to be on our feet Rating: 5 am not a gambianall these killing create problems only the self fish suppor jammeh but if he sunk them they repent Rating: 3 Jammeh and the humble greatful Gambians Shall be in peace & blessed as long as Allah is with them! May the ungreatful Gambians and evil perish Rating: 3 well done minteh, u r certainly a gud son of kambia.keep it up man... Rating: 5 This is just great Rating: 5 Minteh just continue to be
professional and ignore words like below. Keep it up. Rating: 3 Oh to see another bastard, who is also miss lead by his half knowledge. Minteh is a bastard, God punish him Rating: 5 Fantastic!! Rating: 5 Superb!! Rating: 5 Please leave this brother alone. he not showing any qualification but da truth Rating: 3 It u hav any qualifications to show go ahead and do it. Benneh, kip it really high up!!! Rating: 5 We.ll done Rating: 5 Thanks. Keep it up. Be objective as always. Rating: 3 Are you advertising ur self to president Jammeh? Do u want him to know that u earn such qualifications? Don't worry we will get u on board soon Mr Tr Rating: 5 Well Written.Am not Gambian but this is a lesson for President Dr Jammeh. Rating: 5 educating. thanks. Rating: 5
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