A Candle For Remembering
May this memorial candle lights up the historical past of our beloved Country: Rwanda, We love U so much. If Tears could build a stairway. And memories were a lane. I would walk right up to heaven. To bring you home again. No farewell words were spoken. No time to say goodbye. You were gone before I knew it And. Only Paul Kagame knows why. My heart still aches with sadness. And secret tears still flow. What It meant to lose you. No one will ever know.
Why did Kagame this to me?
Can't forget. He murdered my mother. What should be my reaction? FYI: the number of orphans in Rwanda has skyrocketed since the 1990's Kagame's invasion. Much higher numbers of orphans had and have no other option but joining FDLR fighters who are identified as children that have Lost their Parents in Kagame's Wars inside and outside of Rwanda.If someone killed your child/spouse/parent(s) would you seek justice or revenge? Deep insight: What would you do to the person who snuffed the life of someone I love beyond reason? Forgiving would bring me no solace. If you take what really matters to me, I will show you what really matters. NITUTIRWANAHO TUZASHIRA. IGIHE KIRAGEZE.If democracy is to sell one's motherland(Africa), for some zionits support, then I prefer the person who is ready to give all his live for his motherland. Viva President Putin!!!
RPF committed the unspeakable
The perverted RPF committed the UNSPEAKABLE.Two orphans, both against the Nazi world. Point is the fact that their parents' murder Kagame & his RPF held no shock in the Western world. Up to now, the Rwandan Hitler Kagame and his death squads still enjoy impunity inside and outside of Rwanda. What goes through someone's mind as they know RPF murdered their parents? A delayed punishment is actually an encouragement to crime, In Praise of the ongoing Bloodshed in Rwanda. “I always think I am a pro-peace person but if someone harmed someone near and dear to me, I don't think I could be so peaceful. I would like to believe that to seek justice could save millions of people living the African Great Lakes Region - I would devote myself to bringing the 'perp' along to a non-happy ending but would that be enough? You'd have to be in the situation I suppose before you could actually know how you would feel or what you would do”. Jean-Christophe Nizeyimana, Libre Penseur
Hutu Children & their Mums
Look at them ! How they are scared to death. Many Rwandan Hutu and Tutsi, Foreign human rights advocates, jounalists and and lawyers are now on Death Row Waiting to be murdered by Kagame and his RPF death squads. Be the last to know.
Almighty God :Justice for US
Hutu children's daily bread: Intimidation, Slavery, Sex abuses led by RPF criminals and Kagame, DMI: Every single day, there are more assassinations, imprisonment, brainwashing & disappearances. Do they have any chance to end this awful life?
Killing Hutus on daily basis
RPF targeted killings, very often in public areas. Killing Hutus on daily basis by Kagame's murderers and the RPF infamous death squads known as the "UNKNOWN WRONGDOERS"
RPF Trade Mark: Akandoya
Rape, torture and assassination and unslaving of hutu women. Genderside: Rape has always been used by kagame's RPF as a Weapon of War, the killings of Hutu women with the help of Local Defense Forces, DMI and the RPF military
The Torture in Rwanda flourishes
How torture flourishes across Rwanda despite extensive global monitoring
Fighting For Our Freedom?
We need Freedom, Liberation of our fatherland, Human rights respect, Mutual respect between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
01-06-2010
Appel à la libération immédiate et sans condition de Peter Erlinder, avocat américain arrêté à Kigali le 28 mai 2010
France - L’Observatoire International des Avocats exprime sa plus vive préoccupation concernant l’arrestation de l’avocat Peter Erlinder à Kigali, capitale du Rwanda, et appelle à sa libération immédiate et sans condition.
DESCRIPTION DE LA SITUATION
Peter Erlinder a été arrêté vendredi 28 mai 2010 pour « occultation et négation du génocide des Tutsi » perpétré en 1994, selon ce qu’ont annoncé le parquet général et la police.
Aux termes d'une loi votée en 2003 au Rwanda, « toute personne jugée coupable d'avoir nié ou minimisé de façon grossière le génocide, d'avoir tenté de justifier le génocide ou détruit des preuves afférentes est passible d'une peine allant de dix à vingt ans de prison ». Son interpellation est survenue quelques jours après que le gouvernement américain ait exprimé ses craintes quant à la liberté d'expression au Rwanda à l'approche du scrutin présidentiel du mois d'août, comme l'ont déjà fait des ONG de défense des droits de l'homme.
En effet, mardi 25 mai 2010, le secrétaire d’Etat adjoint aux Affaires africaines, Johnnie Carson a affirmé devant une commission parlementaire à Washington qu’« en quelques mois, le gouvernement a suspendu deux journaux, annulé le permis de travail et refusé le visa à une chercheuse de Human Rights Watch, et arrêté (puis libéré conditionnellement) la dirigeante de l'opposition Victoire Ingabire ».
APPEL DE L’OBSERVATOIRE INTERNATIONAL DES AVOCATS
L’Observatoire rappelle que l’indépendance des avocats est l’un des principaux baromètres de la démocratie et de l’effectivité de l’Etat de droit. Il attire l’attention des autorités rwandaises sur les Principes de base relatifs au rôle du barreau, qui ont été adoptés par le huitième Congrès des Nations Unies pour la prévention du crime et le traitement des délinquants qui s’est tenu à la Havane (Cuba) du 27 août au 27 septembre 1990.
Principe n°16 :
« Les pouvoirs publics veillent à ce que les avocats a) puissent s’acquitter de toutes leurs fonctions professionnelles sans entrave, intimidation, harcèlement ni ingérence indue ; b) puissent voyager et consulter leurs clients librement , dans le pays comme à l’étranger ; et c) ne fassent pas l’objet, ni ne soient menacés de poursuites ou de sanctions économiques ou autres pour toutes mesures prises conformément à leurs obligations et normes professionnelles reconnues et à leur déontologie. »
L’OBSERVATOIRE INTERNATIONAL DES AVOCATS DEMANDE :
A l’Organisation des Nations Unies, à la Commission européenne et aux autres organisations Internationales, d’intervenir d’urgence auprès des autorités nationales rwandaises afin d’obtenir la libération immédiate de Peter Erlinder et la garantie en toutes circonstances que les avocats rwandais et étrangers peuvent librement exercer leur mission de défense au Rwanda.
Aux autorités rwandaises, la remise en liberté immédiate et sans condition de Peter Erlinder. Les autorités rwandaises se doivent de garantir en toute circonstance qu’aucun avocat ne peut être poursuivi en raison des causes qu’il défend.
Aux ordres professionnels et organisations d’avocats, d’apporter leur soutien à la demande de libération de Peter Erlinder et de réaffirmer ainsi l’indépendance de l’avocat, celui-ci ne pouvant en aucun cas être assimilé à la cause qu’il défend.Appel disponible à l'adresse : http://www.observatoire-avocats.org/avocats-menaces/2010/06/01/me-peter-erlinder/
Call for immediate release of Peter Erlinder, American lawyer arrested in Kigali on 28th May 2010
The International Observatory for Lawyers expresses strong concern about the arrest of Peter Erlinder in Kigali, and call for his immediate release without any condition.
Description of the situation
Peter Erlinder is a lawyer and law professor in William Mitchell College of Law in St Paul, Minnesota, and works as the lead defense counsel for top genocide suspects at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha, Tanzania. He arrived in Kigali on 23th May 2010 to defend Victoire Ingabire, candidate for the next presidential elections in August 2010. She is accused of denying the genocide, collaborating with a terrorist organization and inciting ethnic hatred.
Peter Erlinder has been arrested on Friday 28th May 2010 for denying the 1994 genocide, according to the public Prosecutor and the police.
Under a 2003 law, persons condemned for denying or grossly minimizing genocide, attempting to justify genocide or destroy evidence related to it are liable to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 in prison.
The arrest comes days after the U.S. government expressed concerns about freedom of expression in the country ahead of August presidential polls, following similar criticism by international rights groups. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson affirmed that "in a period of months, the Government of Rwanda has suspended two newspapers, revoked the work permit and denied the visa of a Human Rights Watch researcher, and arrested (and subsequently released on bail) opposition leader Victoire Ingabire".
Appeal of the International Observatory for Lawyers
The International Observatory for Lawyers reminds that the independence of lawyers is a key barometer of democracy and the effectiveness of the rule of law. We draw attention of the authorities to Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers adopted by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, in Havana, Cuba, 27 August to 7 September 1990.
Principle 16:
“Governments shall ensure that lawyers ( a ) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; ( b ) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and ( c ) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.”
The International Observatory for Lawyers asks:
- To the Rwandan authorities, to release Peter Erlinder immediately. They must ensure all lawyers in all circumstances the free exercise of their defense mission.
- To the United Nations Organization, to the European Commission and others international organizations to intercede with the Rwanda national authorities on behalf of Mr. Peter Erlinder to invite them to take all necessary measures to lead to his release and to ensure him in all circumstances the free exercise of his defense mission, as well as all the others Rwandan and foreign lawyers in Ruanda.
- To professional organizations and lawyers associations, to provide their support to Mr. Peter Erlinder and to reaffirm in all circumstances, the free exercise of lawyers’ defense mission. http://www.observatoire-avocats.org/en/lawyers-under-threat/2010/06/01/peter-erlinder-rwanda/
Coordinatrice de l'Observatoire International des Avocats- OIA/ Coordinator of the International Observatory for Lawyers-IOL
Avocats Sans Frontières- France/ Lawyers Without Borders-France
8 rue du Prieuré - 31000 Toulouse
Tel ligne directe/direct line: +33 (0)5 34 31 78 79
Tel standard: +33 (0)5 34 31 17 83
Fax : +33 (0)5 34 31 17 84
Mail : observatoire@avocatssansfrontieres-france.org
Site internet/ web: http://www.observatoire-avocats.org/
***
Charlotte BENOIT (Ms.)
Coordinatrice de l'Observatoire International des Avocats- OIA/ Coordinator of the International Observatory for Lawyers-IOL
Avocats Sans Frontières- France/ Lawyers Without Borders-France
8 rue du Prieuré - 31000 Toulouse
Tel ligne directe/direct line: +33 (0)5 34 31 78 79
Tel standard: +33 (0)5 34 31 17 83
Fax : +33 (0)5 34 31 17 84
Mail : observatoire@avocatssansfrontieres-france.org
Site internet/ web: http://www.observatoire-avocats.org
The Truth can be buried and stomped into the ground where none can see, yet eventually it will, like a seed, break through the surface once again far more potent than ever, and Nothing can stop it. Truth can be suppressed for a "time", yet It cannot be destroyed. ==> Wolverine
Monday, May 31, 2010
Burundi:
(28 May 2010) - A group of 18 national, regional and international organizations working on Burundi today expressed concern that space for independent human rights reporting may be diminishing following the Burundian government’s decision to expel the Human Rights Watch (HRW) Burundi researcher from the country. The organizations call on the Burundian authorities to reverse their decision and ensure that the rights to freedom of expression are respected.
This attack on independent human rights reporting came just days before Burundi’s communal elections on 24 May, the first in a series of five elections that are to take place in 2010. The elections are a crucial moment in Burundi’s history, a country recovering from more than a decade of civil war.
In a letter to the HRW researcher, Ms Neela Ghoshal, on 18 May 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation informed Ms Ghoshal that her accreditation as HRW’s representative in the country was withdrawn. She was asked to immediately stop her activities and to leave the country by 5 June 2010.
In the letter, the authorities cited a recent HRW report on pre-election violence as the reason for their decision. According to the letter, the report was biased against the government and the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party. They alleged it failed to give sufficient attention to the authorities’ attempts to overcome human rights violations in the pre-electoral period.
HRW stated in a 19 May release that they stand by the research noting that it documents human rights abuses by different groups, not just the ruling party and that the research respected professional standards of objectivity.
“The decision by the authorities is not only an attack on one highly respected rights activist but on independent human rights work in Burundi.” said Hassan Shire Sheikh, executive director of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project. “Given the importance of ensuring credible and impartial rights monitoring, the decision is concerning and gives the wrong signals at this crucial time in the country’s history.”
Ms Ghoshal has worked in Burundi for almost three years and documented a range of rights violations from mob violence to police abuses. Ms Ghoshal has an excellent record of engagement and collaboration with other human rights organizations working in Burundi, collaboration which has proven time and again to be effective in helping to advance key rights in the country.
“Coming just weeks after the de-facto expulsion of HRW’s researcher in Rwanda, this development may signal a worrying trend for independent international rights reporting in the region,” said Véronique Aubert, Africa deputy director at Amnesty International. “The international community should act swiftly to condemn expulsions of international human rights workers and call on Burundian authorities to re-instate HRW’s work authorisation.”
Recommendations
- To the Burundian authoritiesEnsure that rights to freedom of expression are respected.
Reinstate the work authorisation of Human Rights Watch’s Burundi researcher, Neela Ghoshal.
- To the international community
Call on the Burundian authorities to re-instate the work authorization for Human Rights Watch’s Burundi researcher.
Background
This week’s decision follows steps taken by Burundian authorities during the pre-election period to restrict space for freedom of expression and civil society activity.
On 23 November 2009, the Minister of Interior annulled the legal registration of the Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society (FORSC), a respected civil society umbrella organization, citing irregularities in its registration application, an application previously approved by the same ministry in 2006. The ordinance banning the organization was subsequently suspended, but FORSC’s legal status has not been legally rectified.
Prominent Burundian human rights activist have faced harassment and acts of intimidation, including death threats during the pre-electoral campaign, as a result of their involvement in a campaign to ensure justice for the April 2009 assassination of anti-corruption activist, Ernest Manirumva, Vice President of Anti-corruption and Economic Malpractice Observatory (OLUCOME).
Days before the banning of FORSC in November 2009, FORSC’s President, Mr Pacifique Nininahazwe, received information of a potential plot to assassinate him. In March 2010, Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, president of the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Detained Persons (APRODH), and Gabriel Rufyiri, president of OLUCOME, stated they were under enhanced surveillance and warned of potential assassination plots against them.
Mr. Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, was summoned on 3 May 2010 by the prosecution to respond to questions about his work and involvement in the Ernest Manirumva campaign.
Supporting organisations :
Action by Christians against Torture Burundi (ACAT Burundi)
Action by Christians against Torture France (ACAT France)
Amnesty International (AI)
Civil Peace Service Programme Great Lakes (AGEH)
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Development and Peace
East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP)
EurAc (European Network for Central Africa)
Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society (FORSC)
Front Line
Interchurch Organisation for Development Cooperation (ICCO)
International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT)
International Refugee Rights Initiative
Ligue Iteka
Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Observatory of Government Action (OAG)
Oxfam International
Refugees International
Burundi : Il faut protéger le suivi indépendant de la situation des droits humains
Les autorités doivent revenir sur leur décision d’expulser une employée d’une organisation internationale de défense des droits humains
(28 mai 2010) Un groupe de 18 organisations nationales, régionales et internationales travaillant sur le Burundi a déclaré craindre une limitation de l’espace dédié au suivi indépendant de la situation des droits humains, le gouvernement ayant décidé d’expulser la chercheuse de Human Rights Watch au Burundi. Ces organisations appellent les autorités burundaises à revenir sur leur décision et à garantir le respect du droit à la liberté d’expression.
Cette attaque contre les activités indépendantes de suivi des droits humains intervient quelques jours seulement avant les élections municipales au Burundi, le 24 mai – les premières d’une série de cinq scrutins prévus en 2010. Ces élections sont un tournant dans l’histoire du Burundi, qui sort de plus de 10 années de guerre civile.
Dans une lettre adressée le 18 mai 2010 à la chercheuse de Human Rights Watch Neela Ghoshal, le ministre des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération internationale l’a informée du retrait de son agrément en tant que représentante de Human Rights Watch au Burundi. Il lui demandait de cesser immédiatement ses activités et de quitter le pays d'ici le 5 juin 2010.
Dans cette lettre, les autorités ont expliqué que leur décision était motivée par la publication récente d’un rapport de Human Rights Watch sur la violence dans la période préélectorale. Selon la lettre, ce rapport fait preuve d’un parti pris contre le gouvernement et le parti au pouvoir, le Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie au Burundi–Forces pour la défense de la démocratie (CNDD-FDD). La lettre continue que ce rapport ne prête pas suffisamment attention aux mesures prises par le gouvernement en vue de remédier aux atteintes aux droits humains émaillant la période préélectorale.
Dans un communiqué du 19 mai, Human Rights Watch a défendu son rapport, faisant valoir qu’il met en évidence des atteintes aux droits humains commises par divers groupes, et pas seulement par le parti au pouvoir, et que les recherches répondent aux normes professionnelles d’objectivité.
« La décision des autorités constitue non seulement une attaque contre une défenseure des droits humains très respectée, mais aussi contre le travail indépendant en faveur des droits humains au Burundi » a déclaré Mr Hassan Shire Sheikh, Directeur Exécutif du East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP). « Il est primordial d’assurer un suivi crédible et impartial de ces droits. De plus cette décision inquiétante délivre-t-elle un message néfaste au moment même où le Burundi se trouve à un tournant de son histoire ».
Neela Ghoshal travaille au Burundi depuis près de trois ans et a recueilli des informations sur tout un éventail de violations des droits humains – des enjeux liés à la justice collective aux exactions policières. Elle s’enorgueillit d’un excellent bilan en termes d’engagement et de collaboration avec d’autres organisations de défense des droits humains présentes au Burundi, collaboration qui s’est avérée à maintes reprises efficace pour faire progresser des droits essentiels dans le pays.
« Quelques semaines seulement après l’expulsion de facto de la chercheuse de Human Rights Watch au Rwanda, cette nouvelle mesure semble refléter une tendance préoccupante quant au suivi indépendant et international de la situation des droits humains dans la région » a indiqué Véronique Aubert, directrice adjointe du programme Afrique d'Amnesty International. « La communauté internationale doit réagir sans tarder en condamnant les expulsions d’employés d’organisations internationales de défense des droits humains et en demandant aux autorités du Burundi de rétablir l’autorisation de travail de Human Rights Watch».
Recommendations
- Aux autorités burundaises
Rétablir le permis de travail de la chercheuse de Human Rights Watch au Burundi, Neela Ghoshal.
- A la communauté internationale
Faire appel aux autorités burundaises afin qu’elles rétablissent le permis de travail de la chercheuse de Human Rights Watch.
Contexte
La décision prise cette semaine par les autorités burundaises fait suite à des mesures mises en place au cours de la période préélectorale pour restreindre la liberté d’expression et les activités de la société civile.
Le 23 novembre 2009, le Ministre de l’Intérieur a retiré son agrément au Forum pour le Renforcement de la Société Civile (FORSC), organisme respecté qui chapeaute plusieurs organisations burundaises représentant la société civile, invoquant des irrégularités dans sa demande d’enregistrement, lors même qu’elle avait été approuvée par le même ministère en 2006. La décision annulant l’agrément a par la suite été suspendue, mais le statut juridique du FORSC n’a pas été rectifié au niveau légal.
Par ailleurs, d’éminents défenseurs burundais des droits humains sont en butte à des actes de harcèlement et d’intimidation. Ils ont notamment été menacés de mort durant la campagne préélectorale, en raison de leur participation à une campagne visant à obtenir justice pour le meurtre en avril 2009 du militant anticorruption Ernest Manirumva, vice-président de l’Observatoire de Lutte contre la Corruption et les Malversations Economiques (OLUCOME).
Quelques jours avant que le FORSC ne soit interdit en novembre 2009, son président, Pacifique Nininahazwe, a eu vent d’un possible complot visant à l’assassiner. En mars 2010, Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, président de l'Association burundaise pour la protection des droits humains et des personnes détenues (APRODH), et Gabriel Rufyiri, président d’OLUCOME, ont affirmé qu’ils faisaient l’objet d’une surveillance renforcée et avaient été avertis que des complots étaient sans doute ourdis contre eux en vue de les éliminer.
Pierre Claver Mbonimpa a été convoqué le 3 mai 2010 par le ministère public pour répondre à des questions sur son travail et sa participation à la campagne sur l’affaire Ernest Manirumva.
Organisations signataires :
Action Chrétienne contre le Torture Burundi (ACAT Burundi)
Action Chrétienne contre le Torture France (ACAT France)
CIVICUS: Alliance Mondiale pour la Participation Citoyenne
Amnesty International (AI)
Développement et Paix
East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP)
EurAc (Réseau Européen pour l'Afrique centrale)
Fédération internationale de l'Action des chrétiens pour l'abolition de la torture (FIACAT)
Le Forum pour le Renforcement de la Société Civile (FORSC)
Ligue Iteka
Front Line
International Refugee Rights Initiative
Observatoire de l'Action Gouvernementale (OAG)
Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'Homme, programme conjoint de la Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'Homme (FIDH) et de l'Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT)
Organisation inter-églises de coopération au développement (ICCO)
Oxfam International
Programme Service Civile pour la Paix Région des Grands Lacs (AGEH
Refugees International
© Amnesty International
The Truth can be buried and stomped into the ground where none can see, yet eventually it will, like a seed, break through the surface once again far more potent than ever, and Nothing can stop it. Truth can be suppressed for a "time", yet It cannot be destroyed. ==> Wolverin
C. Peter ErlinderProfessor of Law
President of the Arusha Defense Lawyers Assoc., ADAD
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
25-05-2010[We kick off the International Defense Committee for ALL Political Prisoners and POWs of NATO/UN*** with one of its founding members, Chris Black’s response to Professor Jeremy Kuzmarov’s Review of Edward S. Herman and David Peterson's “The Politics of Genocide,” foreword by Noam Chomsky (Monthly Review Press, 2010). As the name of the Committee might suggest, the scope of our concerns and intentions is very—perhaps, even too broad. So we’re hoping Maitre Black’s article will help us focus on the effects of a continuing falsification of History by the forces of Fascism. This manufacture of mass lies has been trying to rid our world of all rational experiments in revolutionary socialism or communism since October 1917. It is this anti-intellectual and anti-social pathology against which the Committee seeks to defend all political prisoners of this global military occupation by Western Waste Capital.
There is hope. Recently in Moscow there was a celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Red Army’s victory over Fascism in the Great Patriotic War—known in the West as WWII. For the first time in recent memory an official contingent of US Marines marched through Red Square in solidarity with, and commemoration of, the more than 20 million Soviet lives that were given in repelling, then vanquishing, the Nazi invaders. This recognition of the unimaginable sacrifice made by the Slavic, Jewish, Muslim, Orthodox Christian and other Soviet peoples—of all the partisans on the Eastern Front and in Europe—to guarantee (however partially or temporarily) a world free from neo-feudal enslavement to Waste Capitalist anti-Reality, was foreshadowed by the election in 2008 of Barack Obama (a face that just doesn’t look comfortable in Hugo Boss) to captain the flagship of the Fascist fleet, when he invited to his inauguration representatives of the Tuskegee airmen, those Black flyers who defied the US military’s institutional racism to play a major role in the air wars over the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, itself. Burt Lancaster would never have let us forget, in his sadly neglected ‘The Unknown War,’ that it was the Tuskegees who put the lie to the Nazi’s technological (and racial) superiority when they shot down the first two (of a half dozen) operational jet fighter/bombers (Messerschmitt 262s).
To recognize this History is only the beginning; to get it right is the goal of this Committee. For example, the USSR and then Russia have been cajoled by their Fascist interlocutors into admitting to various crimes committed under Josef Stalin’s leadership, thereby creating a sense of authoritarian equivalence between Fascism and Communism. The April-May 1940 massacre of 11,000 Polish Army officers in the Katyn forest is one of the more popular and ludicrous historical manipulations, as Stalin and Beria are credited only with the liquidation of the Polish pows (at a time when the Red Army was fleeing Eastern Poland with the Wehrmacht chomping at their heels and was forced even to abandon its own Soviet citizens to Nazi predations, why would they take time out to spend 11,000 rounds on Polish pows?), while the rest of the million+ Jewish, Ukrainian and Soviet victims are assigned to the Nazi occupation without debate. And recently, Serbia has had to ‘apologize’ or ‘express regret’ for the mass killing in 1995 Bosnia at Srebrenica—a crime (no longer seriously referred to as a genocide) that has never been established on the evidence and which has had to be stipulated to in a number of dodgy ICTY judgments. And as Chris points out so well, the inability of the ICTR over more than a decade to establish that there was any planning or intention on the part of the 1994 Rwandan state, its Army or any of its allies, to carry out any kind of mass slaughter, has become, itself, a crime against Humanity—and, especially, against that part of Humanity that remains imprisoned, persecuted and prosecuted, for this non-event.
To sample Richard Lovelace outta 1648,
Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for a hermitage;
But the Fascists’ falsification of History does create a very real Super-Max lock-up that deprives millions—both those who are imprisoned and those who think they are safe at home—of the freedom to pursue their rightful destinies. The false histories—be they of the Katyn massacre, the Ukrainian genocide famine of 1933, of the various post-Cold War mass-murders that called for even more murderous Humanitarian Interventions—all served one principal purpose: to take political power out of the hands of popular political leaders by judicially vilifying them as inhuman killers, while placing their sovereignties under military occupation for private commercial and financial exploitation in the service of Capitalist Wastage.
It is the Political Prisoners under this sort of confinement—deprived not only of their physical freedom, but of their own History, their own lives’ stories—who are the subjects of this Committee’s attention. For only by eventuating their freedom and advancing the liberation of their homelands, can we, ourselves, ever hope, really, to be free. –mc]
***To take part in The Committee, to join its discussions, go to:
http://intlndefcompppows.blogspot.com/2010/05/international-committee-to-defend.html and post a comment to the blog.
To submit articles for possible posting to The Committee’s site, send them to cirqueminime@gmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)
AS International
SurViVors SPEAK OUT - Rights of Victims Seeking Justice and Compensation for the RPF Genocide. This is an Exciting Collaborative Project launched by The AS International Founder Jean-Christophe Nizeyimana, Economist and Human Rights Activist. Join US and Be the First to know about the Mastermind of the Rwandan Genocide Still At large and enjoing Impunity.