CNN is currently airing a two-hour special discussing the enforcement of international laws against genocide. The conversation highlights the apparent lack of accountability for past U.S. presidents—Reagan, Bush, and Clinton—who are accused of violating these laws without facing trials or convictions. The discussion points to the U.S. support for Saddam Hussein during his genocidal actions against the Kurds, questioning why aiding such dictators is not punishable under international law. There is a call for either stricter adherence to these laws or their potential repeal due to their ineffective enforcement. The prosecution of individuals involved in the Rwandan genocide is noted as a rare exception. For further insight, Samantha Power's book on the history of genocide is recommended.
#1
jreelawg
125
0
Just starting a thread about the subject, and letting people know that CNN is running a 2 hour special about the subject right now, 9 PM eastern, 6 PM western.
There is supposed to be an international law requiring action to be taken to help prevent and punish those who commit genocide, but has the law ever been enforced?
It seams that presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton all violated the law. Why have there been no trials or convictions?
In the case of Iraq, a U.S. company provided Saddam with the chemicals to make the gas he used. After he had used it and had begun committing genocide against the Kurds, HW continued to pour money and weaponry into Iraq. Why is this act of aiding genocidal dictators not punishable under the Law?
Maybe the Law ought to be scrapped as it is never enforced, or maybe we ought to start abiding by it?
#3
Proton Soup
223
1
they've prosecuted some of the guys inciting the rwandan genocide, yes.
see Power's book for a recent history of the subject of genocide
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