BREAKING NEWS (see context below): Court Overturns Genocide Conviction for Guatemalan Dictator (commondreams.org)
A new section of the radio show/podcast in which I (Beni) get to ramble for 5min on a topic unrelated to the show…
We did this for the 1st time in show #33 (2013-5-20) and here are my very rough notes:
1st time ex-dictator gets convicted for genocide & crimes against humanity in his own country
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Former president and general Efrain Rios Montt
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convicted last week after rushed trial since his congress-term and immunity ran out 2012. Sentence: 80 years (87yr old)
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de-facto pres. 1982-3 (multiple coups)
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genocide against Maya-Ixil (1771 killed, 29k displaced, 250K dead overall)
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One of his lieutenant (involved in the actual killings) is current president:
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Otto Perez Molina
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Oligarchy (=rule by few) working to annul by higher court:
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legal technicalities (used to delay but thwarted by judges)
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public opinion campaigns & media
(Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, & Financial Associations) -
threat & terror
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Context:
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Sandinistas revolution in Nicaragua ‘79
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Guerrillas (including FMLN from El salvador) had mass popular support
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Soviet support
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Guerrillas and freedom fighters also committed crimes
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US heavy involvement and support:
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along with most other dictatorships in Latin America
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Ronald Reagan personally supported Montt
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What are we to make of this?
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truth and reconciliation — does it work?
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peace but no justice: South Africa
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justice but no peace: Zimbabwe
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Land reforms / redistribution OH MY!
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Related articles:
Related articles
- Ronald Reagan: Ríos Montt is “totally dedicated to democracy” (coreyrobin.com)
- Guatemala’s former dictator Efrain Rios Montt battles genocide charges (guardian.co.uk)
[…] that were “supposed” to be guerrilla fighters (see previous references to this: 1, 2, […]
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[…] > recently digging up civilian victims of genocide in Guatemala that were “supposed” to be guerrilla fighters (see previous references to this: 1, 2, 3) […]
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