R2P or Not(2P); That Shouldn’t Be the Question

NB: This post for CCT754 is admittedly very incomplete.  I’m working on an idea for a final paper for the class, and this post serves, not even as an introduction to that idea, but as an intro to the universe of ideas from which it comes.  I ultimately don’t think I will write about R2P, but I’ve needed to say some of these things for nearly 2 years now, and finally did.  As the topic evolves, I’ll be sure to post.

ICC Documentary ‘The Reckoning’ to Appear on PBS

From the Enough Project:

Tune in for Public Broadcast of The Reckoning

At Sundance and in specialized theaters around North America and Europe, the film The Reckoning has been educating audiences about the quest for an international justice system that began in Nuremberg after World War II and came into being as the International Criminal Court. Now, the film will fan out to the masses in their living rooms across the United States through its national broadcast premiere on July 14th.

The Reckoning follows the first six years of the International Criminal Court, from the court’s headquarters in The Hague, to the scenes of the crimes – in eastern Congo and northern Uganda – to the U.N. headquarters in New York, where the court has met some of its toughest critics. The Reckoning has a captivating way of weaving together the strong personalities of individuals into a gripping narrative, such as a young Ugandan woman who survived a rampage by the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army, passionate judges inspired by the work of establishing standards for global justice, outspoken critics of the Court, and a dynamic lead prosecutor who has become the face of the struggle to bring justice to victims in Darfur.

So tune-in to PBS tomorrow, July 14th to catch the film. Then, join the Enough Project for a live web conference with ICC expert Colin Thomas-Jensen. Join Colin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15th for a discussion of recent ICC activity and send him your questions about the court.

More info here.

Just Added: International Justice Day Event

I know Golzar from CGS, and she is a smart, insightful, gracious person. I’ve always thought that any event involving her is guaranteed to be good. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend.

Join Amnesty in celebration of 2008 International Justice Day

Thursday July 17th
8:30pm-10:30pm
Busboys and Poets
2021 14th Street (@14th & V.)
(closest metro is U St. and Cardozo, Green line)

FREE & OPEN to the public
Dessert served

The evening will begin with a screening of Justice Without Borders, a short documentary that explores the global movement seeking justice and accountability for the most grave human rights abuses, followed by a panel of expert speakers and the opportunity to meet social change enthusiasts over drinks and dessert.

Prof. Rick Wilson – Professor of Law and Founding Director of the International Human Rights Law Clinic, American University’s Washington College of Law
Golzar Kheiltash – Washington Advocate, Human Rights Watch International Justice Program
Kate Vandermade – Program Specialist, Center for African Refugees & Immigrants, Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. & Amnesty International Central America Co-Group Chair (Country Specialist Program)

Brought to you by Amnesty International local group 536/Adam’s Morgan

The Crisis in Zimbabwe

Recent election news: Sokwanele kept a running tab of the effects of the violence and boycotts.

*******
The BBC has, as almost always, a good overview of the situation.  I’ve also pulled the best stories I’ve seen covering specific aspects of the elections or violence. 

The LA Times has an excellent and completely saddening article about the ZANU-PF youths who are threatened into beating members of the opposition in order to protect their own families.  It reminds me of nothing so much as the child soldiers of West Africa. 

This general violence comes after weeks of targeting opposition leadership, either through direct assasination or by targeting family members. 

There isn’t much in this NY Times article about the UN Security Council’s unanimous declaration against the violence to recommend it in particular – besides the actual newsworthiness of the headline – but its description of Mbeki’s “mediation” as ‘maintain[ing] a strategy of quiet diplomacy’ made me laugh out loud.  So that’s what we’re calling silence these days. 

Speaking of which, another NY Times article addresses Mbeki’s failure to condemn Mugabe.  This article characterizes Mbeki’s approach as ‘walking softly, carrying no stick’.  The authors report that South Africa’s deputy foreign minister, Aziz Pahad, has said that ‘”We can only say the mediation has failed if we reach a situation where Zimbabwe totally gets engulfed in a state of civil war”.’  Does this me that the opposition has to form its own army before Mbeki will admit defeat?

The article itself is thoughtful, and underscores the troubled relationship between African leaders and their constituents, as well as the almost incestuous connections between the leaders themselves. 

I almost hesitate to include this Flikr album, because of the level of violence depicted (DO NOT open during lunch).  (The link is to Andrew Sullivan; he links to the pictures, but also a piece by the Times).  This what life is like currently in Zimbabwe.  It doesn’t have to be like this!

And in case you missed it, Tsvangirai’s statement last weekend withdrawing from the elections (Hat tip: Meaningfulness of Little Things).

Although I think Tsvangirai’s actions make sense in light of… everything, this Guardian op-ed says he must convince his followers that he’s not simply playing into Mugabe’s hands. 
 

IR Events (6.22-6.28)

I have been posting events on Monday, but that presents a bit of a problem for events that begin on Monday, so I’m going to give posting them on Sunday a shot.

As always, these are also available on my Google calendar, so no need to wait for me to post.

Partnership for a Secure America Presents: A Bipartisan Foreign Policy for January 2009
6.23.08
9-1030 AM
info@psaonline.org or call 202-464-6011

Also this week (6.27-6.29) is the International Law & Ethics Conference in Belgrade. It’s hosted by the University of Belgrade.

Headlines from Africa

Mbeki in last-ditch unity bid

Ethiopia and Eritrea inch towards war

A South African judge tries to influence his fellows about Zuma

Everybody’s guilty in Congo-Kinshasa

Ghanaians are making a living on handicrafts and fruit (mmm mangoes)

The Rwandan government will indict foreigners involved in the 1994 genocide

The HALO Trust cleans up land mines in Angola

Volkswagon creates jobs in ZA

Sierra Leone asks its ex-pat doctors to come home

Nigeria needs $40 billion to build… everything in Lagos

And as the dog bites man headline for the day, Mugabe blaims Britain for everything.  Actually, I would suggest reading the comments on that.  Glyph provides some good background, kamazu defends with the mandatory ‘they were colonized so it’s not their fault’ argument and awt_independent brings the sarcasm.

I am skeptical of the ‘we were victims!’ defense of bad governance by former colonies.  I studied post-colonial South Africa in college, and yes, there are legitimate (and awful) affects on society, culture, politics and economics.  And colonialism in Africa was very different from India and SE Asia.  But, there is a difference between acknowledging those affects and dealing with them, and continuing to play the victim.  The healing process is hard, and not always straight-forward (witness ZA), but possible, and necessary.  Sadly, I just don’t think Zimbabwe’s there yet. 

Thursday Cartoons Celebrate Father’s Day Late

It’s belated, but there’s no time like the present to start making things right.