Thanks to Shirin for this link to an article by landmine campaigner, Bobby Muller.
"It is a fact that 80% of antipersonal land mine victims are innocent victims. In their absurdity, they serve as a good way to illustrate what conflict has become: violence which is unable to discriminate between soldiers and civilians," Muller says.
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Friday, December 19, 2003
Brace yourself for spin overdrive as Downing Street and the White House trumpet Libya's promise to dismantle its WMD capabilities and attempt to sell the move as proof that the War In Iraq was justified, even though it was Baghdad that was targetted and not Tripoli.
The Prime Minister says Libya's move on WMDs entitles the country to rejoin the international community.
Before we celebrate, let's look at what Human Rights Watch said in January:
"Over the past three decades, Libya’s human rights record has been appalling. It has included the abduction, forced disappearance or assassination of political opponents; torture and mistreatment of detainees; and long-term detention without charge or trial or after grossly unfair trials.
"Today hundreds of people remain arbitrarily detained, some for over a decade, and there are serious concerns about treatment in detention and the fairness of procedures in several on-going high profile trials before the Peoples’ Courts. Libya has been a closed country for United Nations and non-governmental human rights investigators. "
Indeed, Human Rights Watch accused Libya of being a member of an "abusers club" of governments hostile to human rights.
Welcome to the international community, Libya!
(Read more on Libya's human rights record here.)
The Prime Minister says Libya's move on WMDs entitles the country to rejoin the international community.
Before we celebrate, let's look at what Human Rights Watch said in January:
"Over the past three decades, Libya’s human rights record has been appalling. It has included the abduction, forced disappearance or assassination of political opponents; torture and mistreatment of detainees; and long-term detention without charge or trial or after grossly unfair trials.
"Today hundreds of people remain arbitrarily detained, some for over a decade, and there are serious concerns about treatment in detention and the fairness of procedures in several on-going high profile trials before the Peoples’ Courts. Libya has been a closed country for United Nations and non-governmental human rights investigators. "
Indeed, Human Rights Watch accused Libya of being a member of an "abusers club" of governments hostile to human rights.
Welcome to the international community, Libya!
(Read more on Libya's human rights record here.)
More encouraging news that the war crimes tribunal for former Khmer Rouge leaders in Cambodia may finally be drawing closer.
BBC News Online reports that the former head of state in the Khmer Rouge government, Khieu Samphan, has been seeking legal help.
Samphan was the public face of the Khmer Rouge and the group's top negotiator and chief propagandist. After the collapse of the regime he is believed to have led a guerilla movement after Pol Pot stepped back from the spotlight and played only an advisory role.
He is seeing out his dotage rearing ducks near the border with Thailand. Like the rest of the KR heirarchy he has never answered for his actions in court. Finally, belatedly, he might.
BBC News Online reports that the former head of state in the Khmer Rouge government, Khieu Samphan, has been seeking legal help.
Samphan was the public face of the Khmer Rouge and the group's top negotiator and chief propagandist. After the collapse of the regime he is believed to have led a guerilla movement after Pol Pot stepped back from the spotlight and played only an advisory role.
He is seeing out his dotage rearing ducks near the border with Thailand. Like the rest of the KR heirarchy he has never answered for his actions in court. Finally, belatedly, he might.
The devil makes work for idle MPs.
Today's numero uno workshy Parliamentarian is Moray MP Angus Robertson, chairman of that essential Westminster body, the Commons South Caucasus All Party Parliamentary Group.
The Scotsman: South Caucasus Talks 'A Success So Far'
Good luck on dealing with the thorny issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, Angus.
Today's numero uno workshy Parliamentarian is Moray MP Angus Robertson, chairman of that essential Westminster body, the Commons South Caucasus All Party Parliamentary Group.
The Scotsman: South Caucasus Talks 'A Success So Far'
Good luck on dealing with the thorny issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, Angus.
The head of Al Hurra, a new US government-sponsored Arabic television station being set up in Virginia say the new channel will be "fair and balanced" (Source: IHT)
"Fair and balanced." Now where have I heard that slogan before?
Presumably if Al Hurra does choose to officially adopt the slogan it can expect an Al Franken-esque lawsuit.
"Fair and balanced." Now where have I heard that slogan before?
Presumably if Al Hurra does choose to officially adopt the slogan it can expect an Al Franken-esque lawsuit.
Writing in the Times, ITV News's (DON'T say ITN) Political Editor Nick Robinson relates this sobering tale about hapless colleague Julian Manyon:
"Hours later, ITV News’s Julian Manyon made it to the site of Saddam’s arrest: the first British television reporter to do so. Others had not wanted to leave their Bagdhad satellite dishes to make the treacherous journey. Manyon got his scoop on tape before hurtling back to transmit it. On the way he had to battle through street protests, road blocks and who knows what other delights the Sunni Triangle has to offer.
"Back in the Iraqi capital, adrenalin still pumping, he pressed the button to play to London his first-hand account of a day that changed the world. An expectant newsroom came to a standstill. They saw nothing. They never did. The tape had broken."
Those of us who have worked alongside Manyon in action in the field will know that the disaster couldn't have happened to a nicer person, and I'm sure the guards of Bagram airbase would agree. And Lara Logan.
While Manyon was lamenting his broken tape, the BBC's man James Rodgers was exploring the spider hole -- and getting it on air.
"Hours later, ITV News’s Julian Manyon made it to the site of Saddam’s arrest: the first British television reporter to do so. Others had not wanted to leave their Bagdhad satellite dishes to make the treacherous journey. Manyon got his scoop on tape before hurtling back to transmit it. On the way he had to battle through street protests, road blocks and who knows what other delights the Sunni Triangle has to offer.
"Back in the Iraqi capital, adrenalin still pumping, he pressed the button to play to London his first-hand account of a day that changed the world. An expectant newsroom came to a standstill. They saw nothing. They never did. The tape had broken."
Those of us who have worked alongside Manyon in action in the field will know that the disaster couldn't have happened to a nicer person, and I'm sure the guards of Bagram airbase would agree. And Lara Logan.
While Manyon was lamenting his broken tape, the BBC's man James Rodgers was exploring the spider hole -- and getting it on air.
From 45 minute readiness, to evidence of chemical weapons "programmes," to...
Independent: Is the search for weapons over?
Independent: Is the search for weapons over?
Brian H e-mails following this thread on the origins of the phrase "spider hole" -- and offers another suggestion.
He points to this link about trapdoor spiders. "Most trapdoor spiders but not all are misleadingly named, as not all species make a door for their burrows. These highly camouflaged entrances are almost undetectable, unless the door is open," it says.
He points to this link about trapdoor spiders. "Most trapdoor spiders but not all are misleadingly named, as not all species make a door for their burrows. These highly camouflaged entrances are almost undetectable, unless the door is open," it says.
RUMOUR MILL
International broadcasting networks are showing heightened twitchiness over the health of a certain former American president.
The problem, as my recent Papal planning has shown, is that people rarely die in order to coincide with the next news cycle.
International broadcasting networks are showing heightened twitchiness over the health of a certain former American president.
The problem, as my recent Papal planning has shown, is that people rarely die in order to coincide with the next news cycle.
Driving across London this evening I heard Five Live's Matthew Bannister asking whether alleged child molester and sometime pop singer Michael Jackson should be allowed into britain to promote his new album now that he has been formally charged with kiddy fiddling.
My advice to Jackson if he wants to slip into the UK while avoiding the detection of the British authorities is simple. Do an Ian Huntley and change your name to Michael Nixon -- that way you can be sure the police won't cotton onto the fact that you're the same person.
Or better still change your name to Michael X.
My advice to Jackson if he wants to slip into the UK while avoiding the detection of the British authorities is simple. Do an Ian Huntley and change your name to Michael Nixon -- that way you can be sure the police won't cotton onto the fact that you're the same person.
Or better still change your name to Michael X.
Thursday, December 18, 2003
LOOKING DOWN THE BARREL OF A....ER....CAMERA
At the risk of sounding increasingly like a camera anorak, the New York Times has more on the Sony PD150, the DV camera I've mentioned a few times recently.
The Times reveals that the digital wonder was responsible for recording the pictures of Saddam undergoing his medical exam. It seems it's not just us hacks who love 'em -- the US military are using them too.
Quote of the day comes from "combat cameraman" Staff Sgt. Wesley Wooten in Baghdad, who says:
"Basically what we're trained for is that the camera is our first weapon, and then our attack weapon is secondary to the camera...Me personally, I try to do both. We're lucky enough to carry pistols...You can shoot and shoot at the same time."
At the risk of sounding increasingly like a camera anorak, the New York Times has more on the Sony PD150, the DV camera I've mentioned a few times recently.
The Times reveals that the digital wonder was responsible for recording the pictures of Saddam undergoing his medical exam. It seems it's not just us hacks who love 'em -- the US military are using them too.
Quote of the day comes from "combat cameraman" Staff Sgt. Wesley Wooten in Baghdad, who says:
"Basically what we're trained for is that the camera is our first weapon, and then our attack weapon is secondary to the camera...Me personally, I try to do both. We're lucky enough to carry pistols...You can shoot and shoot at the same time."
Assignment news....to Athens on January 7th to visit the building site that is the home of the 2004 Olympics.
Better pack the hard hat.
Better pack the hard hat.
A bizarre complaint in an otherwise strong article by Derrick Z. Jackson in the Boston Globe -- the Americans nabbed Saddam without a search warrant.
Knock knock.
"You Saddam Hussein the murderous Eye-Rakki dictator."
"Yup."
"We're coming in."
"You got a warrant."
"Er, no. Sorry to have disturbed you sir."
(Note to 4th Infantry Division: Search warrants can be downloaded here.)
Knock knock.
"You Saddam Hussein the murderous Eye-Rakki dictator."
"Yup."
"We're coming in."
"You got a warrant."
"Er, no. Sorry to have disturbed you sir."
(Note to 4th Infantry Division: Search warrants can be downloaded here.)
This is getting scary now. I may have to lie down.
Weblog heaven
Jane Perrone hunts down the figures whose weblogs have caused the biggest stir both in and outside the blogosphere.
Stuart Hughes
BBC News producer who set up a weblog on the spur of the moment before setting out to cover the conflict in northern Iraq. Stuart's life - and consequently his blog - changed forever when he had his right foot and part of his leg amputated after stepping on a landmine. Along with American multimedia journalist Kevin Sites, Stuart has set the standard for journalists blogging from the field, as well as earning respect from the weblog community for his dignified account of coming to terms with being an amputee and his determination to get back to work.
(Source: The Guardian)
Weblog heaven
Jane Perrone hunts down the figures whose weblogs have caused the biggest stir both in and outside the blogosphere.
Stuart Hughes
BBC News producer who set up a weblog on the spur of the moment before setting out to cover the conflict in northern Iraq. Stuart's life - and consequently his blog - changed forever when he had his right foot and part of his leg amputated after stepping on a landmine. Along with American multimedia journalist Kevin Sites, Stuart has set the standard for journalists blogging from the field, as well as earning respect from the weblog community for his dignified account of coming to terms with being an amputee and his determination to get back to work.
(Source: The Guardian)
One from the BNI mailbag. Alex Lemon writes, with her typical understatement:
"The winner in your category only won because she's a hooker and the Guardian bods think they look cool by embracing the seedier side of life. Besides, anyone who calls their boyfriend 'The Boy' in that irritating, unoriginal, hackneyed way deserves to be shot - or at least fall into the shadow cast by the brilliance of your blog.
"That one is not the best written and it doesn't have any of the thought-provoking wit or visually-appealing twinkly bits that yours does. No, in my book you win and 'Belle du Jour' catches chlamydia from one of her clients."
Harsh but fair.
"The winner in your category only won because she's a hooker and the Guardian bods think they look cool by embracing the seedier side of life. Besides, anyone who calls their boyfriend 'The Boy' in that irritating, unoriginal, hackneyed way deserves to be shot - or at least fall into the shadow cast by the brilliance of your blog.
"That one is not the best written and it doesn't have any of the thought-provoking wit or visually-appealing twinkly bits that yours does. No, in my book you win and 'Belle du Jour' catches chlamydia from one of her clients."
Harsh but fair.
Pity the poor buggers facing the prospect of Christmas in Baghdad. We've got a team of about a dozen people who'll be spending the festive season dodging RPGs, while the rest of us slumber in front of the TV.
Amazingly, some of them will be there of their own volition. Their home lives must be in a bad state.
This morning, my foreign news colleagues have been packaging up supplies for them, to be taken out this weekend along with the cameras, flak jackets and helmets. BBC Baghdad will be feasting on fine chocolates, pate, Christmas cake and a wealth of other delicacies.
It can't be much compensation, but hopefully it'll help.
Amazingly, some of them will be there of their own volition. Their home lives must be in a bad state.
This morning, my foreign news colleagues have been packaging up supplies for them, to be taken out this weekend along with the cameras, flak jackets and helmets. BBC Baghdad will be feasting on fine chocolates, pate, Christmas cake and a wealth of other delicacies.
It can't be much compensation, but hopefully it'll help.
If I'm going to lose out to anyone, it might as well be a call girl. I'd like to be able to say it's not the first time I've been shafted by a prostitute, but to do so would just be crass.
The Guardian's Best British Blogs for 2003 have been announced this morning and Beyond Northern Iraq is highly commended in the Best Written category.
Chairman of the judges, Simon Waldman says: "Stuart Hughes is the BBC reporter who lost his leg to a landmine in Iraq. Since February he has been keeping a brilliant blog called Beyond Northern Iraq (not endorsed by the BBC). It is an excellent daily take on happenings in the Gulf written by someone with personal experience, providing a really good read with smart links."
Stop it now, I'm blushing.
The winner was Belle Du Jour, the diary of a London call girl. I lost out to a worthy winner. A one-legged, slightly out of shape hack versus a mysterious femme de nuit -- it's really no contest.
Having said that, I guess I should use the Guardian commendation and the massive spike in traffic it has generated to welcome new readers. Please wipe your feet, put a pin in the guest map, tell your friends and drop by regularly.
If you want to get up to speed on what happened post-Iraq, the best place to start is here.
BBC News reports on the accident can be found here, here and here, while the weekly diary I wrote through the summer for BBC News Online is archived here.
My most recent blogging experiments have been with videoblogging, starting with my recent trip to Cambodia. You can find a list of "vlogs" here with an accompanying audioblog here.
Aside from that, the best thing to do is simply to graze freely on the varied pastures of this blog -- and feel free to e-mail if there's anything you'd like to ask.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Further to my comments about Laura Bush's bedtime story, I'm delighted to note that the First Lady's recitation of "Angelina's Christmas," by Katharine Holabird has now been posted up on the White House website.
It's the best piece of television I've seen in ages -- and that's a lovely manicure Mrs Bush has got.
I'm amazed the "mainstream" media hasn't picked up on this story.
It's the best piece of television I've seen in ages -- and that's a lovely manicure Mrs Bush has got.
I'm amazed the "mainstream" media hasn't picked up on this story.
QUEER EYE FOR THAT SADDAM GUY
Thanks to Mark in Australia for this gem.
Five gay men, out to make over the world — one former Iraqi dictator at a time.
Thanks to Mark in Australia for this gem.
Five gay men, out to make over the world — one former Iraqi dictator at a time.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Former BBC correspondent Martin Bell, thought-provoking as ever, discusses the culture of 24 hour news in The Independent.
Bell's argument: "The 24-hour news channels wish it to be known that they bring you the news wherever it breaks, and watch the world with an unblinking eye. They don't, of course. They offer roof-top television instead. It consists of correspondents perched on the roofs of hotels and television stations, exchanging guesswork with other correspondents on other roofs, about the crisis of the moment."
Hear hear.
Bell's argument: "The 24-hour news channels wish it to be known that they bring you the news wherever it breaks, and watch the world with an unblinking eye. They don't, of course. They offer roof-top television instead. It consists of correspondents perched on the roofs of hotels and television stations, exchanging guesswork with other correspondents on other roofs, about the crisis of the moment."
Hear hear.
Still scratching your head looking for that one last Christmas present?
Treat your loved one this festive season with the Captured Saddam action figure complete with Ace of Spades T-shirt and available for just $29.95. (Thanks for the link, Jude)
Make the Butcher of Baghdad's humiliation complete by buying the matching HeroBuilders S and M outfit comprising riding crop, body harness, g-string briefs, and knee pads.
It's the perfect gift.
Monday, December 15, 2003
It's been bugging me (excuse the pun) all day. What the fuck is a spider hole?
A bolt hole, a rabbit hole, yes. But a spider hole?
This evening I finally looked it up.
It seems that during the Vietnam war the Viet Cong built an intricate network of mud tunnels -- the Cu Chi Tunnels -- stretching more than 200km and connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, the network was never discovered.
Depending on who you believe, they were called spider holes either a) because the network of tunnels stretched out like a spiders web or b) because the exteriors were camoflaged to looks like spiders nests or c) because they were actually full of poisonous spiders. You can see a picture of one here and here.
William Safire in the NY Times has more.
So now I know.
A bolt hole, a rabbit hole, yes. But a spider hole?
This evening I finally looked it up.
It seems that during the Vietnam war the Viet Cong built an intricate network of mud tunnels -- the Cu Chi Tunnels -- stretching more than 200km and connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, the network was never discovered.
Depending on who you believe, they were called spider holes either a) because the network of tunnels stretched out like a spiders web or b) because the exteriors were camoflaged to looks like spiders nests or c) because they were actually full of poisonous spiders. You can see a picture of one here and here.
William Safire in the NY Times has more.
So now I know.
WILL YOU TUCK ME IN AS WELL, MRS BUSH?
Is that seemingly never-ending War on Terror keeping you awake at night?
Before you reach for the Nytol....wait.
Let Laura Bush read you a bedtime story.
We should be grateful. At least she can read.
Is that seemingly never-ending War on Terror keeping you awake at night?
Before you reach for the Nytol....wait.
Let Laura Bush read you a bedtime story.
We should be grateful. At least she can read.
The New York Times has an interesting piece, dissecting the PR strategy behind the announcement of Saddam Hussein's capture.
FOR SALE
Beyond Northern Iraq Estate Agents are delighted to offer onto the market this rarely-available "trou de souris."
Nestled amid extensive farmland near the picturesque village of Adwar, this discreet studio apartment is hidden from the main road. Privacy is assured through a unique brick and dirt camoflage exterior.
The property is fully air conditioned via a traditional Iraqi tin exhaust pipe and is within the Tikrit Grammar School catchment area.
Some modernisation is required, making the property especially attractive to an investor or keen DIYer.
Suit batchelor or fugitive dictator. The current owner is reluctant to part with this remarkable property but unexpected circumstances have forced sale.
An early internal inspection is highly recommended.
Beyond Northern Iraq Estate Agents are delighted to offer onto the market this rarely-available "trou de souris."
Nestled amid extensive farmland near the picturesque village of Adwar, this discreet studio apartment is hidden from the main road. Privacy is assured through a unique brick and dirt camoflage exterior.
The property is fully air conditioned via a traditional Iraqi tin exhaust pipe and is within the Tikrit Grammar School catchment area.
Some modernisation is required, making the property especially attractive to an investor or keen DIYer.
Suit batchelor or fugitive dictator. The current owner is reluctant to part with this remarkable property but unexpected circumstances have forced sale.
An early internal inspection is highly recommended.
Sorry to sound like a stick in the mud, but lest we all get carried away in the Saddam Capture Euphoria, let's remember a few basic facts.
The War in Iraq was waged, was it not, because "the former regime sponsored terror, possessed and used weapons of mass destruction, and for 12 years defied the clear demands of the United Nations Security Council." (Source: BBC News Online -- my emphasis)
Yet now, we learn from CNN that "Time magazine correspondent Brian Bennett in Baghdad said the former Iraqi leader asserted that the United States invented the presence of WMD to justify an invasion of his country.
"He also said he didn't play nice with U.N. [weapons] inspectors so that he could protect the privacy of his presidential areas," Bennett said on CNN's "Newsnight," quoting a U.S. official in Iraq who had seen an initial interrogation report."
Saddam could, of course, be lying. It's too early to say. But let's not forget why we went to war in the first place. It wasn't so we could track down a bemused dictator hiding in a hole.
The War in Iraq was waged, was it not, because "the former regime sponsored terror, possessed and used weapons of mass destruction, and for 12 years defied the clear demands of the United Nations Security Council." (Source: BBC News Online -- my emphasis)
Yet now, we learn from CNN that "Time magazine correspondent Brian Bennett in Baghdad said the former Iraqi leader asserted that the United States invented the presence of WMD to justify an invasion of his country.
"He also said he didn't play nice with U.N. [weapons] inspectors so that he could protect the privacy of his presidential areas," Bennett said on CNN's "Newsnight," quoting a U.S. official in Iraq who had seen an initial interrogation report."
Saddam could, of course, be lying. It's too early to say. But let's not forget why we went to war in the first place. It wasn't so we could track down a bemused dictator hiding in a hole.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
The leaks have started already.
Time magazine has the best exclusive I've seen so far on Saddam's capture. "He’s not been very cooperative," according to Time.
Time magazine has the best exclusive I've seen so far on Saddam's capture. "He’s not been very cooperative," according to Time.
This weekend, completely by accident, I stumbled across a PBS documentary aired last year as part of the Frontline/World strand.
In it, reporter Amanda Pike travelled to Cambodia and scored quite a scoop by tracking down Nuon Chea, known as "Brother Number Two" in the Khmer Rouge heirarchy.
The whole programme, together with an extensive set of background resources, is available as part of a multi-award winning website. It's a first-class introduction to Cambodia's recent bloody history and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Pike's programme has a modesty and integrity lacking in a lot of news documentaries. She tells the story -- but doesn't intrude on it.
Interestingly, this article explains that the doc was shot using a Sony PD-150 -- the same camera we're using to make the documentary about my recovery. For those interested in the future of Newsgathering, the article has some interesting things to say about the use of lightweight and relatively cheap DV equipment to seek out stories that wouldn't otherwise get on air.
In it, reporter Amanda Pike travelled to Cambodia and scored quite a scoop by tracking down Nuon Chea, known as "Brother Number Two" in the Khmer Rouge heirarchy.
The whole programme, together with an extensive set of background resources, is available as part of a multi-award winning website. It's a first-class introduction to Cambodia's recent bloody history and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Pike's programme has a modesty and integrity lacking in a lot of news documentaries. She tells the story -- but doesn't intrude on it.
Interestingly, this article explains that the doc was shot using a Sony PD-150 -- the same camera we're using to make the documentary about my recovery. For those interested in the future of Newsgathering, the article has some interesting things to say about the use of lightweight and relatively cheap DV equipment to seek out stories that wouldn't otherwise get on air.
WELCOME TO STUART'S JOURNALISM MASTERCLASS
Today's lesson: Editorial Independence.
"There should be no axes to grind or hidden agendas in the BBC's journalism; indeed, unless it is already involved in a story as a participating organisation, it has no point of view" (Source: BBC World Service)
"Iraqi journalists...at the press conference given by the coalition broke out into spontaneous applause and cheering as pictures were shown of a dishevelled, tired old man wearing a long greying beard: Saddam Hussein" (Source: BBC)
Shall I just run through that once more?
Today's lesson: Editorial Independence.
"There should be no axes to grind or hidden agendas in the BBC's journalism; indeed, unless it is already involved in a story as a participating organisation, it has no point of view" (Source: BBC World Service)
"Iraqi journalists...at the press conference given by the coalition broke out into spontaneous applause and cheering as pictures were shown of a dishevelled, tired old man wearing a long greying beard: Saddam Hussein" (Source: BBC)
Shall I just run through that once more?
Human Rights Watch has spoken out again about the Iraqi war crimes tribunal, following Saddam Hussein's capture.
Few people -- least of all me -- will be anything but delighted at Saddam Hussein's capture.
Now, with the former Iraqi leader behind bars, attention turns to the manner in which any trial is conducted.
Tony Blair has already said that the Iraqi people will decide his fate. But questions are being raised as to whether the Iraqi-led war crimes tribunal established last week will comply with international standards of fairness.
Human Rights Watch is among the groups to have spoken out about the tribunal, warning that "key provisions are lacking to ensure credible and legitimate trials."
Some may argue, understandably, that a tyrant of Saddam Hussein's magnitude does not deserve fairness. But to deny him the basic rights he denied millions of Iraqis smacks of revenge, not justice.
This week's Economist reports on the potential problems with Iraq's war crimes tribunal. The article is available by subscription only, so I've put it into a Word and plain text document below.
Economist: Bringing the old regime to trial (.doc)
Economist: Bringing the old regime to trial (.txt)
Now, with the former Iraqi leader behind bars, attention turns to the manner in which any trial is conducted.
Tony Blair has already said that the Iraqi people will decide his fate. But questions are being raised as to whether the Iraqi-led war crimes tribunal established last week will comply with international standards of fairness.
Human Rights Watch is among the groups to have spoken out about the tribunal, warning that "key provisions are lacking to ensure credible and legitimate trials."
Some may argue, understandably, that a tyrant of Saddam Hussein's magnitude does not deserve fairness. But to deny him the basic rights he denied millions of Iraqis smacks of revenge, not justice.
This week's Economist reports on the potential problems with Iraq's war crimes tribunal. The article is available by subscription only, so I've put it into a Word and plain text document below.
Economist: Bringing the old regime to trial (.doc)
Economist: Bringing the old regime to trial (.txt)
