Recently, I read an economist article about Irena Sendler, a great hero of Poland, who died recently. Sounds like a very courageous and amazing woman. Maybe she should have won the Nobel peace prize (she lost to Al Gore !) Today, there are not nearly as many heroes as there are during dark times. No numbers to back it up, but it just seems that way to me.
here's the article
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
responsibility to protect !
I was just talking about this issue recently, and now it appears in the Economist!
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11376531
Also, there are 2 comments on this article which I found interesting:
#1
Unfortunately, most countries are run as the private property of their inept or corrupt governments. They might be small and unimportant, but in the UN, the vote of, say, Zimbabwe has the same value as the vote of, say, Germany or Japan.
As long as the UN is the total sum in number (as opposed to people, or GDP, etc) of countries, in can't be anything other than the expensive talk-shop that it has always been.
Sovereignity is a 19th century concept which current use is only to prop up the worst despots in this planet to keep stealing and raping their own helpless populations, trapped inside their own borders.
I live in Africa.
#2
This was a long-awaited article.
Discussing the legal merits of intervention is exceptionally important; Myanmar can set a legal precedent on intervention during humanitarian crises. These legal questions are not arcane. When the law is clear, there can be consensus. It is now up to governments and public lawyers to dissect the UN Charter and piece together a convincing legal argument for intervention.
INTERVENTION DISRESPECTS STATE-SOVEREIGNTY?
Well, depends. How do you define state sovereignty? Political independence and territorial integrity? Let us step away from 19th Century notions of state sovereignty. A state does not only comprise of governing institutions. The citenzry is the state; their will, their rights, their needs. State sovereignty [government] will and must be respected to the extent to which its citenzry deems it to be worthy of respect.
The Government is not a state; the government is merely a tool.
There is no suspension of sovereignty when stomachs need to be fed; I think we can all agree that, THAT IS the citizens political will.
TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE?
No, the United Nations Charter does not rest exclusively on principles of non-intervention and respect for state sovereignty. The values in which international law rests on also include respect for human rights and dignity.
The situation in Myanmar does not amount to genocide or ethnic cleansing, both of which traditionally served as legitimate grounds for humanitarian intervention. But the deliberate disregard for human life, the omission to act by the junta surely should engage some sort of obligation by multi-lateral bodies to act. Though they are not categorically 'positive actions of violations', the result of an imminent mass loss of lives does not really make it significantly different from genocide or ethnic cleansing.
BUT IF WE PERMIT INTERVENTION, COUNTRIES MAY USE THE HUMANITARIAN ARGUMENT TO INTERVENE IN THE DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF OTHER COUNTRIES?
Yes, it is a legitimate concern. But this should be a policy objection rather than an outright assertion that humanitarian intervention should not be the exception to 'non use of force'. I think we are deluding ourselves when we assert that because this right can be abused, it should not exist in law at all. All rights are capable of being abused. And this is where law comes in; law should define the situations permitting intervention through some objective criteria.
Greenwood suggests:
1. There is an immediate threat of the most serious humanitarian emergency involving large scale loss of life AND
2. Military intervention is necessary, in that it is the only practicable means by which that loss of life can be ended or prevented.
Military intervention can also be regulated; it must be strictly necessary and proportionate. It can be led by a non-partisan regional organisation or a multi-lateral body like the United Nations.
NEED FOR SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION?
The UN Charter prohibits the use of force except in self-defence or where the Security Council determines so, like in a breach of peace or an act of aggression.
I think the situation with the Security Council where unless a permanent member (in this case prob China) could be persuaded to lift its cote, is contrary to the principles on which modern international law is based on. One country's veto should not force the international community to sit on the sidelines. When the Security Council cannot and will not act, the legal requirement continues to be, to save lives.
Latiff, N
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11376531
Also, there are 2 comments on this article which I found interesting:
#1
Unfortunately, most countries are run as the private property of their inept or corrupt governments. They might be small and unimportant, but in the UN, the vote of, say, Zimbabwe has the same value as the vote of, say, Germany or Japan.
As long as the UN is the total sum in number (as opposed to people, or GDP, etc) of countries, in can't be anything other than the expensive talk-shop that it has always been.
Sovereignity is a 19th century concept which current use is only to prop up the worst despots in this planet to keep stealing and raping their own helpless populations, trapped inside their own borders.
I live in Africa.
#2
This was a long-awaited article.
Discussing the legal merits of intervention is exceptionally important; Myanmar can set a legal precedent on intervention during humanitarian crises. These legal questions are not arcane. When the law is clear, there can be consensus. It is now up to governments and public lawyers to dissect the UN Charter and piece together a convincing legal argument for intervention.
INTERVENTION DISRESPECTS STATE-SOVEREIGNTY?
Well, depends. How do you define state sovereignty? Political independence and territorial integrity? Let us step away from 19th Century notions of state sovereignty. A state does not only comprise of governing institutions. The citenzry is the state; their will, their rights, their needs. State sovereignty [government] will and must be respected to the extent to which its citenzry deems it to be worthy of respect.
The Government is not a state; the government is merely a tool.
There is no suspension of sovereignty when stomachs need to be fed; I think we can all agree that, THAT IS the citizens political will.
TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE?
No, the United Nations Charter does not rest exclusively on principles of non-intervention and respect for state sovereignty. The values in which international law rests on also include respect for human rights and dignity.
The situation in Myanmar does not amount to genocide or ethnic cleansing, both of which traditionally served as legitimate grounds for humanitarian intervention. But the deliberate disregard for human life, the omission to act by the junta surely should engage some sort of obligation by multi-lateral bodies to act. Though they are not categorically 'positive actions of violations', the result of an imminent mass loss of lives does not really make it significantly different from genocide or ethnic cleansing.
BUT IF WE PERMIT INTERVENTION, COUNTRIES MAY USE THE HUMANITARIAN ARGUMENT TO INTERVENE IN THE DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF OTHER COUNTRIES?
Yes, it is a legitimate concern. But this should be a policy objection rather than an outright assertion that humanitarian intervention should not be the exception to 'non use of force'. I think we are deluding ourselves when we assert that because this right can be abused, it should not exist in law at all. All rights are capable of being abused. And this is where law comes in; law should define the situations permitting intervention through some objective criteria.
Greenwood suggests:
1. There is an immediate threat of the most serious humanitarian emergency involving large scale loss of life AND
2. Military intervention is necessary, in that it is the only practicable means by which that loss of life can be ended or prevented.
Military intervention can also be regulated; it must be strictly necessary and proportionate. It can be led by a non-partisan regional organisation or a multi-lateral body like the United Nations.
NEED FOR SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION?
The UN Charter prohibits the use of force except in self-defence or where the Security Council determines so, like in a breach of peace or an act of aggression.
I think the situation with the Security Council where unless a permanent member (in this case prob China) could be persuaded to lift its cote, is contrary to the principles on which modern international law is based on. One country's veto should not force the international community to sit on the sidelines. When the Security Council cannot and will not act, the legal requirement continues to be, to save lives.
Latiff, N
Friday, May 09, 2008
democracy!
There seems to be a very strong correlation between democracy / freedom and a higher standard of living.
Maybe, democracy is not perfect. But the results are very good!!
Look at:
USA
western Europe
Canada
Australia
South Korea
Japan
vs.
North Korea
Myanmar
Russia
Cuba
China, etc...
Maybe, democracy is not perfect. But the results are very good!!
Look at:
USA
western Europe
Canada
Australia
South Korea
Japan
vs.
North Korea
Myanmar
Russia
Cuba
China, etc...
Friday, May 02, 2008
2008 films
****
The Dark Knight
***1/2
The Wrestler
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
***
Cloverfield
Lat den ratte komma in (Let the Right One In)
Synecdoche, New York
Slumdog Millionaire
In Bruges
Iron Man
Burn After Reading
Frost/Nixon
Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea)
The Reader
Pineapple Express
Milk
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've Loved You So Long)
Gran Torino
Traitor
Man on Wire
Doubt
Vals Im Bashir (Waltz with Bashir)
Frozen River
The Secret Life of Bees
Wall-E
Entre les murs (The Class)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Other Boleyn Girl
Loft
Changeling
Transsiberian
The Bank Job
Speed Racer
Julia
Kung Fu Panda
The Incredible Hulk
Ghost Town
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Get Smart
W.
**1/2
Body of Lies
Tôkyô sonata
Leatherheads
The Forbidden Kingdom
Married Life
Lakeview Terrace
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Tropic Thunder
Happy-Go-Lucky
Pride and Glory
Revolutionary Road
Elegy
Quantum of Solace
Appaloosa
Rachel Getting Married
Horton Hears a Who
Smart People
Last Chance Harvey
The Ruins
Un conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale)
The X Files: I Want to Believe
Sunshine Cleaning
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Redbelt
Cheung Gong 7 hou (CJ7)
Jumper
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Taken
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl -(kids)
Seven Pounds
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Ballast
Mamma Mia
Cadillac Records
The Duchess
**
Wanted
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Hancock
Yes Man
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Strangers
The Happening
Miracle at St. Anna
Choke
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Step Brothers
Australia
Untraceable
Fanboys
The Spirit
Tinker Bell
Righteous Kill
The Tale of Despereaux
Rambo 2008
Semi-Pro
21
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
27 Dresses
Transporter 3
*1/2
Eagle Eye
Twilight
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Marley & Me
Blindness
Bedtime Stories
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Swing Vote
10000 BC
Fool's Gold
Quarantine
Eden Lake
The Eye
Sex Drive
*
Max Payne
*incomplete (couldn't finish)
disaster movie
punisher: war zone
The Dark Knight
***1/2
The Wrestler
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
***
Cloverfield
Lat den ratte komma in (Let the Right One In)
Synecdoche, New York
Slumdog Millionaire
In Bruges
Iron Man
Burn After Reading
Frost/Nixon
Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea)
The Reader
Pineapple Express
Milk
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've Loved You So Long)
Gran Torino
Traitor
Man on Wire
Doubt
Vals Im Bashir (Waltz with Bashir)
Frozen River
The Secret Life of Bees
Wall-E
Entre les murs (The Class)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Other Boleyn Girl
Loft
Changeling
Transsiberian
The Bank Job
Speed Racer
Julia
Kung Fu Panda
The Incredible Hulk
Ghost Town
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Get Smart
W.
**1/2
Body of Lies
Tôkyô sonata
Leatherheads
The Forbidden Kingdom
Married Life
Lakeview Terrace
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Tropic Thunder
Happy-Go-Lucky
Pride and Glory
Revolutionary Road
Elegy
Quantum of Solace
Appaloosa
Rachel Getting Married
Horton Hears a Who
Smart People
Last Chance Harvey
The Ruins
Un conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale)
The X Files: I Want to Believe
Sunshine Cleaning
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Redbelt
Cheung Gong 7 hou (CJ7)
Jumper
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Taken
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl -(kids)
Seven Pounds
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Ballast
Mamma Mia
Cadillac Records
The Duchess
**
Wanted
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Hancock
Yes Man
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Strangers
The Happening
Miracle at St. Anna
Choke
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Step Brothers
Australia
Untraceable
Fanboys
The Spirit
Tinker Bell
Righteous Kill
The Tale of Despereaux
Rambo 2008
Semi-Pro
21
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
27 Dresses
Transporter 3
*1/2
Eagle Eye
Twilight
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Marley & Me
Blindness
Bedtime Stories
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Swing Vote
10000 BC
Fool's Gold
Quarantine
Eden Lake
The Eye
Sex Drive
*
Max Payne
*incomplete (couldn't finish)
disaster movie
punisher: war zone
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