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Thank Goodness for Racist Canadians??
EFL from TCSDonât find much in Tech Central Station that I disagree with. Canât bring myself to commend Canada for taking an action that smells too much like it belongs in a Belgium style court. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- During the many years of Apartheid, our southern African neighbours, such as Zimbabwe and Zambia, provided Nelson Mandelaâs liberation organisation (and now government), the African National Congress (ANC), with practical and moral support, often at considerable risk. Today, Zimbabweans who are suffering under the murderous rule of one of Africaâs most brutal tyrants unfortunately have not been afforded the same. However it seems that the support they desperately need may come from far further away; the Canadian government is currently considering indicting Mr. Robert Mugabe on the charge of crimes against humanity. Iran killed one of your citizens. wWy are you concerned with Mugabe? A group of international lawyers has prepared draft indictment papers and has written to the Canadian Minister of Justice urging him to act swiftly against Zimbabweâs tyrant. If the indictment goes ahead, it will be the first time that Canadaâs three year old Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act will be used. Great - universal jurisdiction. The move has been supported by a number of Canadian MPs from different parties, including Dr. Keith Martin of the Alliance Party, who recently visited Zimbabwe. Should Canada proceed with the indictment, Mr. Mugabe would effectively be trapped in his country as he would run the risk of arrest and deportation to Canada if he left. (Unfortunately for Mr. and Mrs. Mugabe, this means that the shopping sprees in Paris that they so love would be a thing of the past.) Soon no American will be able to travel. There are enough leftist lawyers, countries that hate us and judges who will play along to sieze us all. The first charge in the 20 point draft indictment is that of extermination. Mr. Mugabeâs particularly heinous policies -- such as withholding food aid from people who could not demonstrate that they were ZANU PF (Mugabeâs party) supporters or who had dared to oppose his policies -- can be seen as nothing less. The indictment also cites the disappearance of people either through arrest, detention or abduction; the routine torture of Mugabeâs opponents; the persecution of groups (such as farmers and farm labourers); and, lastly, widespread imprisonment in violation of the fundamental rules of international law. Hey, at least all the Saudis, Norks and Chicoms will be in jail with us, right. Should Canada go ahead, a good many feathers -- particularly in Africa -- will be ruffled. One official I spoke with from Zimbabweâs opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (who preferred not to be named) worried that the any potential indictment would deepen the rift between the black and white countries in the British Commonwealth. He suggested this would not necessarily be helpful to restoring democracy to Zimbabwe. This inditement idea is stupid for many reasons. Should this happen, it would be most unfortunate: Acting against Mugabe only becomes a race issue if one chooses to make it so. Responding to the Zimbabwean crisis should have nothing to do with race, but with what is right and what is wrong. It is wrong to abuse, torture and starve your population. It is right to make a public stand against such behaviour and try to bring an end to it as soon as possible. If one is accused of being racist for making a firm and unequivocal stand against Mugabe and his violent abuse of power, then Canadians should be happy to be labelled as such. Posted by: Super Hose 2003-10-21 |
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