Our Guantanamo?

Questions Remain About U.S. Commitment to International Human Rights Standards at Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal | War Crimes: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"


This is a very important blog: it questions US commitment to upholding rights in the context of the Bangladeshi war crimes trial. "Pre-charging" detention has been claimed by most people to be a violation of rights: Guantanamo is the egregious example. Hundreds of innocent men have been kept there without being charged year after year. Is the US colluding in something similar in Bangladesh?

The arrested so far have not been charged with war crimes. They have been charged with another - unrelated - offence and are being held and, it is reported, tortured. The war crimes trial is already off to a dubious start.

the cheek(s) of Cherie Blair

:The Daily Star: Internet Edition



Cherie Blair (that's wife of war criminal, Tony) has been here in Bangladesh. Contrary to popular expectations, she was not lynched in this predominantly Muslim country. On the contrary, she was extended every fawning courtesy, and even invited to the state guest house.

But you'll never guess what she's been blabbering about! Human rights and the rule of law!

When you've stopped guffawing, reflect on the cheek (all four of them) of this woman: having helped her husband murder over a million Iraqis, she has the cheek (all of them) to come gallivanting here and lecturing us on the rule of law – and human rights!

Why was she not lynched? Why was she lionized instead?

Investigations are pending: all we can say is, there's always the next time!