«Mala» in Guatemala

As an attorney, I'm fully aware that there are procedural errors so egregious that they warrant the setting aside of a verdict and the retrial of a defendant. But, there is also the doctrine of the non-prejudicial error, one that, though committed, does not annul a judicial proceeding. Without the benefit of knowing just what the procedural violation was in the Ríos Montt trial in Guatemala, it's impossible to judge if the decision to overturn his conviction is justified.

There are, though, disturbing signs that this surprising development may be due to pressures from the powers that be, namely, business and the military, the two elements that, in tandem, have traditionally ruled in Latin America from the far Right. In this case, not only have the come out to protect one of their own, but also to protect others from both groups who could stand trial in the immediate future.

In any case, the former dictator will be tried once again. Let's hope that they get it right, and the guilty ruling stands.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Belgian Buggery

The Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal won't go away; instead, it keeps growing every day.  Take the story out of Belgium, where a report has been issued that details what went on, including more than a dozen suicides linked to the abuse perpetrated by priests and  a cover up that continues to this day, when a Belgian bishop suggested that a complaint be withheld until 2011, when the bishop who covered up for the offending priest will retire.  With each passing day, it becomes more and more difficult to hold that this behavior was just the work of a few rogue priests.  There are just too many cases all around the world, for anyone to believe such a thing. This is clearly a major problem which the church tried to hide from the authorities and recklessly let it continue, without any regard for children elsewhere, by transferring priests.  There is no excuse for this unpardonable sin.
Read more

Hear, Hear!

Not that it means a whole lot, but, still, the gesture has some significance. After 33 years on the throne, the Dutch queen, at 76, will abdicate in favor of her son. Not subject to election by the vote of her people, she has done the right thing by resigning, so to speak, and letting her son carry on with the royal duties. At 86, and 60 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth would do well to follow this example. Hanging on to the throne at her age and after so many years seems excessive and ungenerous. The same goes for King Juan Carlos, who has just turned 75, and has been on the throne for 37 years. His son will be 45 two days from now, so is already older than his father was when he became King. In Juan Carlos' case, he has, of late, given signs of poor judgment, that could very well be a result of his age. Queen Elizabeth and King Juan Carlos should follow Queen Beatrix 's example.
Read more

Chinese Capitalism

The fact that Asia now boasts of having the biggest number of millionaires in the world is a sign of the times. The predictions of a few years ago have come true: China is the world's next superpower, and the increasing wealth of its economic elite shows it. The sleeping dragon has awakened.
Read more