death penalty news June 2, 2004
ETHIOPIA / ZIMBABWE: Mengistu an eyesore on our landscape The Accountability Commission-Zimbabwe (AC) joins the Ethiopian Ambassador to Zimbabwe's call for the handing over of Mengistu to the Ethiopian authorities. In calling for the immediate extradition of ousted Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam back to Ethiopia to stand trial for genocide and crimes against humanity, the Ambassador, Duna Mufti is not alone. The Zimbabwean taxpayer who funds Mengistu's royal existence in the country at a time when Zimbabwe is reeling under the worst economic episode of its history finds it easy to rally behind such calls. Even more passionately, human rights organisations like the AC are affronted that this dictator (who killed more than a hundred of his opponents every night during his reign) should have been granted asylum in Zimbabwe. Mengistu has been and remains an eyesore on our country. This is more so when millions of Zimbabweans have been forced to flee into exile owing to President Mugabe's dictatorial propensities. The AC finds it even bitterly ironic that a world-shunned tyrant like President Mugabe, presiding over a ruined country, should play magnanimous host to another dictator in this day and era. The AC strongly believes that Zimbabwe's continued harbouring of Mengistu makes a mockery of the high-sounding doctrines of NEPAD and the African Renaissance. Although the AC abhors the death penalty, it is of the opinion that the law should catch up with leaders who abuse their power while they are in office. Perpetrators of human rights abuses should be made answerable for their crimes so that Africa can cultivate a new culture of combating impunity and encourage leaders to rule in terms of a contract with their citizens. In light of the above, it is regrettable that one beacon of hope on the Continent, South Africa, continues regularly to host notorious dictators like President Mugabe of Zimbabwe and recently, the ousted Haitian President, Bertrand Aristide. (source: NewZimbabwe.com) ========================== MEXICO / U.S.: Mexico's gift misses mark Although it's poor form to criticize a gift, it's hard not to second-guess the Mexican government's choice of presents for the people of Los Angeles County. The country's local consulate has donated some 27,000 textbooks, novels and other literature to 40 school districts throughout the county. It's a nice gesture a recognition that the Mexican government ought to shoulder some responsibility for the thousands of economic refugees it drives into Los Angeles County every year but not a very practical one. Forget the 27,000 titles; what we could really use are the 300 killers. Currently, the Mexican government refuses to extradite to the United States any criminals who could be sentenced to life in prison or the death penalty. The result is that Mexican criminals who come up north have a de facto "get out of jail free' card if they commit a serious crime like murder. The results of Mexico's recalcitrant extradition policy for our region are horrific. Mexican gangbangers can operate with virtual impunity, rendering our laws meaningless. From a country that purports to be a good neighbor and a true friend, that's inexcusable. Whatever misgivings Mexico has about American jurisprudence, it only stands to reason that those who break our laws should be subject to our system of justice. America's dysfunctional immigration policies are a tremendous boon to the Mexican government. The massive migration channels away millions of the country's poor, thus relieving the historically corrupt government of the need to reform. And emigrants help prop up the Mexican economy by wiring back billions of U.S. dollars every year. In return, it's not asking too much that the Mexican government help offset the burdens illegal immigration imposes on border regions like Southern California. And at the most basic level, that should include honoring rather than undermining American laws. We suppose we should be grateful for the books, but a little cooperation would be much more appreciated. (source: Opinion, Pasadena Star News)
