Entitled, “Crisis of Impunity: The Role of Pakistan,Russia, and Iran in Fueling the Civil War”, thetwo-year study exposed the fact that perhaps theTaliban is not completely accountable for the downfall of thecountry. Notwithstanding the Taliban’s faults as afundamentalist regime turned geopolitical, only after one queries the sources of the arms used by theTaliban can one begin to be aware of the other partiesinvolved in this gross violation of human rights.
Instead of focusing on Afghanistan, let’s discuss whyit is imperative to have a solid understanding of thecrisis of impunity. What are the consequences? Whydoes impunity exist? How can impunity be abolished sothat the perpetrators are justly punished? Impunity,which is exemption from punishment, appears rampantacross underprivileged and privileged nations. A casewhich has led to heightened awareness by AmnestyInternational include high army officials of ElSalvador, where the former head of the SalvadoranNational Guard, Carlos Vides, and the former ministerof defense, Jose Guillermo Garcia, are being sued bythe families of four American churchwomen who werebrutally murdered in the early nineties. In court,the two officers claimed ignorance to thewitness-observed torture chamber, located inside theguard’s headquarters, and currently reside in Florida(Palm Beach Post, 10/20/2000). The consequences ofthe US not having a sub-department of investigationwithin the department of Immigration and NaturalServices render officials of countries like ElSalvador free from serving a punishment for theiratrocious crimes. The two generals were cleared bythe jury of any responsibility in connection with themurder of the four churchwomen.
Impunity becomes a problem when the United States getsinvolved. Impunity is a problem when Latin soldiersare trained in the School of the Americas in Georgia,and then return to their respective countries toperpetrate a civil war via brutal and senselesskillings with their newfound military education. Impunity is a problem as soon as these officials layfoot on American soil. Impunity becomes yet a biggerproblem because the United States is one of manycountries which have not SIGNED the Rome Statuteratification of the International Criminal Court. Thecourt, which will have the power to punish bothinternationally and non-internationally committed warcrimes, including massive tortures, rampant killings,and other gross human rights violations, will functionas an alternative to each country’s national court,when unwilling to prosecute perpetrators of crime(www.amnesty.org).
Put El Salvador aside for now, this push foranti-impunity needs to be extended to many othercountries. The tribunals in Rwanda and the formerYugoslavia need to expose the gross atrocitiescommitted by high officials; the Taliban, which hasassumed control of the country renaming it the IslamicEmirate of Afghanistan, are but a few more examples. These people should not be allowed political asyluminto the United States, nor seek a comfortableretirement in warm weather, as the example of theSalvadoran army officials.
What are the consequences of impunity? Withoutjustice served by the guilty, citizens have no hope,and no sense of truth. When a country’s leadership iscorrupt, what becomes the new status quo? What arethe norms? What stops an individual from retaliatingagainst the very government that gets away withmurder?
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