Human Rights Watch Practicum2008
Accountability in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Argentina
Adrian WeisellDustin FriedmanLaetitia Pactat
The Conflict between Impunityand Accountability
• Impunity▫ Fosters post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation▫ Promotes more rapid end to conflict▫ Validates human rights violations as not punishable
• Accountability▫ Fosters justice through legal recourse▫ Encourages long term stability through affirmation of governing
institutions▫ Politically and legally complicated
Arguments Supporting Accountability
•Deterrence•Retribution•Marginalization•Incapacitation•Rule of Law•Establishing
Historical Record
http://www.spectator.co.nz/images/justice.gif
Conflict and Atrocities in Afghanistan1978-2001
• Indiscriminate bombing and targeting of civilians
•Summary Executions •Ethnic Cleansings •Destruction of Rural
Economy http://www.keweenawnow.com/views/martin_afghanistan_01_11/images/tank_table_rm.jpg
Bonn Agreement and Consequences
•Legitimized factional power structures•Established System of Impunity and contradiction
Tony Karon
Afghanistan:Is Accountability Possible?
•Harnessing accountability:▫ Historical Record▫ Rule of Law▫ Cultural Currency, i.e.
Pashtunwali
http://afghanistanica.com
Atrocities and Violations in Kosovo1997-1999
•Ethnic Cleansing •Gender-Based
Violence•Destruction of
Civilian Property•Legacy of Impunity
Dustin Friedman
The Human Toll
• 860,000+ Kosovo expelled or fled• 245,300 Kosovo Serbs and Roma fled in fear of or response to reprisals• 10,000 Kosovo Albanians killed in massacres and executions• 1,500 Kosovo Serbs and Roma killed by NATO bombardment• 3,500+ disappeared, 1,613 still missing
Dustin Friedman
Kosovo:Accountability towards Justice
Links in theAccountability Chain: •Marginalization• Incapacitation•Historical Record•Deterrence•Retribution•Rule of Law
Dustin Friedman
Argentina’s Dirty War 1976-1983
•Human Rights Violations:▫Desaparecidos▫Arbitrary
Detention▫Torture▫Extrajudicial
Executions•9,000-30,000 Victims
http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/foreigndesk/2006/12/15/dirtywar.jpg
Cycles of Amnesty and Accountability
• 1984: CONADEP Comisión Nacional sobre la Desaparición de Personas report Nunca Más
• Trials of high-raking officers• 1986 : Ley 23.492 de Punto Final• 1987: Ley 23.521 de Obediencia Debida• 1990: Menem’s Pardons
http://todolosolido.com.ar/weblog/wp-content/desaparecidos.jpg
Final Accountability in Argentina2005
Positive Outcomes ofAccountability:•Rule of Law and
Establishing a Historical Record
Works in Progress:•Deterrence and
Retribution
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fRy1BP8KMa6z/610x.jpg
Conclusion•Time•Domestic Support• International Pressure• Institutions Advocating Rule of Law•Political Will
www.un.org