The International Courts

Sometimes it seems like all of the headlines are grim. Yesterday, Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered, death tolls are rising in Iraq and, every day, I read about war crimes and atrocities committed in the Balkans during the 1990s.

It's difficult to watch the trials go on and know that, while these men and women are being prosecuted for events that took place years ago, similar things are happening in places like Darfur and Chechnya right now and not enough is being done about it.

But I still think you have to have faith in the international courts. Maybe Zimbabwe's ruler, Robert Mugabe, isn't thinking about the possibility of prosecution later in life, and his people are suffering now. But there is something to be said for justice, and I doubt Charles Taylor expected to be awaiting trial in The Hague after his dictatorship finally crumbled.

The international courts need recognition from nations, like the U.S., who have yet to support the International Criminal Court (ICC), although the U.S. does help fund the tribunals. Because, although the courts currently provide justice and closure for victims, strengthening their presence might bring them to the attention of those committing crimes today.

In other IWPR musings, I wrote my first article (with a byline) for the site, which was published on Friday.

And, just so you don't think I'm totally enveloped in a cloud of darkness and news of war crimes, I also went to a Hungarian festival this weekend and checked out The Hague's nightlife. Next up: Happy Hour Wednesday with the ICC interns.