
Pro-Zelaya Activists, Image: Amnesty International
Much as I resent Amnesty International for defending the vandals who defaced and burnt down buildings and set buses and cars alight only to get media attention, I agree with them that President Lobo must begin investigating the police who were responsible for excessive force in repressing them.
I have seen video footage of police breaking down a riot after a football game in July 2009, and using their macanas (batons) ruthlessly in beating up hooligans. I have also seen the photos of wounded people from the clashes between Pro Zelaya protesters and police. My experience with the Honduran justice system before the crisis helps me find human rights violations very plausible.
I do appreciate the fact that they cite 20 human rights violations, not 50, not 100, not more. 20. Mel Zelaya seemed fond of citing hundreds of cases of murder, rape and beatings, and media sympathetic with him would gleefully repeat it without any qualms, nor investigation.
In November 2009 I complained to a reporter, whose article appeared in a prominent Mexican Newspaper. The article headlined Zelaya’s claim of 142 deaths as a result of the Honduran crisis. This was the nonchalant reply:
“Before anything else, I appreciate you email. On the other hand, the format of the piece you mention is that of an interview, which reflects the point of view of the subject of the interview exclusively.”
The politicization of Human Rights organizations is deplorable. I hope Amnesty International will realize that socialist and communist regimes are often the chief offenders against human rights in the world, aside from theocratic ones. Although I concede, capitalist regimes are not far behind.
I have seen video footage of police breaking down a riot after a football game in July 2009, and using their macanas (batons) ruthlessly in beating up hooligans. I have also seen the photos of wounded people from the clashes between Pro Zelaya protesters and police. My experience with the Honduran justice system before the crisis helps me find human rights violations very plausible.
I do appreciate the fact that they cite 20 human rights violations, not 50, not 100, not more. 20. Mel Zelaya seemed fond of citing hundreds of cases of murder, rape and beatings, and media sympathetic with him would gleefully repeat it without any qualms, nor investigation.
In November 2009 I complained to a reporter, whose article appeared in a prominent Mexican Newspaper. The article headlined Zelaya’s claim of 142 deaths as a result of the Honduran crisis. This was the nonchalant reply:
“Before anything else, I appreciate your email. On the other hand, the format of the piece you mention is that of an interview, which reflects the point of view of the subject of the interview exclusively.”
The politicization of Human Rights organizations is deplorable. I hope Amnesty International will realize that socialist and communist regimes are often the chief offenders against human rights in the world, aside from theocratic ones. Although I concede, capitalist regimes are not far behind.
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