Argentina: Dirty War Justice

Argentina is in a  race against time to bring to justice members of the former military government who committed crimes during the countries Dirty War years (1976-83).

The advancing age of the perpetrators coupled with lengthy prosecutions that often involved mountains of evidence and multiple testimonies from victims, have made justice an elusive prospect. An estimated 30,000 people were disappeared under the former military dictatorship.

The Kirchner government has been particularly aggressive in speeding up the process.

The quest for justice after atrocities is nothing new. The ICC trials on the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, and the former Yugoslavia illustrate a desire for justice. Many of the above mentioned societies have used the trials to shine on a light on the nation’s past misdeeds. These trials are a vital step for the youthful democracy.

If Argentina doesn’t complete these trials, they may viewed as suspiciously as Japan, who many still feel have not properly owned up to their role in World War II.

Without these trials, Argentina will appear to be condoning the actions of military dictatorship. A key first step in building democracy in Argentina will be repudiating the actions of a past that most people would like to forget.

Back to the Falklands

Britain and Argentina are fighting over the Falklands yet again. The Falklands are about three hundred miles off the Argentine coast, though Britain has ruled them since 1833. Brittan has no intention of giving the islands up and accuses Argentina of colonialism for pursuing its’ claim.

 The two parties fought a two month war in 1982 that killed 905 British and Argentine soldiers. Tensions rose in 2010 as British ships began to show an interest in oil exploration in the Falklands. Argentina decreed that ships passing through its waters to the islands would require permits. Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2012/0201/Why-Britain-and-Argentina-are-tussling-again-over-the-Falklands

There is a fairly simple solution to the problem of the Falklands. The population of the Falklands should be allowed to vote whether they want to be considered British or Argentinean citizens. Of course, the battle over natural resources will complicate things.

Natural resources present on the Falklands could be considered a national interest, which will prevent either party from just stepping aside. That’s why we need a vote. Letting the people decide this matter, resources and all, is the best way to decide this conflict.