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

Thank You