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Worzels World - War Crimes and Other Misdemeanors

 

A recent report by the US Senate Intelligence Committee has released details of war crimes committed by the US and her Allies. In true American fashion the 6000-page report took five years and $40 million to complete. Yet it shows that despite that nation’s many shortcomings they are able, given time, to admit their faults. I wonder if here in New Zealand we are able to do as much?

During a process labelled ‘special rendition’, suspects were (and still are) detained without recourse to due legal process. Large numbers have been proved innocent and released. Others, some innocent, have been tortured and killed. The Senate Intelligence Report also noted the unreliability of information obtained using enhanced interrogation techniques (a euphemism for torture). Fifty four nations, including New Zealand, were found to be guilty of collaborating with what the report admits to be war crimes.

This is not news. In 2011 Kiwi journalist John Stephenson wrote about our complicity with such crimes (transferring prisoners to be tortured) in Afghanistan as far back as 2002. His revelations hardly caused a ripple of concern. Our politicians refused to comment and Mr Stephenson’s revelations quickly faded from the news. Instead media concentrated on VC winner Willie Apiata’s heroism under fire – albeit under fire from native inhabitants in their own country.

United States soldiers and citizens – much like the people in Kaipara – were subjected to lies and coercion in order to gain their consent for actions that were manifestly wrong. Hoodwinked by venal self-serving men supported by pervasive and convincing public relations networks they were taught to operate under the false paradigm that something is wrong because it is against the law rather than that something should be against the law because it is wrong.

Those that make laws seldom have to exhibit any bravery and do not have to actually torture and kill people themselves. Politicians and generals used brave men like Willie Apiata to capture and handle suspects. Relaying orders and directives they did not confront the suffering and death they caused. This is not so for those ordered to do the killing and torturing. Many have come forward and said they were ashamed of their actions and knew them to be wrong but that they were told it was necessary and legal. It was ordered by others who they were persuaded knew more and knew best. Some soldiers and military police have been court marshalled and punished because of irrefutable evidence of their crimes. Yet no officers or politicians have yet been charged.

The very basis of law is undermined when legislation is drafted not to frame shared and common values within a society but on the basis of pragmatism in order to achieve a given end. Such law never takes into consideration the unknown variables or other higher laws like the law of unintended consequences.

It is often the case that the makers of law are wrong and the breakers of law are right. History holds as true heroes those like Oscar Schindler who broke the immoral laws of Hitler’s Third Reich to save many lives. Being in the right against injustice and tyranny though did not prevent Nelson Mandela doing 26 years hard labour for flouting South Africa‘s race laws. Writer Ken Sarawera did prison time for speaking out about corruption in his own country. Ghandi was vilified and eventually assassinated for opposing British rule in India and Jesus Christ was crucified for preaching a message of love, truth and forgiveness which the lawmakers of his time judged as blasphemy.

Laws that are anathema to the majority of people can ever last. Laws which are manifestly unjust, oppressive, or extortionate are wrong. If laws do not reflect values common to those being regulated then such law is a form of tyranny. It is the duty of citizens subjected to such laws to work on changing them. If such change proves impossible then those laws must be disobeyed.

I heard with interest of the resignation from Parliament of our Northland MP Mike Sabin. After sponsoring a Bill to validate the breaking of the law and then undertaking to represent his constituency for another three years he has decided to chuck it in after only three months for ‘personal reasons’. A man of conviction? Perhaps only in a legal sense or maybe just another hypocrite politician?

As a by-election looms in Northland we should perhaps remember that the victimisation of good people has been as constant throughout history as the hypocrisy of lawmakers. This is why politicians, and political parties, like underwear, should be changed often – and for the same reasons.

n prof_worzel@hotmail.com

<<edited>>

As a by-election looms in Northland we should perhaps remember that the victimisation of good people has been as constant throughout history as the hypocrisy of lawmakers. This is why politicians, and political parties, like underwear, should be changed often – and for the same reasons.

 
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