Justice or Revenge or an 'important milestone'?

No body disputes the fact that Saddam Hussein was a dictator; no body disputes the fact that many people died and suffered under his rule. But it doesn't require one to understand law and justice to realise that - his 'trial' was all but a political show and a poorly managed one at that. Right from the beginning of the 'trial' (show?) to his death today, it's Saddam who seems to have towered over and dominated the whole procedure; the 'trial' sessions, were more of a very poorly managed stage drama than what we were being led to believe. While at the same time, through out Iraq - people continued and are still continuing to die in large numbers and the suffering only intensifies.

As for the 'trial' serving justice for Iraq, as Anas Altikriti rightly points out: Saddam Hussein is not the main cause for all that has happened in Iraq for the last two to three decades. Many foreign leaders and entities, Western ones in particular - supported, aided, funded and instigated most of what has caused and been causing all the pain and suffering that we have witnessed and continue to see going on in Iraq. And yet - the foreign leaders and entities are free; free, after enormously profiting from Iraq, and who still continue to make the Iraqis live in chaos and anarchy - while their wealth is being plundered.

Talking of justice - why hasn't Ariel Sharon been tried for all the crimes he has committed? Shouldn't Ehud Olmert and his aides too, not be tried for all the destruction, deaths and suffering that they have caused to the people of Palestine and Lebanon? Shouldn't all the Western and foreign leaders involved and all those who have funded and aided the military and war machines in Iraq right from the 1980s to date - be, too, put on trial and sentenced?

It all depends on how one interprets: 'justice'. For some, what is happening in Iraq is 'an important milestone'; for the people of Iraq, the most important 'milestones' they dream of and very much hope for - are: security and peace; and to be able to benefit and enjoy the undoubted abundant wealth that their country has.

Comments

nzm said…
Omar

Nicely writtn.

I'm saddened by the news of Saddam's execution this morning, but not because I mourn his loss. If he did half the things that are attributed to him, then he had what was coming to him.

I'm saddened because his death won't change a thing for the Iraqi people. Sure, some of his surviving victims will be happy, but Iraq will not suddenly become a better place with his death.

I read that during his reign of 25+ years, 300,000 people were purported to have been killed - despite the lack of evidence of mass graves.

In the past 3 years since he was deposed, 600,000 people have been killed - and there's more to come.

I'm sad because now the Iraqi people face the threat of being killed or driven out of their neighbourhoods by the very people who once stood united with them under the Saddam regime. Sunni vs Shia; neighbour vs neighbour; my gun is bigger vs no gun at all.

I'm sad because in the 3 years that Saddam has not been in power, nothing has improved in Iraq.

That's the biggest crime of them all.
Anonymous said…
It won't change things in Iraq. And to me - why execute him on such a holly day of Eid?
Anonymous said…
My thoughts exactly,If only all the pple who committed crimes would be punished too! And why o why on Eid day, I didn't want to see that picture being played in my mind while trying to spend a special day with my family,very sad wallah. sf-timimi
Anonymous said…
sf - For justice to be done, all those involved in causing all the enormous suffering and pain for the people of Iraq, should be prosecuted and sentenced.

My heart pains for the children mostly - who have to endure all the madness that is Iraq. Even my own children, had to have their Eid festivities spoilt by the excution; why done on Eid day? What prompted that?
Anonymous said…
Folks lets not turn saddam into a hero. He butcherd his people with the the help of washington. He played their game well until he changed the rules of the game, then they turned against him. Oil is the problem. While Rwanda was burning, no body gave a hoot, beacuse all they have is coffee. who needs it. The idea of hunging him on Eid is to send a message. Your holidays are not sacrilege to what lies under your lands. We can do what we want. "In your face"
Anonymous said…
Insha Allah the people of Iraq will have peace. All: united as ONE; not sects and groups. Inha Allah.
Téméraire said…
You have an intersting Blog, Bravo
Anonymous said…
Temeraire - thanks. I visited yours too; unfortunately I don't understand French.
Jed Carosaari said…
You forgot to include George Bush as one of those leaders who needs to be tried.
Anonymous said…
And many more!

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