The Elusiveness of Justice for Crimes against Humanity

The body of Slobodan Milosevic has gone home to Belgrade. After four years and massive resources, Milosevic died without a verdict from the International War Crimes Tribunal. In Baghdad today, Saddam Hussein once again tried to turn his trial into a circus. What's the best way to achieve justice for crimes against humanity? Do international courts satisfy surviving victims or create false hopes of international justice? Do domestic trials promote reconciliation or perpetuate feelings of hatred? We hear from journalists and experts in international law, including a jurist who took part in tribunals in South Africa, Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

• Making News: Saddam Hussein Testifies for the First Time
  The trial of Saddam Hussein is on hold again after he took the stand for the first time today and called on Iraqis to support the insurgency. Edward Wong, who reports from Baghdad for the New York Times, says after former Iraqi leader turned today's testimony into a ---sparring session,--- the judge closed the courtroom to the public and media.
• Reporter's Notebook: The World Catches Up with America...in Baseball
  The World Baseball Classic is just what the name implies, brought about because Major League Baseball wants to expand. It turns out that the game is being played so well in other countries that America's team is close to elimination. By a tie-breaker system too complicated to explain, the US could beat Mexico tomorrow and still be out of the action if Japan loses to South Korea tonight. Tom Verducci writes about baseball for Sports Illustrated.

Wong's article on closure of court to public in Hussein trial

Nuremberg Trials, Harvard Law Library on

My Neighbor, My Enemy: Justice and Community in the Aftermath of Mass Atrocity by Eric Stover and Harvey Weinstein

Amnesty International (AI)

Human Rights Watch

World Baseball Classic

Verducci's article on the World Baseball Classic

Engage & Discuss

Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.

For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy