Extra-Judicial Killings in Colombia - Coursework Example

Extra Judicial killings in Colombia Introduction Extrajudicial killing in most cases is attributed to political and social atrocities. Government engages in this form of execution to safeguard personal interest. The killings where ancient tactics of intimidate individual and groups within a given society. The impact of the killing was positive to the ruling authorities as it aided the ruling governments to attain supremacy and safeguard their interest in administration and policymaking. Historical injustices were based on jungle laws and lack of modernity in the judicially system among states. It is wrong to assume civilization led to a transformation in governments and bodies of administration. The judicial system allows each person to be judged fairly within the set rules. Some countries ignore the rule of law and turn to extrajudicial killing. The essay will focus on Columbia in extrajudicial killings over the years. The main aim will identify the causes and recommend models to be followed in order to contain the situation and avoid future occurrences of the atrocities. History A country is stable once its systems are operating within normal parameters. Special attention is given to those sectors that tend to fail or perform below the required standards. Colombia had become a victim of internal crisis. The crisis ranged from drug trafficking and rebels groups funded by drug loads. The overwhelming impact these effects to the stability of the country, attracted international action. this included to aid the country in form of finance. The USA designed plan with the aid of the Columbian government to fund the military and enable them combat the drug lords successfully. The six-billion plans were target at funding both units of the military (Benkert 2). The plan was to aid the government regains control of major areas in the country and reduces the trafficking and production of drugs. The security segments in the country become powerful having sourced finances from the international community. The military and the police force had enough resources to combat rebels and drug lord. The hostile nature of the rebels prompted the government to turn to other forms of justice thus allowing the police and military organs to use excessive force in their offense against these rebel groups. The situation attained a critical level in 2002 where the reality of matters in Colombia. Forusa (2010) indicates a relationship between the increased funding from the united states government and the extrajudicial killings. In 2007, reports indicated that members of the military groups who perpetrated a big number of the killings were funded by the USA plan (Fellowship of reconciliation, 2014, p.4). The war on drugs in Colombian can be seen as the proximate cause in which this killing took place. Statistical representation Vieira (2008) indicated 450 cases of forced dispenses and extrajudicial killing in 2007. This figure resulted from a number of initiatives by the government in dealing with the guerilla fighters. The killings where compared to criminal records of the individuals. Amnesty (2010) in their press release indicated 90 deaths of individuals from the Kankuamos area. The main cause resulted from paramilitary action in the region. Human Rights Watch (2014) reported more than 150 people missing or executed through the special squad formed by the government in Buenaventura. The report indicates that 22000 lives had been lost due to military action on civilians since 1956. The figure indicates a high number of extrajudicial killings perpetrated in the name of justice and protection the government interest. The high number of killings without a proper justice system indicates the negative implication of war against gang groups and members with the watchful eye of the international community. Human watch Report (2014) describes the injustice as the biggest of its kind in the continent and the region. The figure according to HRW (2014) has been on the decline since 2008 indicating the role of each unit in the international community in dealing with impunity. Media reports The killings had attracted the international community, and it was the role of the international media to report these killings as they occurred rather than reporting years after the decline in the killing. The regulation of the media during the period prevented justice from taking palace. Wrong information and figures were issued to the press as a method by the government to hide from the truth. The government filtered messages from media and limited information that reached the international audience (Leach, 2008). Some media personalities were executed on grounds that they were against the governments philosophies. The unsafe environment created by the government limited information and lead to years of unreported injustices. The international media also limited their reporting of the extrajudicial killing and concerted on the victory of the government towards drug trafficking and guerrilla war loads. The shift of attention could be the then government tactics to cover up for injustices within the contrary (Leach, 2008). The killings in relation to international laws Colombia being a signatory of the Rome statute had the responsibility to abide by the human rights act enacted and adopted in the statute. The rule defined the different parts in which the societies have to follow to avoid human rights violation. Under the statute, the perpetrator needed to account for their actions. The government under the UN rights requirement needed to formulate a clear system that allows the guerilla fighters to access justice locally or international through various bodies (Associated press, 2013). The supportive nature of the international community as was the case of the USA allowed these killings to continue for long years. The failure by the international community to raise the alarm by apprehending the actors of the killing or through economic stations allowed the government to continue with the killings. The international community needed to take action within the shortest time possible. The reduction of these killings in 2008 was because of the local community issuing warning to the government. Recommendation based on the HRW interview With respect to the extrajudicial killing in Colombia, I opted to discuss various issues with the HRW. The discussion included formulating measure that will allow a free nation that will uphold the role of law and at the same time integrate various unites in society in order to create a formidable force. The major sectors discussed included the media, international funding the government, local and international NGO, and international funding. Each aspect had a role to play in the extrajudicial killings this the recommendation are based on models that would allow a free state and that that uphold the rule of law. These laws should allow a suspect to undergo a trial process. The media role Regulation of the media in time of crisis worsens the situation at hand. The media need to play a role in reporting any atrocities in the world and connect the world to situation at hand. The regulation of the media worsens the situation, as it was the case of the Colombian case. In 2008, the killing reduced and all this was due to the attention create through the media and other electronic sources (HRW, 2014). The media acts the as surveillance and reporting unit in countries that lack strong opposition sides and proper laws and regulation. With respect to this, the media should be allowed freedom and this should be drafted into the law to allow the media to report events that seams unlawful and neglected by the international community. The local media should play an integral role in ensuring events within a country are according to the regulations and international laws. The international funding The continued killings within Colombia were due to the huge finances from other countries including the USA. The purpose of international funding is to allow room for major sectors within a country are functional. These funds in some cases may cause a humanitarian crisis when the recipient countries channel the funds to other activities. The extrajudicial killings with the country related to the plan by the USA government to fund the military. This means that the international community should limit the amount of resources being given to the country. The funds should be limited only to development purposes. Military funds should be limited and if necessity arises then the usage of the funds should be regulated to allow accountability and avoid misappropriation of these funds by government units. The crisis in Columbia was directly linked to adequate resources by the international community in combating drug trafficking. Upholding the rule of law The country needs to be guided by written laws. The rules should guide on human rights and privileges by individuals. These rules will ensure a judicial system that is free and fair. This will deter individuals from being subjected to any form of execution using alternative means. The juridical system should accessible to all and each suspect given the privilege of defending himself against each execution. A clear judicial system should mean that a laws enforcement agency is formed, and their duties outlined. This means that the law enforcers should be independent to the judiciary. This will prevent the instances where the police are the accusers and prosecutors at the same time. The laws should outline the roles of every individual in the judicial system. The time taken to prosecute should be specified and should rely on evidence rather than verbal accusation and suspicion. The government should facilitate this process by availing enough funds to enable the process. The role of NGOs The nongovernmental organizations have been given the duty of raising a red flag when hums rights are infringed. The duty of each organizers is to identify the conflict arising. These organizations should be independent and not affiliated to any organization. The independent nature of the organization will allow them to operate without limitation. The government should formulate laws that allow this organization to function without interference from the society and other external factors. The nation interest within the organization should be limited and reports from these organizations should be used as a leeway to finding solutions to major issue of the world. The world should create an understanding where various organs work with the NGO to form a stronger force against impunity and other form of human right formulation. Local NGO should be a corners stone in which other organs within the country could operate. The activities should push the governments towards upholding the rule of law and eliminate the essence of unreported impunity among the society. The international organization The International criminal court under the Rome statute should act as an alternative where the local justice system fails to offer justice. The signatories of the Rome statute should be ready to abide by the rules set by the international court and adjust their judicial system to meet the international specifications. The international community should prosecute the perpetrators of crime against humanity hence setting a preference in which other governments should follow. This means that those who fail to access local judicial system could turn to the international court. The court should be formed to allow setting presidents and world leaders to stand trial. All members of the ICC and the UN have the duty of ensuring each element of juice is practiced within its territory. The failure by the international community to alarm governments allows injustices to be carried own The government The role of any ruling organization should be to implement a recommendation forwarded from different quotas in society. Funds channeled to the government should be used to eliminated impunity in society rather than encourage the same. The Columbian government should use the funds from the USA plan of 2000 to develop a well-funded judicial system that guarantees the society rights and privilege within the law. The government should champion in reforming the police and military units. These reforms should include police retraining and regime change among army leaders. New bread of the police should ensure every aspect with the society is protected, and any suspect is apprehended and taken through a legal system for justice to take its cause. The government should be a tool within society where everyone seeks comfort. The government should develop trust within its organs and other external components of society. This will ensure these reforms are successful and that a proper system is designed to allow freedom to other organs including the courts, media and the NGOs. Conclusion The atrocities committed in Colombia took place with the full view of the international community. The local conflict between the government and the rebels took an ugly twist once the international community chooses to fund the army rather than formulation models to be followed by parties involved by the conflict. The role of the international NGO is to raise an alarm and suggest models to be followed by the government. The regulation of funds within a country would allow a proper judicial system of government based on the international laws of justice. The justice within country is set to protect citizens from unlawful acts from other members of the society. Those assigned the duty of controlling the manner in which society operates should do so without fear or favor. The government should a focal point where all matters are reported. The government regulation of the media and NGO create a room in which impunity tries. The government, media and NGO should combine forces and formulate models in which each unit in society operates and controls its activities. Those involved in extrajudicial killings should be punished by the local judicial system. When this system fails then the ICC should take charge and offer justice to victims. Works cited Amnesty .Colombia: President Uribe must reaffirm commitment to human rights. N.p. 9 Aug. web. 8 Dec. 2014 Associted press.U.N.: Colombian troops killed hundreds of civilians US today. 2013. Web 8 Dec. 2014 Benkert, joseph. Plan Colombia: Drug Reduction Goals Were Not Fully Met, But Security Assistance. Boston:DIANE Publishing, 2010. Print Fellowship of reconciliation. The Rise andFall of “False Positive” Killings in Colombia: The Role of U.S. Military Assistance, 2000 ‐2010. New York: FOR, 2014. Print Forusa. Military
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Rights. New York: US office of Columbia, 2010. Print. Human Rights Watch. world report 2014. HRW. 2014. Web. 2014 Leech, Garry, Distorted Perceptions of Colombians Conflict. Media Accuracy on Latin America. 2008. Web. 8 Dec. 2014 Vieira, Constanza. RIGHTS-COLOMBIA: Making the ‘Disappeared’ Reappear. International press service. 27 June. 2008. Web 8 Dec. 2014 Read More