Friday, August 13, 2004
Saddam Hussain - A man who deserves a free and fair trial?
P.V Bhakthavatchalam, a Chennai-based Advocate and Human Rights activist is looking to be on an international panel of lawyers who will defend Saddam Hussain, according to this article on rediff. When Saddam was captured, I had cast a few cursory thoughts on who might defend him in court, since it was clear that under the aegis of democracy, he would indeed have a 'trial'. Would it be hardline Saddam supporters? Or would the U.S or the U.N nominate a 'puppet' attorney to go through the motions? The answer, it turns out, is that some rather enterprising activists are making use of George Bush's ultimate coup as a platform to indulge in more U.S-bashing!
Consider Mr Bhaktavatchalam's background:
'Bakthavatchalam, 68, who heads the Organisation for Civil and Democratic Rights in Chennai, has defended groups like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and Al Umma, the Islamic fundamentalist group accused of involvement in bomb blasts in Tamil Nadu'
...and his take on terrorism
'You call them terrorists, but I would say they are only fighting State terrorism. Otherwise, nobody is happy to be a terrorist. In that context, you can call Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose terrorists. Perspectives differ. These people are wedded to a philosophy. They are also prepared to die to defend that philosophy. But the State wants to annihilate them.'
To put it mildly, one might say that he casts his vote for the underdog. Still - I do agree that everyone's viewpoint must be heard - and therefore we do need the existence of a few (mind you, just a few) Bhaktavatchalams. After all isnt that what a democracy is all about?
So why does he want to defend Saddam?
'In the case of Saddam Hussein also, I do not claim he had always been for the people. He has committed a lot of crimes against his people. But the way in which the Americans are going ahead with the trial, it is quite obvious they want to hang him'
'Whether we succeed in the case or not, we want to expose the real criminal, that is the American government machinery. Saddam is a criminal, but America is a bigger criminal. I have been exposing the government of Tamil Nadu and the Government of India all these years, now I will get a chance to expose the American government also. I felt enraged when the Americans attacked Iraq. What right do they have to attack and rob that country? It means they can also arrest Manmohan Singh and say he is against the people [of India].'
So its really not a fight to defend Saddam. Ironically enough you can see how the 'democratic-powers-that-be' cannot very well suppress this group. This makes it interesting. The trial will, I assume, focus on Saddams crimes. So is the defense actually going to plead 'not guilty'? Or, since the trial will no doubt have an enormous amount of media coverage, will they just use it as a soap-box to further attack the US, while Saddam's fate lies as a foregone conclusion? Either way, an isolated Indian viewpoint will most certainly be represented.
Perhaps a certain Michael Moore, might be a willing ally to Mr. Bhaktavatchalam's cause!
Consider Mr Bhaktavatchalam's background:
'Bakthavatchalam, 68, who heads the Organisation for Civil and Democratic Rights in Chennai, has defended groups like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and Al Umma, the Islamic fundamentalist group accused of involvement in bomb blasts in Tamil Nadu'
...and his take on terrorism
'You call them terrorists, but I would say they are only fighting State terrorism. Otherwise, nobody is happy to be a terrorist. In that context, you can call Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose terrorists. Perspectives differ. These people are wedded to a philosophy. They are also prepared to die to defend that philosophy. But the State wants to annihilate them.'
To put it mildly, one might say that he casts his vote for the underdog. Still - I do agree that everyone's viewpoint must be heard - and therefore we do need the existence of a few (mind you, just a few) Bhaktavatchalams. After all isnt that what a democracy is all about?
So why does he want to defend Saddam?
'In the case of Saddam Hussein also, I do not claim he had always been for the people. He has committed a lot of crimes against his people. But the way in which the Americans are going ahead with the trial, it is quite obvious they want to hang him'
'Whether we succeed in the case or not, we want to expose the real criminal, that is the American government machinery. Saddam is a criminal, but America is a bigger criminal. I have been exposing the government of Tamil Nadu and the Government of India all these years, now I will get a chance to expose the American government also. I felt enraged when the Americans attacked Iraq. What right do they have to attack and rob that country? It means they can also arrest Manmohan Singh and say he is against the people [of India].'
So its really not a fight to defend Saddam. Ironically enough you can see how the 'democratic-powers-that-be' cannot very well suppress this group. This makes it interesting. The trial will, I assume, focus on Saddams crimes. So is the defense actually going to plead 'not guilty'? Or, since the trial will no doubt have an enormous amount of media coverage, will they just use it as a soap-box to further attack the US, while Saddam's fate lies as a foregone conclusion? Either way, an isolated Indian viewpoint will most certainly be represented.
Perhaps a certain Michael Moore, might be a willing ally to Mr. Bhaktavatchalam's cause!
