In a wonderful case of the pot calling the kettle black, the US stomped its feet at the reprehensible actions of a member fo the Emirates royal family. The torture of a man, which was videoed, has sent US authorities into a high spin cycle of moral wash. It’s a very nasty example of what goes on “over there”. Authoritarian regimes tend to treat people however they feel like it. But somehow its what we have come to expect from certain nations.

The US is taking this very seriously and reportedly holding up several military technology deals whilst the case is looked over. At the same time, Dick Cheney, the Republican Robespierre, is a strong supporter of torture himself, a stand which has cost the US incalcuable harm in terms of foreign relations and standing.

Whilst the new administration has taken a strong stance against torture and has shut down Guantanamo Bay, the US has yet to recover from its actions during the Bush years.In fact this exchange shows that the country is very much split on the issue of torture as a means to and end…if it’s the right thing to do. Never mind that the US has rather lost its mojo when it comes to freedom and liberty and right to a fair trial, it is still yet to recover and find its feet on this issue.

The spreading of democracy and freedom by the sword seems to sounds very much like the spreading of the word of God by the sword. Are they one and the same? Has the US turned to the darkside? The war on terror or war of terror? The zeal of many Americans towards towards justifiable torture creates some interesting historical parallels.

As Brandeis said ” The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” Essentially “men of zeal” have always justified their actions by proclaiming some form of revelation, enlightenment or spiritual cleansing. The poster boys or high priests (literally) of torture, the Inquisitors, ahowed us the road to God but ultimately were trumped by Robespierre, surely the father of modern terror, in the world of modern state. Perhaps terror was France’s most infamous and underreported export?

As Robespierre put it “This terrible war waged by liberty against tyranny” must surely involve killing many people…who are not on the right side of the ledger…..and on and on……Leopold (The Belgian Genocider), Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot all merrily feasted on the droppings of this freedom lover. Can “virtue and terror” sleep easily with each other. I think not.

It’s good to see the US authorities reacting with dismay and distaste to this story. Only now can they really face up to what has happened over the last 8 years (and let’s face it many years before). But also what is clear is that its a debate that has someway to run as the US pillars freedom, liberty and virture are disinfected by the sunlight.

It’s just year now since I wrote about the death of Dith Pran and Kaing Guek Eav, the commandant of S-21 who was finally put up for trial. Well now the time has come for Duch to face justice, some 30 years after he oversaw the imprisonment, torture and execution of some 15,000 people.

It’s been a long wait for many Cambodians but justice, although seemingly asleep, can be awoken at any time. It’s also a poignant moment for Kiwis as Kerry Hamill, brother of Rob Hamill, the NZ rower, was one of the victims along with a British man, John Dewhirst and a Canadian, Stuart Glass. Their boat had drfited into Cambodian waters in 1978 leaving them at the mercy of the murderous regime. Stuart Glass was killed instantly but John and Kerry made the harsh journey to camp S-21 where they eventually were killed.

Another Kiwi, Dame Silvia Cartwright, is one of the five judges appointed to oversee the trial. It will undoubtedly be a very testing case to judge even though the evidence is quite clear. It will hopefully prompt the international community to look around the world and see if it could be doing more to prevent genocides and other cleansings from taking place.

They could start by looking at the decimation of the Karen people in the world’s No 1 Murder Regime, Mynamar. But there is no shortage of murderous action around the world especially where natural resources are plentiful. Plus ca change………

As for Duch and his explanations, I think we are long past accepting “i was following orders” as any kind of defense for violent action.

As Edmund Burke said “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”

Today reminds us to remember those who rot in jails without a fair trial, due process, being tortured, maltreated and malnourished. For what?

Expressing a thought, an opinion, a belief.

How we treat each other is a reflection of the world around us, a manifestation of a sickness that expresses itself in the near constant drama of war and crisis.

That’s why human rights abuses are the thin end of a very big wedge. It’s a good time to read through the UN Declaration and spend a few minutes thinking about what it means to us as individuals.

And then please sign up as a member of Amnesty International wherever you live.

December 10th is the 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Click on the badge above and see where it takes you.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

In many countries it’s hard to fund an impartial tribunal never mind actually get a hearing. Nowhere is this more difficult than the abusive regime in Burma which jailed at least 11dissidents, involved in the recent monk led uprising, to 65 years in jail.

No defense. Closed session.

Nice to see Obama looking to close Guantanamo Bay. The need for due process has never been more pressing.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

The focus so far has been on freedom, equality and the application of the rule of law. But no article better enshrines the fear many people live with, namely that someone will come to your house and take you away.

Arbitrary arrest and detention are weapons of fear. They walk closely in hand with torture, which can be liberally applied in some dark, dank cell where no one is watching.

This is a weapon for crushing democracy and freedom. Countries like Burma continue to use it today to make sure their population is suppressed and bathed in fear.

When you go to bed tonight spare a thought for those who sleep lightly whilst waiting for the knock at the door.