http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8645584.stm
This article discusses an event that took place about 20 years ago. A Panamanian military leader, Manuel Noriega, who previously had good relations with the US, was convicted of drug trafficking, and spent 17 years in prison in the US. After 17 years, Noriega wanted to return back to Panama to serve the rest of his sentence, but his appeals were rejected and he has now been sent to France to serve the rest of his time. This article brings up the issue of the rights of prisoners of war, one that is very much alive today. With the controversy going on in Guantanamo Bay, it is evident that the lines are still hazy concerning the label of "prisoner of war," and the rights they have. In this sense, this article brings up the past, which is still very present today.
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It also brings up interesting points in realism. I think it's interesting the he was sent to France, an Ally of the U.S. for the continuation of his sentence. Political allies seem to very important in relations that extend into the punishment of people. Would some realists/ liberalists go so far as to argue that democracies punish the same as other democracies?
ReplyDeleteI also think the fact that he was extradited to France is very interesting. It seems from the article that his only relation to France was that he used drug money to buy apartments in Paris. I wonder what behind the scenes deals went on between the US and France to get him extradited.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if realists/liberalists would go so far as to say that democracies punish the same as other democracies. For example, some democracies practice the death penalty. I don't know if Noriega would have been sent to a democracy if he was going to be killed there.
First, I also agree this is an interesting set of events. However, I think his extradition to France may have more to do with the differing standards of treatment prisoners receive in France compared to Panama. I read that in the United States, Noreiga has the status of a prisoner of war and is treated well with a phone, exercise bike and color television in his private room. In France, he would lose this status and his amenities. However, in Panama it is likely he would be placed under house arrest given his age. Therefore, there is no question why he would like to be extradited to Panama over France if he has to leave the U.S. Given he was a prisoner for 17 years, why would the U.S. release him into a more cushy situation than he was already in? Therefore, I think his extradition to France had less to do with the United States’ relationship with both countries and more to do with the treatment he would receive in each country.
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