But there is happy news

[sabotabby]

I've been spamming FB about this but I'm going to spam here too because it's important. Former Guatemalan dictator José Efraín Rios Montt was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity and sentenced to 80 years in prison. Fucker's going to rot in jail, and if I'm wrong about the whole atheism thing, he's going to rot in hell before the sentence is up. I'd like to see him hanged from a lamp post but this is pretty great too.

Xeni Jardin at BoingBoing has provided excellent blow-by-blow coverage of the trial, so you can read that if you're interested in the details and why this verdict is so important for the indigenous people of Guatemala. If you have more time, you should also read I, Rigoberta Menchu.

Speaking of Rigoberta Menchu, here she is reacting to the verdict.

Two of my friends lived in Guatemala for a number of years and are re-tweeting play-by-plays from the courtroom. Apparently, there are cheering crowds, singing this song, which has for years been one of my favourite songs of all time:

Comments

[bcholmes.livejournal.com]

Now I'm hoping against hope with regards to the Duvalier trial.

[sabotabby]

Yeah. I'm not holding out hope or anything, but this seems to be an indication that at least these things are possible. Even if justice has to wait decades, it can happen.

[jackspryte.livejournal.com]

I can hardly believe this. It's does nothing for the untold (really, sincerely....untold is right. The actual numbers are still not accurately known and will likely never be...I believe like many that 1700 is a very low estimate) thousands of dead indigenous people but wow! Fucking Wow!!!

The world needs more news like this.

[sabotabby]

It gives their families, friends, and communities some closure, though, which I think is very important. The pictures from the courtroom were powerful—all of those people watching and reliving the horror and now they can at least say that something came out of it.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

Been following it at the boing. I'm really glad. I like a lamppost idea, too.

[sabotabby]

To quote a much-missed friend, sometimes four walls are three too many.

[ironed_orchid]

This is so great.

[sabotabby]

I was having the Worst Day, and this made it a better day. I can still be uplifted by other people's triumph.

[unemployia.livejournal.com]

thank you for sharing

[sabotabby]

Any time!

[constintina.livejournal.com]

I saw this today! Was happily surprised! This is great!

[sabotabby]

Something to be happy about, anyway.

[springheel-jack.livejournal.com]

Do you think this is that nutcase who stalks us?

http://springheel-jack.dreamwidth.org/1928446.html#comments

[sabotabby]

I'm guessing not; the syntax is less weird.