Public Amnesty

Yesterday, Algerians voted in a democratic referendum on whether or not to grant amnesty to perpetrators of violence from various sides of the conflict. The proposed amnesty would exclude certain crimes, like massacres, but if mandated through a public vote, will grant amnesty broadly. This phase of conflict began in Algeria in the early 1990s and has left more than 150,000 dead. This referendum is very unusual. It is perhaps the first time that the amnesty question has been put to a public through a referendum.

See this.

This quote is telling:

"National reconciliation cannot be achieved on the grounds of impunity. Responsibilities on both sides of the civil war have to be clearly determined first."

posted by Lazarus, 6:25 PM