In How We Got Here #51, we revisit the trial of Slobodan Milosevic with lawyer
Judith Armatta, the author of the new book Twilight of Impunity. Armatta spent
three years in the Hague monitoring the historic trial for the Washington-based
Coalition for International Justice. Her book is both a detailed account of what
transpired in the courtroom and an in-depth analysis of its meaning and
implications for the burgeoning new world of international criminal justice.
Armatta remains focused on the voices of the victims throughout:
I was astounded by what they were able to do, the courage that they showed, and with writing the book I wanted to bring some of their stories forward too, so people could really hear them. The purpose of the trial–one of the main purposes for me–is you’re really needing to re-weave the web of humanity that’s been broken, our community, our human community. It’s been broken so egregiously by horrible crimes. We want to stand with the victims, we don’t want to stand with the perpetrators. And they need to know that. They need to know that the people of the world recognize how seriously they’ve been harmed, and care about it.
© 2010 PRI's World