Guatemala Assignment

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Guatemala Assignment

Question 1

Pamela Yates made the film Granito in order to reveal the extent of the civilian war in Guatemala between peasant revolutionaries and genocidal military. It offers an in-depth look at the oppression the people faced due to the regime at the time and how justice was eventually achieved.

Question 2

The scene from Granito that sticks out the most in my memory is the disappearance of the union leaders and the threats that they faced from the genocidal military. The level of anguish and heartache suffered by the families and other victims was compelling and equally informative.

Question 3

Universal jurisdiction refers to the allowance given to international organizations or states to have jurisdiction over offences of a criminal nature regardless of where the offence was committed, the nationality of the individual, or the origin (Macedo 8). A judge in Spain held hearings of the Guatemala genocide case in order to dispense justice on the crimes against humanity and oppression suffered.

Question 4

One of the advantages of trying cases in the country they were committed as opposed to internationally is that it is cheaper and saves on time, witnesses are available, and there is the ease of clarifications. The main disadvantage of the above is that influences of the political dimensions can hamper the efforts of such trials and cases of unrest can negate the process.

Question 5

Kate Doyle presented the documentation evidence of the scorched operations in the country from the security forces. The evidence was important as it depicted the senior government officials, military heads, and the former president’s involvement in the crimes (Martinez 23).

Question 6

Alejandra Garcia’s story is a personal reflection of her struggles and family since her husband was a union worker. The story highlights the impact it had to the family and the oppression they suffered at the time.

Works Cited

Macedo, Stephen. Universal Jurisdiction: National Courts and the Prosecution of Serious Crimes under International Law. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2004. Print.

Martínez, Salazar E. Global Coloniality of Power in Guatemala: Racism, Genocide, Citizenship. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books, 2012. Print.