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Ethical Judgment
Nov. 7th, 2006 11:11 amSo here's a question for you...
In 1975, Greece was being ruled by a fairly brutal regime referred to as the Junta. In the best Cold War fashion, dissidents were tortured, and it was generally a pretty ugly time. The US backed this government because they promised to be on our side against the USSR. The name of the CIA station chief in Greece was revealed, and one night, a group of three men and one woman surrounded him in front of his house and shot him at close range, with his wife standing right there. These assailants went on to become 17 November, a terror group that would kill Americans, Turks, Brits, and many Greeks, long after the Junta fell.
In 2002, an accident led to the arrest of many members of 17 November. Many confessed immediately upon being arrested. One man in particular confessed to membership in 17N and to participating in the murder of the CIA chief. He recanted his confession later on the advice of his attorney, and spent about 18 months in prison.
Once released, he sued Greece for imprisoning him. Last week, the European Union's Court of Human Rights determined that keeping him in prison prevented him from receiving treatment for his MS and was tantamount to torture. They directed Greece to pay him 15,000 euros in fines.
What are the ethics of this judgment? And how do they apply to the EU's stated commitment to fight terrorism?
In 1975, Greece was being ruled by a fairly brutal regime referred to as the Junta. In the best Cold War fashion, dissidents were tortured, and it was generally a pretty ugly time. The US backed this government because they promised to be on our side against the USSR. The name of the CIA station chief in Greece was revealed, and one night, a group of three men and one woman surrounded him in front of his house and shot him at close range, with his wife standing right there. These assailants went on to become 17 November, a terror group that would kill Americans, Turks, Brits, and many Greeks, long after the Junta fell.
In 2002, an accident led to the arrest of many members of 17 November. Many confessed immediately upon being arrested. One man in particular confessed to membership in 17N and to participating in the murder of the CIA chief. He recanted his confession later on the advice of his attorney, and spent about 18 months in prison.
Once released, he sued Greece for imprisoning him. Last week, the European Union's Court of Human Rights determined that keeping him in prison prevented him from receiving treatment for his MS and was tantamount to torture. They directed Greece to pay him 15,000 euros in fines.
What are the ethics of this judgment? And how do they apply to the EU's stated commitment to fight terrorism?
