Rights group calls for US reparations over 1989 Panama invasion

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Digital Journal


BY JUAN JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ (AFP) 11 HOURS AGO

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has called on Washington to compensate victims and families of the 1989 invasion of Panama, accusing US forces of multiple rights violations as they moved to overthrow dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega, according to a newly released document.

A 91-page report issued Friday says the United States "is responsible" for violating civilians' rights "to life, liberty (and) security."

The report says the US "must adopt measures of economic compensation."

Asked by AFP for comment, the US Embassy in Panama said that it "deeply regrets the loss of civilian lives during Operation Just Cause."

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/rights-group-calls-for-us-reparations-over-1989-panama-invasion/article/537093

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The Panama Deception is a 1992 American documentary film that won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.[1] The film is critical of the actions of the U.S. military during the 1989 invasion of Panama, covering the conflicting reasons for the invasion. It also highlighted media bias within the United States, showing events that were unreported or systematically misreported, including downplaying the number of civilian casualties. It was directed by Barbara Trent, written and edited by David Kasper, and narrated by actress Elizabeth Montgomery. It was a production of the Empowerment Project.

The film asserts that the U.S. government invaded Panama primarily to destroy the PDF, the Panamanian Defense Forces, who were perceived as a threat to U.S. control over Panama, and to install a government friendly to U.S. interests. The film includes footage of mass graves uncovered after the American troops had withdrawn, burned down neighborhoods, as well as depictions of some of the 20,000 refugees who fled the fighting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Panama_Deception

[Takket]

1. I'm sure drumpf will get right on that. Good luck.

[gtar100]

2. But that's what our military does best...maime and kill civilians.

It's a trait of all military regardless of country. They call it collateral damage, a euphemism for people who happened to get in their way. They are astonishingly effective at it. That along with wasting our money.

[sandensea]

3. The El Chorillo massacre. That's where depleted uranium was first used on a large scale.

They must've been pleased with the results; his son carpeted Baghdad with them during his 2003 invasion.

Thank you for finding and posting this, Judi. A very negative but notable turn in world history that should be recognized as such.