Yemen leader Saleh agrees to step down

[AndyHB]

President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen has agreed to step down under a 30-day transition plan aimed at ending violent unrest over his 32-year rule.

Officials in the capital Sanaa confirmed the government had accepted the plan drawn up by Gulf Arab states.

Mr Saleh will hand power to his vice-president one month after an agreement is signed with the opposition, in return for immunity from prosecution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13178887

Having taught some kids from the Yemen in the past, I was gladdened to hear that Mr Saleh has agreed to stand down, but was then saddened to hear that it was in return for immunity from prosecution.

What do folk think about this kind of arrangement?  Is it, in the long run, best to forgive(?) the excesses of one man and his followers for the better interest of the nation?  Could we see this being copied by, say, Robert Mugabe if enough pressure was brought to bear on him?  Were people happy when something similar happened to Idi Amin?

What is the ethical and/or moral position regarding such action?

[AndrewF]

What is the ethical and/or moral position regarding such action?

Interesting question - does it come under the same heading as attempting  assassination of Hitler to end the war early - or that of arranging the death of a rebel-rouser to prevent the Romans cracking down on the Jews in AD33?

I would say that the answer is that he should not be offered the deal, but should be arrested by the Yemeni police/army! The trouble with this line is that the repression would go on until a coup d'etat forced him from office, which could be a while if the army/police are not sure enough of their support or strong enough without support - and would the latter be any better? - Though equally will his vice president be any better - after all he is a (presumably) trusted member of the ruling regime, and at that level will be heavily implicated in the repression that has been happening.
Of course, the immunity from prosecution is limited to those who sign the agreement, not the international community, so he could still be tried at the International Court....

[ecuworrier]

deals of expedience are part of the course of criminal justice it's a wonder anyone ever gets to jail.... i have a suspicion that the yemeni situation is gonna be complicated whatever happens .....  it's a development of sorts along with all the other developments in the middle east one watches with some sense of   .... unknowing

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[AndyHB]

i have a suspicion that the yemeni situation is gonna be complicated whatever happens .....  it's a development of sorts along with all the other developments in the middle east one watches with some sense of   .... unknowing

When one remembers how countries such as the Yemen, Somalia, even Iraq and Iran came into being, one has to wonder just how much blame has to be attached to the colonial powers that allowed the division of ethnic groups between neighbouring countries in the first place!!

[AndrewF]

Allowed be blowed! It was entirely deliberate - and crass!