Re: [OPE] Venezuela and Human Rights Watch

Chavez's enemies have a clear interest in accusing his regime of human rights violations, but this does not automatically mean the accusations are false. In fact, they will be far more powerful if they have some basis in reality, if they correspond to popular experience. Ideally socialists should have their own means of investigating what is going on.

Human rights violations are normal in most capitalist countries. In principle, I don't expect Venezuela to be any different, except that the regime there often acts in the name of socialism. I agree with Alejandro that this should make us more suspicious and critical, not less. Socialists should be the strongest supporters of freedom and democracy. Sorry if this is simple, but I think it is true.

Paula

_______________________________________________
ope mailing list
ope@lists.csuchico.edu
https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/ope
Received on Tue Sep 23 17:09:31 2008