There is probably a good reason why dominant powers seek to quell and suppress resisters at the earliest possibility. The failure to do may give rise to further outbreaks, particularly where there is every reason to believe why this may happen. Protests which began in Tunisia (and are still ongoing - the political situation has still not resolved itself) have spurred and inspired similar resistance in other countries, in particular Egypt. What has quite possibly inspired others to follow suit was former Tunisian President, Ben Ali's hasty resignation and flight from his country to Saudi Arabia. Many Egyptians are calling for President Hosni Mubarak to resign.
Thus far, Mr. Mubarak has refused to step down immediately, although he has stated that he would relinquish control in September. Furthermore, a number of cabinet ministers have agreed to resign, including Mubarak's son Gamal who many perceived as being the President's likely (dynastic) successor. Still, this has not been enough for the anti-democracy protesters who are still gathering in many places and calling for Mr. Mubarak's immediate resignation and departure. Although it is likely that many will want to see Mubarak prosecuted for numerous crimes committed by his state against its own people. The persistence is fierce notwithstanding the counter-resistance measures launched by so-called pro-Mubarak supporters against the anti-democratic supporters and journalists. It is highly suspected that these are merely hired thugs seeking to do what Mubarak is reluctant to have his military openly doing under the international community's watchful eye.
These are ongoing developments and so one should not be rash in attempting to predict what will happen in the coming days and weeks. What we shall be looking at however are the ways that law will be deployed either to stifle or suppress resistance while it is taking place or once some semblance of "stability" has been restored, and/or the ways in which law is being used to support or legitimize the resistance. This use of law and legal systems does not have to be domestically based but could take place on foreign soil. For example, a state may seek to legitimize one of the fallen dictators or their wealthy supporters (such as Saudi Arabia and Mr. Ben Ali), or seek to legitimize the resistance by complying with requests for extradition (even in the absence of an extradition treaty). Mr. Belhassen Trebelsi, the billionaire brother-in-law of Mr. Ben Ali entered Canada under his status as a permanent resident. Tunisia has sought extradition and Canada was willing to comply, however Trebelsi has filed an asylum claim.
As the political, social and economic aspects of these phenomena unfold we will be paying attention to the legal ramifications and considerations of what is transpiring. Law plays an important role in legitimizing and/or suppressing resistance.
Thus far, Mr. Mubarak has refused to step down immediately, although he has stated that he would relinquish control in September. Furthermore, a number of cabinet ministers have agreed to resign, including Mubarak's son Gamal who many perceived as being the President's likely (dynastic) successor. Still, this has not been enough for the anti-democracy protesters who are still gathering in many places and calling for Mr. Mubarak's immediate resignation and departure. Although it is likely that many will want to see Mubarak prosecuted for numerous crimes committed by his state against its own people. The persistence is fierce notwithstanding the counter-resistance measures launched by so-called pro-Mubarak supporters against the anti-democratic supporters and journalists. It is highly suspected that these are merely hired thugs seeking to do what Mubarak is reluctant to have his military openly doing under the international community's watchful eye.
These are ongoing developments and so one should not be rash in attempting to predict what will happen in the coming days and weeks. What we shall be looking at however are the ways that law will be deployed either to stifle or suppress resistance while it is taking place or once some semblance of "stability" has been restored, and/or the ways in which law is being used to support or legitimize the resistance. This use of law and legal systems does not have to be domestically based but could take place on foreign soil. For example, a state may seek to legitimize one of the fallen dictators or their wealthy supporters (such as Saudi Arabia and Mr. Ben Ali), or seek to legitimize the resistance by complying with requests for extradition (even in the absence of an extradition treaty). Mr. Belhassen Trebelsi, the billionaire brother-in-law of Mr. Ben Ali entered Canada under his status as a permanent resident. Tunisia has sought extradition and Canada was willing to comply, however Trebelsi has filed an asylum claim.
As the political, social and economic aspects of these phenomena unfold we will be paying attention to the legal ramifications and considerations of what is transpiring. Law plays an important role in legitimizing and/or suppressing resistance.
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