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A Danish court has ruled that you can fund organizations guilty of kidnappings and murders, which openly promote armed revolution, but that somehow doesn't aim to "destabilise or destroy the foundations of society".
I guess murders and kidnappings and armed revolutions seek to promote stability and to strengthen the foundations of society, perhaps?
And of course, it doesn't seem to matter to this Danish court that the two groups (FARC, PFLP) are listed on the European Union's list of terrorist organizations, because that doesn't make them "guilty of terrorism".
I was increasingly afraid of this after reading a recent SEMANA article on the case and how the defense had managed to outmaneuver the prosecution and the EU terror list. This may fly in Denmark, at least if there's no appeal to a higher court, but I don't believe this "logic" will work in other European countries (with a couple of possible exceptions) nor in the United States, especially if prosecutors and Colombian authorities decide to give these cases the priority they deserve.
FARC doesn't need such donations to survive, of course, that's hardly the point, but it's still something that their propaganda will happily exploit.
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'Terror T-shirts' Danes cleared
Seven Danes who sold T-shirts with the logos of Colombian and Palestinian militants have been acquitted of supporting terrorist groups.
They had pledged five euros (£3.50) from each sale to the Farc in Colombia or the PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine).
Both are classified as terrorist groups by the European Union.
The judges ruled that while the groups took part in murders and kidnappings, they were not guilty of terrorism.
Test case
Their ruling is being seen as a test case for Denmark's anti-terrorist laws introduced in 2002, which make it illegal to finance groups that feature on the EU's list of terrorist organisations.
While the court agreed the extremists' actions fell under an article in Denmark's penal code on terrorism, they decided there was no proof that their aim was to destabilise or destroy the foundations of society.
Danish police raided the clothing company, Fighters and Lovers, last year, seizing T-shirts and computers and shutting down its website.
The clothing company said it would now seek the return of its confiscated funds so that it could send the money to its two destinations, a Farc radio station and a graphics shop which produces posters in the Palestinian territories.
The Farc has been involved in a 40-year conflict with Colombian state forces and right-wing paramilitary groups, in which tens of thousands of civilians have died.
The PFLP, which combines Arab nationalism with Marxist-Leninist ideology, has carried out suicide attacks inside Israel and against Jewish settlements.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7142569.stm
Published: 2007/12/13 15:39:24 GMT
© BBC MMVII
By juancegomez on Dec 13, 2007, 09:17 in Politics & the war.
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juancegomez says on Dec 13, 2007, 09:41: A few more details...seems one of three judges did believe FARC had carried out at least one terrorist attack (Bojayá) and was (more than obviously) destabilizing the country through kidnappings of politicians, such as Ingrid Betancourt. Who knows what the other two thought about those specific events...
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robi666 says on Dec 13, 2007, 09:50: Juan, you may have missed this about a danish union: "I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present." |
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billyb says on Dec 13, 2007, 09:51: EFEN morons. I bet if a group was doing in Denmark what the FARC is doing in Colombia, the idiots wouldn't be so sanguine about it.
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juancegomez says on Dec 13, 2007, 10:19: robi666: I read about it today, about the union sending a donation to "Raúl Reyes". Thanks for the link.
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gato-bandido says on Dec 13, 2007, 11:13: It's really remarkable that all they could come up with is just one terrorist attack. But not surprising. If you try to find real information on FARC activities (as opposed to propaganda), you know, like dates, circumstances, documents, images of the aftermath, victim and eyewitness testimonies, etc., I doubt you could find much.
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cassini77 says on Dec 13, 2007, 15:25: I do not understand. The government speaks and speaks of FARC atrocities and he is not able to show proofs !!
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 13, 2007, 17:03: "No proofs"(sic)? jajajaajaja
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juancegomez says on Dec 13, 2007, 17:12: cassini77: This isn't necessary...but do you really want me or anyone else to flood this with documents from AI, HRW, UN, etc. in order to prove that there is indeed proof that FARC has committed atrocities?
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scotty says on Dec 14, 2007, 01:09: Cassini, stop smoking the funny little cigarettes before you post. Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash |
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cassini77 says on Dec 14, 2007, 02:51: Dogman, I remember that several nazis were employed by USA after the 2nd world war to fight USSR or to develop space activities. Their antisemitism was tolerated by USA and they were not punished.
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 06:52: Cassini, at least the USA didn't have half of its population coraborating with the Nazis in WWII, they actually fought the Nazis and beat them, not surrendered after only 40 days and then became their bitches like the french did. How can you tell a french tank in battle? They are the only ones with backup lights.
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 08:41: Cassi - name ONE Nazi that was employed by the US. I am talking, a card carrying political party member of the Nazi Party. Don't confuse German soldiers or German scientists with Nazis. Two different things, apples and oranges.
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 08:47: For example, my great uncle, a PHD in physics was a German rocket scientist at Peenemunde. My Grandfather was a German soldier. Both were ANTI Nazi. Both were pretty much forced to do the work they did. My Grandad was actually a Lutheran minister, was persecuted by the Nazis, and then forced to be a messenger for the army and was killed outside of Stalingrad (perhaps your favorite city name).
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cassini77 says on Dec 14, 2007, 13:45: Billyb does not know the history of France. He does not know who were Jean Moulin, André Malraux, Chaban Delmas, Germaine Tillon, Manouchian, Colonel Fabien. He does not know all those patriots who were called terrorists by the Nazis.
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 13:56: "Billyb does not know the history of France"
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scotty says on Dec 14, 2007, 15:39: cassini do really know what you are talking about? first everyone knows that France is famous for surrender. they are just as bad as the USA if not worse going all around the world sticking their noses where they dont belong, France first ones to surrender,FRance first ones to stab their friends in the back, France first ones to let their own country be run over by islamic radicals, the muslems rule in France now. Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash |
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 17:45: "billyb, you are a very small personage"
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 17:48: "and France fucks you"
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 18:47: Actually, France did have a rather robust amount of citizens resisting the Germans during WWII. Let's just say you wouldn't have wanted to be a German soldier walking through the 750 year old narrow alley-ways in Lyon in 1943. France had their share of sympathisers and supporters of Germany also. But to say all French during WWII were complacent is not historically accurate either. The French resistance was infamous, as was the Polish partisans and other occupied people. The amount of Germans taken out by citizens resisting occupation in France and the rest of German occupied Europe during WWII would dwarf the amount of US casualties in Iraq.
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 19:03: Many are unaware that France had the largest standing army in Europe at the start of WWII, they had a larger tank force than Germany, they had the Maginot Line, they were fighting from defensive positions, but the difference was that Germany had German soldiers and France was stuck with french soldiers, so they lasted all of 40 days before they switched sides. That is why the British sank the french fleet of the north african coast, because they knew the french were going to turn it over to Germany.
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 19:15: If all things are equal as far as numbers, and one army decisively beats another, it is a leadership issue. The brass from the colonial level and above are probably to blame. I would have to do some research for specific examples, but the Germans possessed much superior weapons and tactics than the French. They also had much more effective leadership and the troops were highly motivated.
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 19:20: It also boils down to the most elemental level, the average German soldier was tough and proud, their opponent, well, the less said....BTW, if soldiers are not highly motivated when defending their motherland, well what can you say? See dei's post about what the Finns did to a far far superior Russian force that invaded their homeland.
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 19:23: Billyb, not trying to argue but rather learn a little; I remember learning somewhere that of all countries, INDIA had the largest standing army during WWII. 2.5 million I believe.
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 19:32: "Many are unaware that France had the largest standing army in Europe at the start of WWII"
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 19:43: Ah, I wasn't being "Eurocentric" jajajaja. I actually Googled the topic for the last 15 minutes. I can't find any stats. (That I believe or disbelieve) But I totally believe that in Europe, France had the largest army - pre-WWII. I would have guessed the Soviet Union, but I'll buy France for $200 until proven wrong.
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manINred says on Dec 14, 2007, 19:46: "The judges ruled that while the groups took part in murders and kidnappings, they were not guilty of terrorism."
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 20:13: Jesus dogman, do you have to so bitterly rub it in? I almost feel bad for the guy. And I still have a big problem with you lumping "Europeans" into the same bucket. Europe is a small but very diverse continent. If you don't personally like France for example, don't be foolish and assume all Euros are just like France. Have you traveled France, and then traveled Germany ... or a country much farther away like Bulgaria or the Ukraine? Culturally, politically, socially, the countries are quite diverse and different. Do you think a person from Lisbon is identical to a person from Estonia?
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 20:27: RJ, remember also that I said "standing", all those countries, specially Russia quickly ramped up their manpower.
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Sr Tertius says on Dec 14, 2007, 20:31: I haven't followed this thing at all, but just wanted to clarify one point raised by maninred: "When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb) |
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 20:35: How about lobbing gas cylinders at a church full of women and children, does that qualify as an act of terrorism? Or how about killing 39 innocent people with a car bomb at Club El Nogal?
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 20:53: How about setting a small bomb off on a roundabout in Villavicencio, to lure the disco's patrons out, and then setting off a bigger bomb? 12 dead, 2002.
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 14, 2007, 20:54: Most, if not all the dead were children and adults selling chicklets and cigarettes to bar-hoppers.
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manINred says on Dec 14, 2007, 21:05: Ahh thank you for clarification senor Tertius. That adds some legal logic. I still think it is outrageous. As such, my respect is still demeaned for Denmark because if they are allowed to contribute financially to an armed and mobilized group of kidnappers and drug-runners, what does that say about Danish law? Absolutely shocking.
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billyb says on Dec 14, 2007, 21:19: Don't tell me the Danish judges were not aware of the examples given above of FARC handywork. What qualifies as an act of terrorism in their mind then?
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Sr Tertius says on Dec 15, 2007, 06:44: Billyb, RJ: I don't know what constitutes terrorism for the EU or the danes. If it depended on me, the examples you cite would qualify as mass murder, with its legal consequences. "Terrorism" is an equivocal term that leave a lot of murderers off the hook, and innocent people in places like Gitmo. "When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb) |
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Sr Tertius says on Dec 15, 2007, 06:49: Wait, extraterritoriality is not the word I'm looking for. I forgot what it is, maybe a lawyer here can give me a hand. It's the concept that your law applies anywhere, so if I'm caught in NJ, I may be judged there for a murder I committed in Choconta. I think only the US and Belgium (were Kissinger is awaiting trial) have this kind of legislation. "When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb) |
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juancegomez says on Dec 15, 2007, 08:10: The thing is, even if you leave the entire "terrorism" issue and its vague implications out of this for the sake of simplicity, providing (significant or symbolic amounts of) money to kidnappers and murderers is hardly any better... it's still quite repugnant even in the absence of "universal jurisdiction", if that's the concept SrTertius is looking for.
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Sr Tertius says on Dec 15, 2007, 08:54: Aha! I think that's the term. Thanks Juance. "When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb) |
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Tinto (Moderator) says on Dec 15, 2007, 09:21: For the people trading insults above: I don't have all morning to edit or delete the numerous comments that break the rules. If you want to continue the discussion, stay on topic and play by the rules or this entire thread will be deleted.
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vladimiro says on Dec 15, 2007, 10:37: EU terror list is politically motivated. They take the same orgs on and off the list regularly depending on the negotiations with the governments the opp orgs oppose, and pressure from the US. The FARC toured Europe during the Pastrana regime just a few years ago. They were well received in Europe and made many connections with political orgs there.
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manINred says on Dec 15, 2007, 21:18: "My point is Europeans are full of spite and envy when confronting the power of the United States..."
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Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 15, 2007, 21:38: I always said that problem with this case is that it ultimately derives down to prosecuting a bunch of wingnuts for selling T-shirts and saying they were going to make a small donation to the FARC.
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billyb says on Dec 15, 2007, 21:52: I would really have had no problem if they were not prosecuted in the first place, as you say, they are inconsequential wingnuts, but I have a problem with the judges not finding that the FARC commits terrorist acts, that part is just ludicrous.
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Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 16, 2007, 02:29: FYI dogman, I'm not a "monitor", I'm a "moderator". What's the difference? A moderator has executive powers, a monitor just reads and comments. "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 16, 2007, 02:55: Self edited and deleted. Since I am under the influence of Bud Light, I will refrain from commenting (much).... but I am with you Desi. I will just add quickly that it is ironic how somebody fiercely patriotic and quick to defend the US for anything, will then openly bash and throw crap around at random at an entire continent. And I now know why some people think of me as an "Ugly American". Appreciate it Dogman. NOT.
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 16, 2007, 03:01: "I have never considered Great Britain part of Europe". Well that's profound. I guess Key West isn't part of the US? Using your brilliant .... I don't even know what to call it? Logic?
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Robert Jorge says on Dec 16, 2007, 03:09: That was actually a bad example. You compared a country to a continent. I compared a island to a country. To accurately show your ignorance, I should have compared country to continent, preferably island so you would better be able to get the point. So, Japan isn't part of Asia? Cuba isn't part of America? Dominican Republic, Haiti aren't part of America? (call it north or south, no importante)
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manINred says on Dec 16, 2007, 07:57: Well said RJ
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manINred says on Dec 16, 2007, 08:46: "Maybe that is why I lump all europeans together, for it is honestly tit for tat, and it got the recation that I was looking for."
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Colombiche says on Dec 16, 2007, 15:27: Danish teenagers wearing Farc T-shirt..... arghghgh. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) |
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goin_south says on Dec 16, 2007, 18:28: Teens and other kids do alot of things they don't understand. why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE! |
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