From New York Times, 7/8/01: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E4DB1238F93BA35754C0A9679C8B63&scp=1&sq=argentina+accountability&st=nyt
The indictment of Carlos Menem, the former president of Argentina, by a federal judge in 2001 demonstrated encouraging advance for legal accountability in a country where the powerful had too often enjoyed impunity from prosecution for their misdeeds. The level of political accountability in Argentina was extremely low and allowed for great corruption by the country’s leaders. However, with the indictment of Menem, the courts signaled a change in tolerance for this type of act, and showed that vertical accountability would come to Argentine politics.
But, before prosectution, Menem left Argentina for Chile, where he was safe from extradition for questioning of his crimes. In 2004 his arrest warrants were cancelled, paving the way for his return to Argentina. However, multiple re-election attempts by Menem for Senate and governor failed, possibly showing the growing anti-corruption movement amongst Argentines.
1 response so far ↓
monicapachon // February 12, 2008 at 10:40 pm
The role of courts is very important – especially in these cases were information isn’t available at the time of elections – but rather late.
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