THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- November 1, 2017- Topic 2

 The Burundi way, on the country's decision to quit ICC

Burundi’s decision to quit the International Criminal Court is likely to resonate in other African states whose leaders have long complained that they are targeted for investigation by the UN institution. But the obstacles faced by the court in The Hague to hold big global powers to account for human rights violations does not detract from the complicity of the region’s many dictators in subverting democratic institutions to keep their grip on power. 

Burundi is the first member-country to leave the ICC. In September, a UN commission investigating violence for over two years under President Pierre Nkurunziza recommended a criminal investigation by the court. The panel corroborated the evidence collected by fact-finding missions, which have reported large-scale incidents of sexual abuse, torture, forced disappearances, and summary executions of over 500 people. The flight of refugees to neighbouring countries is said to have exceeded 400,000. All these atrocities were triggered by legitimate and often heroic protests in this small central African state against one man’s lust for power. Mr. Nkurunziza won a third term in 2015, in contravention of a provision in the 2003 peace agreement and despite an opposition boycott. He rejected the two-term limit in his renewal bid, contending that his first tenure should not be counted as he was elected by parliament rather than through a popular vote. His pursuit of power became all the more savage since an aborted coup prior to the elections, and the military and intelligence services seem to have rallied behind his authoritarian agenda.

Meanwhile, international pressure to bring the situation in Burundi under control has proved ineffective. The African Union (AU) abandoned plans last year to authorise a peacekeeping mission, despite the commitment codified in the bloc’s charter to intervene to prevent genocide. But that initial enthusiasm dissipated. Securing an extension of presidential terms is not unique to the Burundian leader. Burundi’s example may well be emulated by other countries. Within weeks of a parliamentary vote last year to leave the ICC, South Africa announced its own decision, which has been deferred pending legislative approval. More worrying is the mood across the AU to defy the jurisdiction of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC. The erroneous logic of the region’s leaders is that since most of the ICC investigations involve African governments, the institution is somehow biased against the continent. Such arguments are unlikely to appeal to their people. In any case, Mr. Nkurunziza’s regime may not be able to evade the international court; the UN Security Council is empowered, under the Rome Statute, to refer complaints against non-member nations. Having unanimously backed constructive engagement, the Council may exercise its authority if the situation remains dire.

Vocabulary

Resonate: produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.

Example: The sound of the siren resonated across the harbor

Obstacle: a thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.

Example: The major obstacle to achieving that goal is money

Synonyms: barrier, hurdle, stumbling block, obstruction, bar, block

Detract: reduce or take away the worth or value of.

Example: These quibbles in no way detract from her achievement

Synonyms: belittle, take away from, diminish, reduce, lessen

Complicity: the state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.

Example: They were accused of complicity in the attempt to overthrow the government

Synonyms: collusion, involvement, collaboration, connivance

Subvert: undermine the power and authority of an established system or institution.

Example: An attempt to subvert democratic government

Synonyms: destabilize, unsettle, overthrow, overturn, bring down

Corroborate: confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding

Example: The witness had corroborated the boy's account of the attack

Synonyms: confirm, verify, endorse, ratify, authenticate, validate, certify

Legitimate: conforming to the law or to rules.

Example: His claims to legitimate authority

Synonyms: legal, lawful, licit, legalized, authorized, permitted

Lust: have a very strong sexual desire for someone.

Example: He really lusted after me in those days

Synonyms: desire, be consumed with desire for, find sexually attractive

Contravention: an action that violates a law, treaty, or other ruling.

Example: Young persons who commit offenses bear responsibility for their contraventions

Synonyms: breach, violation, infringement, neglect, dereliction

Savage: attack ferociously and maul.

Example: Ewes savaged by marauding dogs

Synonyms: maul, attack, tear to pieces, lacerate, claw, bite

Enthusiasm: intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

Example: Her energy and enthusiasm for life

Synonyms: eagerness, keenness, ardor, fervor, passion, zeal, zest

Dissipate: squander or fritter away money, energy, or resources.

Example: He had dissipated his entire fortune

Synonyms: squander, fritter (away), misspend, waste, be prodigal with

Erroneous: wrong; incorrect.

Example: Employers sometimes make erroneous assumptions

Synonyms: wrong, incorrect, mistaken, in error, inaccurate, untrue

Evade: escape or avoid, especially by cleverness or trickery.

Example: Friends helped him to evade capture for a time

Synonyms: elude, avoid, dodge, escape from, steer clear of, keep at arm's length