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The Sun Climbs Slow: Justice in the Age of Imperial America
A powerful investigation of the story and individuals behind America’s refusal to acknowledge international law and an inquiry into the urgent role of international criminal justice from the award-winning, bestselling author of Long Shadows.
In this groundbreaking investigation, Erna Paris explores the history of global justice, the politics behind America’s opposition to the creation of a permanent international criminal court, and the implications for the world at large.
At the end of the twentieth century, two extraordinary events took place. The first was the end of the Cold War, which left the world with a single empire that dominated global affairs with a ready fist. The second event was the birth of the International Criminal Court–the first permanent tribunal of its kind. The ICC prosecutes crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Its mandate is to confront impunity and demand accountability for the worst crimes known.
But on March 11, 2003, when the new court was inaugurated in a moving ceremony, one country was conspicuously missing from the celebrations. The government of the United States had made it clear that the International Criminal Court was not consistent with American goals and values.
The Sun Climbs Slow grapples with an emerging dilemma of the twenty-first century: the tension between unchallenged political power and the rule of international law.
The legacy of the twentieth century is one of unsurpassed brutality. Within the span of one century, we have witnessed the genocide of Armenian civilians by the Turks in 1915; the murderous Japanese assault on Nanjing, China, in 1937; the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews in mid-century; the special horror of Josef Stalin’s crimes against his own people; apartheid in South Africa; the annihilation of millions of Cambodians by their fellow countryman, Pol Pot; the grotesque cruelties of Idi Amin in Uganda; vicious genocides in Yugoslavia and Rwanda; and the ongoing shame of Darfur, the Congo, and the other warring regions of the African continent. What, then, is the simple, powerful idea behind this great gathering? The International Criminal Court’s mandate is to prosecute the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, the most serious offenses ever codified, making it a newborn with enough muscle to influence the way nations, and especially their leaders, consider their choices. It has been mandated to mount an assault on the age-old scourge of criminal impunity, on behalf of the peoples of the world.
—from The Sun Climbs Slow
In this groundbreaking investigation, Erna Paris explores the history of global justice, the politics behind America’s opposition to the creation of a permanent international criminal court, and the implications for the world at large.
At the end of the twentieth century, two extraordinary events took place. The first was the end of the Cold War, which left the world with a single empire that dominated global affairs with a ready fist. The second event was the birth of the International Criminal Court–the first permanent tribunal of its kind. The ICC prosecutes crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Its mandate is to confront impunity and demand accountability for the worst crimes known.
But on March 11, 2003, when the new court was inaugurated in a moving ceremony, one country was conspicuously missing from the celebrations. The government of the United States had made it clear that the International Criminal Court was not consistent with American goals and values.
The Sun Climbs Slow grapples with an emerging dilemma of the twenty-first century: the tension between unchallenged political power and the rule of international law.
The legacy of the twentieth century is one of unsurpassed brutality. Within the span of one century, we have witnessed the genocide of Armenian civilians by the Turks in 1915; the murderous Japanese assault on Nanjing, China, in 1937; the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews in mid-century; the special horror of Josef Stalin’s crimes against his own people; apartheid in South Africa; the annihilation of millions of Cambodians by their fellow countryman, Pol Pot; the grotesque cruelties of Idi Amin in Uganda; vicious genocides in Yugoslavia and Rwanda; and the ongoing shame of Darfur, the Congo, and the other warring regions of the African continent. What, then, is the simple, powerful idea behind this great gathering? The International Criminal Court’s mandate is to prosecute the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, the most serious offenses ever codified, making it a newborn with enough muscle to influence the way nations, and especially their leaders, consider their choices. It has been mandated to mount an assault on the age-old scourge of criminal impunity, on behalf of the peoples of the world.
—from The Sun Climbs Slow
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
9 people want to read
About the author
Erna Paris
17 books9 followersErna Paris was a Canadian non-fiction author born in Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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August 3, 2011This book is more than just an account of the ICC and the ways and means in which the US under the Bush Administration fought to destroy it. It is a history of the the peace process itself starting with Ancient Greece and culminating with the Idealists whose notions about human rights are (supposedly) embodied in the UN. It is about the evolving mindset on what makes a nation and what constitutes a crime. The dance of politicians in the face of justice looking for a quick peace. It is still early days for the ICC but in the end those that are "untouchable" will find themselves facing justice. That is the hope being promised by the ICC.
How interesting that as soon as I finish reading this book, The Globe and Mail reports that Canadian officials knew about the tortures. Had I known, I would have held off on turning in my essay by only a day or so.
How interesting that as soon as I finish reading this book, The Globe and Mail reports that Canadian officials knew about the tortures. Had I known, I would have held off on turning in my essay by only a day or so.
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July 26, 2011The author weaves between two corresponding topics; the history of the international criminal court and America's current foreign policy. If done well it might have worked but here it just lacked focus and isn't helped by the author's insistence on comparing the Nuremberg trials to American behaviour. There's much to criticize about America's current ignoring and deliberate breach of international law but Nazi comparisons do not make for an intelligent discussion.
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August 29, 2011well written and articulate account of the United States involvement in world events and how their actions or lack of actions defined world action.This book details how agencies often work at cross purposes.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews