Libya: Darkness eclipses the Arab Spring

Gadaffi's final moments revealed just how brutal we humans are capable of being to each other. In the capture of Gadaffi there was an opportunity for the Libyan people to show themselves to be greater than their oppressor. By mutilating and executing Gadaffi, the Libyan rebels have not only prevented Gadaffi from having to face a trial, but they have dipped their own regime in blood and have silenced Gadaffi's victims.

Gadaffi should have faced a trial not only for the cause of justice but to give his victims a voice. The full extent of Gadaffi's crimes will go with him to the grave, as will the stories of the silenced victims. Where we should have a trial, we instead have rulers across the globe armed with Gadaffi's dollars, helping him posthumously to cover up his sins. The people murdered by Gadaffi's regime can't be brought back, but their stories deserve to be heard.

The Arab Spring was supposed to be about freedom from oppressive regimes. Across the Middle East and Africa the worst of these regimes are still standing on the throat of their civilians. The freedom that seemed so close and within reach in January seems like it's dying.