Humans have a notorious history of injustice to their fellow man, regardless of the flag they worship. Any number of colonial powers committed any number of atrocities against the 'savages'. Native cultures like the Maoris used to slaughter other tribes and drink the blood of their enemies. The Romans would kill 1 in 10 of any unit that needed discipline. The same was used in 1918 by the Finns. The Imperial Japanese are reported to have committed many unspeakable acts during the years of WW2 and yet that part of their history is not taught to their children these days.
In the 21st century, I feel it is unlikely that we'll see major western governments engaging in systematic abuse of human rights such as we saw in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Improved communications have seen the world get smaller, women have the vote and previously oppressed minorities are now legally (and for the most part, socially) equal. The attitudes that led to that kind of behaviour are no longer the ones that lead our governments.
As to accountability for previous actions, there has to be a statute of limitations. I would not like to be held accountable for the illegal actions of my brother, let alone those of my father or grandfather.
As to remembering the brutality of their government, again, how far do we push that? Constant reminders to the German people that they were responsible for WW1 was (I believe) the driving force behind WW2. If we keep reminding German kids that WW2 and WW1 was their country's fault, should we also remind them that it was the Saxons and Angles that invaded Britain? Should we be reminding Italian children that the Romans raped and pillaged most of Europe and the mid-east?
I don't have clear answers for these. I wouldn't care to be the one to draw a line and say this is where the responsibility starts/ends. But I also feel that some things should be left to rest.
