Migrants and Refugees Face Inhuman Living Conditions and Abuse in Greek Prisons

Migrants and Refugees Face Inhuman Living Conditions and Abuse in Greek Prisons

By Ricardo Zamora

Impunity Watch Reporter Europe

STRASBOURG, France – A recent investigation in the Greek prison system revealed severe police abuses against detainees.  The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), the experts that lead the investigation, report that police conduct, at times, bordered on torture.

In its report, the CPT notes instances of detainees being punched, kicked, beaten with clubs and even threatened with rape.

While the below-par living conditions in Greece’s prisons are not novel, the increasing detention has many human rights and political groups worried that living conditions and abuses will worsen.

In response to such concerns, the Council of Europe is calling on Europe to help Greece process inmates.

The “Dublin II Regulation” is major reason Greece is receiving so many migrants.  The regulation is an EU law that determines which state is responsible for looking into an asylum-seeker’s application.

While it aims to consider the legitimate concerns of asylum seekers and irregular migrants, the living conditions individuals face by being sent to Greek prisons under its guise indicates indifference.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and human rights groups are calling for the stop of returns under the regulation because of the inadequate protection against inhuman conditions in Greece.

The European Court of Human Rights seems to share those concerns.  In a recent opinion it appealed to Austria, the Netherlands and Britain not to send any individuals back to Greece.

“Greece should not carry the burden of receiving the vast majority of all irregular migrants entering the European Union,” said Manfred Nowak, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture.  “In a number of Criminal Investigation Departments, I found more than 40 foreigners held in administrative detention in office space temporarily used as make-shift cells,” he added.

Nowak stressed that such conditions clearly violated Articles 7 and 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  Articles 7 and 10 were adopted to curtail inhuman and degrading treatment.

Monsters and Critics reported that while the Greek government is planning on changing its system of expulsion centers, it has rejected the allegations of serious abuse of detainees.

For more information, please see:

Monsters and Critics – Council of Europe Group Blasts Greece Over Prison Abuses – 11.17.2010

Radio Free Europe – EU Sends Border Team To Greece Over Immigrants – 10.25.10

Global Nation – EU Urged to Help Greece Deal With Irregular Migrants – 10.24.10

Charles Taylor Defense Rests Case

by Laura Hirahara

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone-Last week, former Liberian president Charles Taylor’s defense counsel rested their case in his trial before the Special Court of Sierra Leone at The Hague.  Taylor was indicted by the Court in 2003 under allegations that he promoted an eleven year civil war in Sierra Leone that led to wide spread violence in which thousands of people were victim to rape, enslavement, torture and murder.

Photo by AFP. Former Liberian President Charles Taylor featured above.
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor featured above. Photo by AFP.


The prosecution claims Taylor funded and controlled Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary United Front (RUF) which was the primary rebel military force in the country.  It is alleged that he provided the RUF with armaments in exchange for ‘blood diamonds’; the RUF in turn used child soldiers to carry out acts of violence, most notoriously the cutting off of victims hands, arms and heads.


Taylor has been charged with eleven separate criminal counts including five counts of crimes against humanity, five counts of war crimes and one count of acting in violation of international humanitarian law.  During the trial, which started in early 2008, the defense brought twenty-one witnesses before the Court, including Taylor himself who states the charges against him are lies.

One such witness was Sam Flomo Kolleh, now 38, who testified that he was captured and forced to fight for the RUF during the conflict.  Kolleh told judges that the prosecution had offered him money in exchange for him refusing to testify and once on the stand, he told the Court that while he was a diamond courier, he never gave any diamonds to Taylor.

During the presentation of their case, the prosecution brought ninety-one witnesses, many of whom were victims of the RUF.  One notable witness was super-model Naomi Campbell who testified that three men gave her uncut diamonds after she met Taylor at a dinner during which he had promised her a large diamond as a gift.

Lead defense counsel for Taylor, Mr. Courtenay Griffiths, told the court when he rested his case, “I would also, in light of the comments I make, like to make clear that it has been accepted by us right from the outset that terrible crimes were committed in Sierra Leone. We share the concerns for the victims of these crimes, and we want to make clear that differences between the parties in the courtroom should not be exploited as evidence that either party naturally assumes a morally superior position.”

In a press release issued afterwards, Registrar of the Court, Binta Mansaray stated that the end of the defense case “is not only a major milestone in the Charles Taylor trial, but in the work of the court as a whole.”  Now that both sides have finished presenting their cases, each side will have the chance to offer closing arguments starting February 8, 2011.


For More Information Please See Links:

CNN- Charles Taylor Team Rests Case in War Crimes Trial– 12 Nov. 2010

AFP- Defense Wraps Up Testimony in Charles Taylor Trial– 9 Nov. 2010

Open Society Justice Initiative- Defense Lawyers Formally Close Their Case in the Charles Taylor Trial– 12 Nov. 2010

FIRST CIVILIAN TRIAL OF GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEE: SUSPECTED TERRORIST ACQUITTED OF ALL BUT 1 of 285 CHARGES

By Erica Laster
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

NEW YORK, United States –The first trial of a Guantanamo Bay detainee in civilian court resulted in a verdict of not guilty on all but one of 285 charges.   Ahmed Ghailani, a Tanzanian native, was charged with conspiracy, terrorism and murder charges relating to the 1998 attacks on two United States embassies.  Despite being convicted of only one charge, Ghailani faces a prison term of 20 years to life.

Guantanamo Bay detainee is acquitted of all but one charge out of 285 involving conspiracy, murder and terrorism. Photo courtesy of CNN.
Guantanamo Bay detainee is acquitted of all but one charge out of 285 involving conspiracy, murder and terrorism. Photo courtesy of CNN.

Many who have criticized the use of civilian courts in handling the prosecution of Guantanamo Bay detainees and Al Qaeda terrorists are not surprised at the oLast week, former Liberian president Charles Taylor’s defense counsel rested their case in his trial before the Special Court of Sierra Leone at The Hague.  Taylor was indicted by the Court in 2003 under allegations that he promoted an eleven year civil war in Sierra Leone that led to wide spread violence in which thousands of people were victim to rape, enslavement, torture and murder outcome.

A former Islamic cleric, Ghailani was captured in 2004 in Pakistan.  Since then he has been held and transferred to many high security detention centers.  Ghailani argued that he was an unwitting participant in the bombings while being tried by military commission at Guantanamo Bay in 2007 in connection with the bombings.

The Former Commander of the USS Cole, Kirk Lippold, commented that “One of 285 counts is not exactly a track record for a prosecution team to be proud of….This case sends a clear and unmistakable signal about using civilian courts: It didn’t work.”

Peter King, a Republic member of the Homeland Security Committee, expressed that he was “disgusted at the total miscarriage of justice today in Manhattan’s federal civilian court.”

Others have different beliefs.  Human rights activists view the decision as a vindication of their support for the use of civilian courts rather than military courts in trying Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Human Rights Watch Director Tom Malinowski hopes “the conclusion people draw from this is that this is the way to get swift and sure justice.”  He further concluded that “the only difference is that in this courtroom, Ghailani was convicted with legitimacy and finality.”

Mason Clutter, counsel for the Rule of Law Program at the Constitution Project believes that “the system worked here.  I don’t think we judge success based on the number of convictions that were received.  I think we judge success based on fair prosecutions consistent with the Constitution and the rule of law.”

Still, despite many advocates of military trials emphasizing the high security costs, defendant grandstanding and the risk of revealing classified information, others believe civilian courts pose a great tool for the future.

Despite the support, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. revoked his November 2009 decision to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other conspirators accused of participating in the September 11, 2001 using a federal court in New York.

Two terrorism suspects have pled guilty in the last year at Guantanamo Bay before military commissions.  Two other terrorism suspects pled guilty in federal court: Najibullah Zazi, who plotted to blow up New York subways, and Faisal Shahzad, for the attempted bombing of Times Square.

For More Information Please Visit –

Washington Post – Ahmed Ghailani, Gitmo detainee, acquited of all but 1 charge in N.Y. – 18 November 2010

New York TImes – Terror Suspect Tests Obama’s Strategy on Detainees – 18 November 2010

CNN – Landmark Terrorism Trial Ends In Acquittal On All But 1 Count – 18 November 2010

Pregnant Activist Arrested After Reporting Rights Violations

By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia—Human rights groups have voiced concern after a pregnant activist was arrested and charged with being connected to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  It is feared that this woman’s arrest is part of a growing effort in Colombia to silence human rights workers and any voices of opposition.

Carolina Rubio is eight months pregnant and was arrested in the northeastern Colombian city of Bucaramanga on Tuesday.  She continues to be detained in prison although her health—because of her condition—may be threatened.

Rubio belongs to two groups that may have made her a political target for Colombian authorities:  the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE) and the Committee of Solidarity for Political Prisoners (FCSPP).    The current evidence against Rubio stems from two informants who remain anonymous.

Rubio had just returned from an assembly of the International Office of Human Rights in Brussels last month where she had been speaking out against human rights violations in Colombia.  In Brussels, Rubio presented a report to European Commission officials regarding human rights concerns during the first 75 days of Juan Manuel Santos’ presidency.  Rubio stated that over 22 activists were murdered in Colombia during that period.  Some human rights workers speculate that these acts are the real reason Rubio was arrested—not any possible connection to the FARC.

The International Office said that it was concerned “that a human rights defender on the verge of giving birth is detained just as she returns to Colombia after having denounced the grave situation of human rights” there.

Amnesty International (AI) has spoken out against Rubio’s arrest.  Marcelo Pollack, Colombia Researcher for AI said, “The Colombian authorities have a duty to investigate any criminal activity and bring to justice those responsible through processes which conform to international standards of fairness.  However, there is a great deal of concern that such arrests are part of a strategy designed to silence and discredit the work of human rights defenders and to distract attention from their exposure of human rights violations.”

The controversy over Rubio’s arrest has come during a period of increasing persecution against human rights defenders.  In Colombia, it is not uncommon for activists like Rubio to be prosecuted using evidence acquired from paid informants rather than impartial investigative authorities.

Pollack has expressed the need for Rubio’s rights to be upheld, saying, “The authorities must ensure that due process is respected and that [her] legal situation is resolved speedily.  They must also ensure that she has access to quality health care while in detention.  Amnesty International is closely monitoring this case, especially because concerns have been raised about irregularities in the process.”

For more information, please see:

Amnesty International-Colombia: Concern over arrest of pregnant human rights defender-18 November 2010

Latin American Herald Tribune-Rights Activist Arrested in Colombia-18 November 2010

Tolerance-Concern over arrest of pregnant human rights defender in Colombia-18 November 2010

Possible Coup in Madagascar

By Daniel M. Austin
Impunity Watch Reporter,  Africa

Madagascar’s sitting president, Andry Rajoelina, in 2009 after seizing power (Photo Courtsey of The Guardian)
Madagascar’s sitting president, Andry Rajoelina, in 2009 after seizing power. (Photo Courtesy of The Guardian).

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar -On November 17, 2010, a group of senior leaders from the Madagascar military attempted to overthrow the sitting government. Initial reports indicated 20 of the top-level military leaders had banded together to overthrow the current leader, Andry Rajoelina. Ironically, Mr. Rajoelina himself came to power after a successful coup attempt in March 2009. The coup attempt happened on the same day the country voted on a new national constitution.

On Wednesday, Colonel Charles Andrianasoavina told a news outlet, his group of rebels would be taking over the presidential palace as well as the country’s main international airport. Although the physical taking of power had not yet occurred, it was the rebel group’s intention to follow through with their promise to overthrow the current government. He claims that after the current administration is removed, a military counsel will be set up to run the day to day operation of the government. His comments took place at a military installation near the country’s main airport. The Colonel and several other high-level military leaders participating in this coup attempt were also participants in the successful coup that brought the sitting president to power in 2009.

Aside from the comments made by Col. Andrianasoavina, reporters in Madagascar are unsure of the rebel group’s power and whether they will be able to follow through with their promise to overthrow the current regime. Recent reports out of the country describe little, if any, changes on the ground. There has not been a significant troop build up or deployment, and the country’s television and radio broadcasts have continued as normal.

This most recent coup comes as Madagascar is holding a referendum on a new constitution. One of the main tenets of the new constitution is that Mr. Rajoelina will remain in control of the nation until elections can take place. Analysts believe that this provision in the constitution will allow him to remain in power indefinitely. When Mr. Rajoelina came to power in 2009, he scrapped the old constitution.

Madagascar is a small island nation off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. It has been plagued with instability for a number of years. This most recent coup attempt is just another in a long line of coup attempts that have plagued the island nation.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera –Madagascar officers ‘make coup bid’ – 17 November 2010

BBC Africa —Madagascar officers in coup claim – 17 November 2010

New York Times – Coup Attempt Reported in Madagascar – 17 November 2010

Reuters Africa – Rebel Madagascar officer says to shut airport – 17 November 2010