Senegal Protests Escalating with Election on the Horizon

Senegal Protests Escalating with Election on the Horizon

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

DAKAR, Senegal – Protests against the eligibility of President Abdoulaye Wade have been a near constant presence in Senegal since Wade was deemed eligible to stand for re-election in late January.  On Sunday, activists seized control of a three-block area in downtown Dakar, the capital, and threw rocks at police summoned to control the activity.  It was the fifth consecutive day of violence related to the upcoming election, in which six people have died.  The election is scheduled for February 26.

Protesters against President Abdoulaye Wade's eligibility for election to a third term threw rocks at Dakar police on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)

Senegal’s constitution has a two-term limit for its president.  Wade, if elected, would be serving his third consecutive term, violating that clause.  Despite this, the Constitutional Council of the West African country ruled that he could run for a third term because he served his first term, which began after his election in 2000, before the rule was enacted.  The Constitutional Council also controversially rejected the candidacy of Youssou N’Dour, who had collected 13,000 signatures of support, more than the required 10,000, stoking further public outcry.

During a February 7 interview with Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Thijs Berman—head of the European Union’s Observer Mission in Senegal—explained that N’Dour’s candidacy was rejected because he had more than 4,000 false signatures that were removed from his total.  He still questioned the decision to remove the popular singer from the ballot due to uncertain procedures.

“We have requested transparency from the Constitutional Council in its decision to approve or reject candidatures,” Berman said.  “We have also requested that each candidate be given access to his/her application information, to the reason why it was approved or rejected. I think such transparency is lacking and one can therefore understand Youssou N’Dour’s anger.”

The mission has also requested that the country’s Electoral Affairs Ministry provide information regarding the distribution of voter cards.

Wade, who is officially stated to be 85 but could be as old as 90, is still in the race.  His continued presence is drawing concern from the international community because of his age and Senegal’s role in the region.  It is the only West African country whose government has never been toppled by a military coup.  Locally, the belief is that he is attempting to set up a “‘monarchical devolution’ of the presidency” to his son Karim.  Karim has an allocation of one quarter of the national budget for his use as a “Super Minister” of multiple jurisdictions.

This most recent round of protests has taken on a more violent tone.  On Wednesday, dissidents attempted to hold an illegal march in Dakar, which led police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse them.  Several buildings were set on fire, and a policeman is said to have been killed during the ensuing unrest.  Friday drew more anger after an attempt to break up a protest outside a mosque disrupted prayers.  Police used grenade launchers to propel tear gas canisters down the street, only to have one of them hit a wall of the mosque.  Interior Minister Ousmane Ngom apologized for the incident, which he characterized as a “police blunder,” on Sunday.

“I would like to present, in my personal name and on behalf of the highest authorities of national police, our most sincere apologies to the caliph” of the Tidiane brotherhood (Senegal’s largest) and his followers, he told the Senegalese Press Agency (APS).  He also recommended against holding new rallies near mosques.

That urging did not stop youths from gathering outside the same mosque on Sunday and throwing stones and other projectiles at police, while screaming “Allah Akbar” and “There is no God but Allah.”  Neither phrase is heard much in the country, which is almost 90% Muslim.  Senegal has taken on a largely secular identity.

“I’m worried — yes. What I’m seeing here could really degenerate into another kind of situation, a religious one,” said Moustapha Faye, a young member of the Mouride Muslim brotherhood, the second largest in Senegal, as he observed the situation from a safe position. “We must absolutely avoid violence.”

One of the main opposition groups is the M23 coalition with whom N’Dour has campaigned after his candidacy was rejected.  The group’s main goal is to force Wade out of the race.  Once its members accomplish that mission, they would then begin their own separate campaigns.  The other main organization is Y’en a Marre (We are fed up!), a strong youth-based group that has done an outstanding job of mobilizing people.  More than 20 such groups exist and their leaders have been subjected to threats, attempts at corruption, and even arrests.

“It is good to see such social involvement and political activism from young people. I cannot comment on their participation, or on their agenda,” said an encouraged Berman.  “But I think it is good for Senegal that the youth is so involved.”

Whether Berman’s belief is accurate may depend on the results of the upcoming election.

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica — Senegal: New Protest Planned as Election Looms — 20 February 2012

BBC — Senegal Apology amid Protests against Abdoulaye Wade — 20 February 2012

New York Times — Senegal Protests Grow before Presidential Vote — 19 February 2012

Daily Nation — Senegal: EU Urges Transparency in Voter Registration — 17 February 2012

Senegambia News — Senegalese 2012 Presidential Election, Where Are We Now? — 17 February 2012

AllAfrica — West Africa: Berman – “Lack of Transparency in Senegal” — 7 February 2012

Execution of Web Developer in Iran Seems Imminent, Establishing A Dangerous Precedent

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, IRAN–According to a human rights group, a computer programmer from Canada sits on Iran’s death row, facing imminent execution for the actions of another person. Actions which he had no control over.

 

Saeed Malekpour and his wife, Fatima Eftekhari, before his arrest.(Photo Courtesy of AFP)

Saeed Malekpour, age 36, is a Toronto resident who wrote a program to upload photos to the Internet. According to Amnesty International, the action of writing the program could cost Malekpour his life. Authorities inside the Islamic Republic of Iran claimed that his program was used by someone else to upload pornography to the Internet. Malekpour was charged with “insulting and desecrating Islam.”

Malekpour, now awaiting execution in Iran’s Evin Prison, was arrested in 2008 while visiting his dying father. A Canadian permanent resident, with the protection under the Charter of Rights, Malekpour was awaiting citizenship and completely uninvolved in Iranian politics. He was convicted in a short trial and was sentenced to death in October 2011. The charges focused on his contract work as a web designer in Canada and expanded to accuse him of running the “biggest anti-religion pornographic Farsi network.”

Malekpour and his family, including his wife Fatima Eftekhari, have denied that he had any knowledge of such network and stated that he only created image-sharing software that could have been used to upload such images without his direct knowledge.

Iran’s Supreme Court confirmed the sentence on 17 January 2012 and Malekpour’s legal team has been unsuccessful in ascertaining the whereabouts of his court files since Tuesday 14 February 2012. According to Amnesty International, they fear that this could be an indicator that an executioner could carry out the sentence soon. A court official suggested to the lawyers that the file has been sent to the Office for the Implementation of Sentences.

Drewery Dyke of Amnesty International released a statement containing the following concerning Malekpour and Iran’s handling of the situation.

“He is alleged to have created ‘pornographic’ Internet sites and is accused of ‘insulting the sanctity of Islam’ for which he was charged with ‘spreading corruption on Earth,’ a vaguely worded charge which attracted the death penalty in Iran. The use of vaguely worded charges is not new in Iran, but the allegation that these were carried out on the Internet is. It is an unwelcome addition to the catalogue of ways in which Iran finds it can execute its own citizens.”

According to Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Malekpour sent a letter from prison, detailing beatings and other mistreatment at the hands of Iranian prison officials to obtain a confession. Part of the letter displays the following text.

“A large portion of my confession was extracted under pressure, physical and psychological torture, threats to myself and my family, and false promises of immediate release upon giving a false confession to whatever the interrogators dictated.”

Members of Canada’s government and its parliament issued strong protests on Thursday 16 February 2012 when the news broke that Malekpour’s case has been transferred to the Iranian court that schedules executions. Foreign Minister John Baird’s spokesperson Joseph Lavoie offered these words in a statement concerning the situation.

“Canada condemns Iran’s reported decision to execute Mr. Malekpour. We hold Iran accountable for his treatment and well-being.”

The House of Commons unianimously backed a motion by Tory MP Costas Menagkis voicing parliament’s “deep concern for the safety of Iranian citizen Saeed Malekpour.” The motion holds Iran accountable and asks it to “reverse its current course, meet its international human rights obligation and release prisoners such as Saeed Malekpour and others who have failed to receive fair and transparent legal treatment.”

In addition, Senator Linda Frum shared these words concerning Malekpour’s predicament.

“I was deeply distressed to learn that the judicial murder of Saeed Malekpour appears to be proceeding. I know I speak for all my colleagues in the Senate of Canada when I say that this is lethal abuse of law has the attention of the government, the citizens of this country, and freedom-loving people everywhere.”

Malekpour’s situation appears to be a test run of sorts for the Iran fledging cyber crimes crackdown on the Internet. Within days of his arrival in Tehran, he was seized on the street, blindfolded, beaten and thrown in Evin Prison on charges that he could scarcely comprehend.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps was ready for Malekpour, the ideal target. He is an expatriate and a computer expert, suspected of spreading sedition from the West to Iran. And even further, suspecting of aiding and abetting young Iranian dissidents. A potential enemy of the state would could become the poster child to fuel fear in a seemingly tranquil public that has lost faith in its government’s resolve.

Hadi Ghaemi of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran shared these words concerning the motivations of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“At its heart, Malekpour’s conviction is an attempt to stroke fear by suppressing user-generated content and Internet applications that allowed Iranians to interact in cyberspace. The guards made it clear he would an example to others.”

And if Malekpour is executed, his death will certainly serve as an example to others that they can be killed for actions on the Internet that occurred outside their direct control and knowledge.

 

For more information, please see: 

The Hamilton Spectator – Saeed Malekpour: A Canadain on Iran’s Death Row – 19 February 2012

CNN – Execution of Web Programmer in Iran May Be Imminent – 18 February 2012

The Toronto Star – Iran Moves Saeed Malekpour’s Death Sentence Ahead, Prompting Canadain Outrage – 17 February 2012

The Globe & Mail – Free Saeed Malekpour: He Has Done No Wrong – 01 February 2012

AFP – Iran Media Confirms Canada Resident’s Death Sentence – 29 January 2012

Amnesty International – Iran Must Halt Execution of Web Programmer – 19 January 2012

The Guardian – Iran Confirms Death Sentence for ‘Porn Site’ Web Programmer – 18 January 2012

 

 

Syrian Officials Fall in Damascus and Physicians Become Targets, As The Protests Continue

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria–In the northwest province of Idlib, several gunmen opened fire on a car carrying a senior Syrian state prosecutor and a judge, killing both of them and the driver. State news agency SANA reported that Idlib provincial state prosecutor Nidal Ghazal and Judge Mohammed Ziadeh were killed instantly in the attack. The deaths of these two Syrian officials are merely the latest casualties claimed by the perpetual chaos occurring in the country.

Protesters gather in the Mezze neighborhood of Damascus.(Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

Earlier in the day, SANA reported that gunmen took the life of Jamal al-Bish, a member of the city council of the nearby northern city of Aleppo, which happens to be Syria’s largest. SANA stated that al-Bish was killed outside the city, a center of support for al-Assad that has been relatively quiet since the uprising began.

Syrian activists called for a “day of defiance” in Damascus on Sunday 19 February 2012 after security forces shot and killed a mourner at a funeral that turned into one of the largest anti-regime protests ever conducted in the capital. In a message to Damascus residents on their “Syrian Revolution 2001” FaceBook page, activists said: “The blood of martyrs exhorts you to disobedience,” after approximately 6,000 people have lost their lives since the demonstrations and protests began against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad erupted in March 2011. Deeb Al-Dimashqi, a member of the Syrian Revolution Council based in the capital, claimed that Syrian forces clamped tight security around the city. He shared these words with the AFP.

“We expect huge demonstrations. There is a large security presence.”

A large security presence was seen all throughout Syria. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, security forces shot dead a woman when they stormed the town of Sukhna in the Homs province in an attempt to track down wanted activists. It also reported that a man was shot dead at a checkpoint in the northern province of Aleppo.

Opposition activists also reported that police and armed patrols fanned out in the Syrian capital’s Mezze district to prevent a repeat of protests against al-Assad that have threatened his grip on Damascus. On Sunday 19 February 2012, the body of young protester Samer al-Khatib was buried in Mezze early in the morning. Security forces maintained a heavy presence to try and prevent the funeral from turning into an anti-Assad demonstration, according to opposition activists contacted by Reuters.

Fifteen pick-up trucks carrying security police and armed pro-Assad armed men, known as “shabbiha,” surrounded the funeral as the funeral was quietly conducted. Police cars and militia jeeps patrolled Mezze while secret police agents spread out on foot, stopping civilians at random and checking their identification cards. Activist Moaz al-Shami shared these words with Al-Jazeera about the situation in Mezze.

“Walking in Mezze now carries the risk of arrest. The area is quiet and even the popular food shops in Sheikh Saad are empty.”

In addition to the crackdown on potential demonstrations and protests, opposition activists have offered more disturbing information: at least 295 doctors have been arrested. The activists are calling it a “fierce” campaign to shut down the work of physicians. In many situations, doctors have been overwhelmed with trying to treat the wounded and save lives without the proper medical supplies or equipment. The majority of them work in makeshift trauma clinics covertly, for fear of being shot.

A faction of Syrian doctors were in the United States this week to urge action that will allow critical medical attention to reach those in need of it. They claim that the regime’s interference amounts to a violation of the Geneva Conventions that is meant to protect victims of armed conflict. Dr. Monzer Yazji shared these words with reporters at the National Press Club in Washington.

“We lost last week two people carrying medicine. They killed them. Just carrying medicine inside.”

On the international community front, China has emerged as a leading play in the efforts to end the bloodshed in Syria and is one of al-Assad’s main backers. The Xinhua commentary shared these words with Al-Jazeera.

“China believes, as many others do, there is still hope that Syria crisis can be resolved through peaceful dialogue between the opposition and the government, contrary to some Western countries’ argument that time is running out for talks in Syria.”

Meanwhile, the West has ruled out any type of military intervention in Syria like what happened with Libya. British Foreign Minister William Hague supported this view with BBC on Sunday 19 February 2012.

“We cannot intervene in the way we did in Libya, we will do many other things. I am worried that Syria is going to slide into a civil war and that our powers to do something about it are very constrained because, as everyone has seen, we have not been able to pass a resolution at the UN Security Council because of Russian and Chinese opposition.”

Syria’s main opposition groups have rejected a newly drafted constitution that could end nearly five decades of single-party rule, and have urged voters to boycott a 26 February referendum on the charter. The opposition feels that until the requisite attention is given to its activists and civilians, there will not be a consensus. With doctors being targeted for trying to help wounded demonstrators and protesters, it seems that the chaos will continue until the proper attention is directed in the proper direction.

 

For more information, please see:

Ahram – Syrian Activists Call Mass Protests In Damascus – 19 February 2012

Al-Jazeera – Syrian Officials Killed as Protests Continue – 19 February 2012

CNN – Homs a ‘Bleeding Wound’ As Medical Aid Dire – 19 February 2012

The Guardian – Syrian Security Forces Increase Pressure on Damascus Protesters – 19 February 2012

NYT – Frustrated Protesters Fill The Streets in Syria’s Capital – 19 February 2012

Reuters – Syrian Security Forces Clamp Down on Damascus – 19 February 2012

 

 

Thousands Protest in Gaza and West Bank in Support of Hunger Striker

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza–Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have rallied in support of Khader Adnan, who is in the midst of a 60-plus day hunger strike to protest against his detention by Israel. Adnan, 33, has been refusing to eat since 18 December 2011 following his arrest on 17 December 2011 in the occupied West Bank. He has been held under “administrative detention,” which means that Israel can detain him indefinitely without trial or charge.

Khader Adnan's daughter, Maali, takes part in a protest for her father. (Photo Courtesy of AFP)

Adnan is accused of being the spokesman of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, a right group that advocates the destruction of the state of Israel. It has not been confirmed that he was involved at all in any attacks but his family stated that he remains a member. He owns a bakery and a fruit and vegetable shop in his West Bank village of Arabeh. Adnan is married with two children and his wife, Randa, is expecting a third child.

On Saturday 18 February 2012, Adnan’s lawyers appealed to Israel’s Supreme Court, demanding to be released. To support his case, Adnan is fighting the “administrative detention” policy. Adnan’s doctors have warned him numerous times that the 33-year-old might die soon due to lack of nourishment. One of Adnan’s lawyers, Mahmoud Hassan, shared these words with Ahram concerning the situation.

“We are hoping that the Supreme Court hears this case urgently. He could die before the court hear happens.”

The court has not yet set a date for the hearing. Hassan has said that in previous cases, the high court at times reduced the sentence of administrative detainees on appeal, but rarely ordered the detainees freed outright. The hunger strike has turned Adnan into a Palestinian hero, while he is being kept held under guard in a northern Israeli hospital and Israeli officials are monitoring his condition. According to the Israeli branch of Physicians for Human Rights on Wednesday 15 February 2012, he is taking liquid fusions of salts, glucose, and minerals and a team of doctors is overseeing his medical care. Although his care is being carefully monitored, the Physicians for Human Rights believe that even ending the strike could be detrimental for Adnan’s health.

“Mr. Khader Adnan is in immediate danger of death. There is a risk to his health even if he starts eating now because his system has got used to not having any food at all.”

According to B’tselem, an Israeli human rights group, Israel had 307 Palestinians under administrative detention at the end of 2011. The group stated that this was a 40% increase in the number of detentions from 2010. According to The Physician for Human Rights, since the beginning of the hunger strike, Adnan has lost some 60 pounds, his hair has begun to fall out, and his muscles have atrophied.

Adnan is currently serving four months in administrative detention. Israeli military judges have the authority to imprison defendants for up to six months at a time, with the possibility of renewing the detention order repeatedly. Defendants and their lawyers are not shown the alleged evidence against them. An Israeli military judge rejected an earlier appeal by Adnan last week, stating that he reviewed the evidence and found the sentence to be fair.

While Adnan sits in detention, thousands gathered in the Gaza Strip to support him. Activists from main political factions joined forces in a rare display of Palestinian unity.

“We are all Khader Adnan,” the crowds chanted to let their fellow Palestinian know that he is not alone. According to the Palestinian Authority, at least 5,000 people took to the streets of Gaza, waving a mix of black Jihad flags, green flags to support Hamas, and yellow flags to support the Fatah movement of Mahmoud Abbas. Witnesses have stated that hundreds also gathered in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

Palestinian officials stated that many other prisoners in Israeli jails had begun hunger strikes to support Adnan. Hassan Salama was among those participating, a senior armed commander of Hamas who is serving life terms for organizing and implementing suicide bombings against Israelis. Hunger strikes is nothing new for Palestinians, who have been using them before to try and fester attention of the treatment in the region and to denounce the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

But the protests and group hunger strikes have never lasted this long as they have for Adnan. The amount of attention from Adnan’s hunger strike has already become a rallying cry for Palestinians, as protesters have also launched a social media campaign to shed light on Israel’s administrative detentions. According to CNN, Palestinian legislator and human rights activist Mustafa Barghouti shared these words in a recent West Bank rally.

“This is a violation of every aspect of human rights. What Khader Adnan is doing today is to show the will of freedom even if it means the loss of life.”

 

 

For more information, please see: 

Ahram – Lawyer of Palestinian Hunger Strike Files Appeal – 18 February 2012

Al-Jazeera – Thousands Rally For West Bank Hunger Striker – 18 February 2012

CNN – Palestinian’s Hunger Strike Puts Spotlight on Israeli Detentions – 18 February 2012

NYT – Palestinian’s Trial Shines Light on Military Justice – 18 February 2012

BBC – Palestinians Rally in Support of Hunger Strike Prisoner – 17 February 2012

The Guardian – Palestinian Hunger Striker Khader Adnan ‘Near Death’ In Israel – 16 February 2012

 

 

 

Cambodian Workers Faint in Factories

By: Jessica Ties
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodian factory workers have been forced to work overtime beyond the limits allowed by law in poorly ventilated buildings contributing to recent incidents of mass fainting.

Cambodian factory workers have been fainting due to poor working conditions and long hours (Photo Courtesy of Radio Free Asia).

The recent faintings have occurred in the country’s textile industry where a union activist claims harmful chemicals are present and at least partially at fault for the fainting of workers.

Approximately 200 factory workers at the Nanguo Garment Co. Ltd. in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh fainted on Monday while working.

Although the Ministry of Labor medical department director has reported that tests reported no signs of toxic chemicals, workers who were taken to the hospital after fainting reported to Free Trade Union of the Kingdom of Cambodia president Chea Mony that the factory had recently sprayed pesticide around the premises.

A female worker explained her experience by stating that “…I saw a few workers faint, and then others. We were shocked, and we all began to cry.” She then added that had felt exhausted and could not move before fainting.

The International Labour Organization’s Better Factories Program has reported that within a six month time span in 2011 at least 1,500 workers from eleven different factories have reported fainting.

In addition, in August almost 300 people fainted in one week while working in a  factory supplying popular clothing store H&M. In addition, another 100 people were reportedly taken to the hospital after fainting at M&V International Manufacturing factory.

Last April, approximately 100 workers fainted at a factory supplying Puma and another forty-nine fainted at the same factory two months later.

Just one week before the mass faintings, workers in Cambodia held a people’s tribunal to investigate the pay and conditions of factories for brands such as H&M and Gap.

Given the history of faintings at a factory supplying H&M products, many were unhappy at the company’s decision not to attend the people’s tribunal.

The minimum wage in Cambodia is $66 per month which is half of what is required to meet the basic needs. As a result, workers are often forced to work ten to thirteen hours a day to get the money that they need to support their families.

 

For more information, please see:

Radio Free Asia – Faintings Blamed on Overwork, Ventilation – 14 February 2012

The Guardian – Cambodian Workers Hold ‘People’s Tribunal’ to Look at Factory Conditions – 2 February 2012