Lebanon Troops Attacked at Security Checkpoint

by Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BEIRUT, Lebanon – Police arrested a follower of Sunni Musslim Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir at a security checkpoint twenty-eight miles south of Beirut on Sunday June 23rd.  The arrest sparked attacks on the police by other followers of the Sheikh.

Blocked roads and violent attacks plagued the city of Tripoli on Sunday June 23rd (photo courtesy of Reuters)

Reports say that at least ten Shi’ite soldiers were killed and forty wounded along with two Sunni gunmen being killed and thirteen wounded during the attack.  Violence has erupted due to Syrian conflict pitting Sunni rebels against Shi’ite supporters of President Bashar al-Assad, straining sectarian relations in Lebanon.

Sunni Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir has been surrounded by controversy after rising to power due to his strong opposition to Hezbollah and its ally, President Bashar al-Assad. Sheikh Ahmed recently has called on his supporters to fire on apartments near his home mosque that he believes to be used for surveillance on him by Hezbollah.

During Sunday’s fight, the Sheikh released a video message saying, “[w]e are being attacked by the Lebanese army,” and accusing the Shi’ite military of being “sectarian” in support of Hezbollah.  “I call on everyone. . .to cut off roads and to all honorable soldiers, Sunni and non-Sunni, to quit the army immediately,” continued the video message.

Following the security checkpoint clash and the Sheikh’s video message, Lebanon experienced severe outbursts of fighting throughout the regent.  Blocked roads and small protests in support of the Shi’ite army popped up in the province of Metn, north of Beirut.

“They are heightened in other cities, most notably Tripoli, and roads are said to be blocked.  There are also attempts to block certain roads in Beirut as well in support of Sheikh Assir,” said one reporter.

Bekaa Valley, home to a large Shi’ite population and Sunni supporters of the Syrian opposition experienced blocked roads and streets guarded by gunmen.  Ain al-Hilweh, a Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, suffered gunfire between Sunni radical groups and the Shi’ite army.

Shi’ite troops have been funneled to the various outbursts and the interior minister and other political leaders have been called on to take a stand.  The army issued a statement claiming that they would not tolerate Sunni uprisings and that it will “strike back with an iron fist anyone who. . .spills the bold of the army.”

“In cold blood” became the unofficial motto of the Shi’ite army who continued to fight against the Sunni rebels.  This tumultuous time in Lebanon has been equated to a fifteen year civil war in 1975, causing many to fear a repeat of history.

For more information, please see the following:

Al Bawaba – Lebanese army ramps up fight against radicals after Sidon deaths – 24 June 2013

Aljazeera – Violence spreads as troops killed in Lebanon – 24 June 2013

Sky News – Three Lebanese troops killed in clash– 24 June 2013

Reuters – Syria-linked clashes kill at least eight in Lebanon – 23 June 2013

Arrest of Syrian Network for Human Rights’ member in Aleppo

Name: Abeer Wanas

Father’s name: Adel

Mother’s name: Rahima Maesa Modares

Date of incident: 18/6/2013

Sex: Female

Date of birth: 1977

On Tuesday, 18 June 2013, Syrian Security Forces’ patrol broke into human rights defender, and member of the  Syrian Network for Human Right activist Abeer Wanas, without any formal charge and absent of prior-notifications.

Syrian Network for Human Rights has almost certain information that she is in political security branch in Aleppo.

SNHR daily documents more than 5 cases of civilians being tortured to death, including activists, where Syrian Security Forces do not distinguish between human rights activists, media activists, and fighters.  Also, security forces do not take gender into account.

SNHR documented 26 cases where women were tortured to death.  The last one was the media activist Marwa Hamdo Khalil, 21 years old – student in Sharia college – Aleppo governorate.

From this standpoint we are so afraid on the fate of human rights defender Abeer Wanas, where she might have been subjected to torture in order to reveal the SNHR members that she was dealing with.  The other goal is to send threatening letters to SNHR through the arrest of its members or their relatives to stop not just their work, but collectively ours also.

The detainee of Syrian nationality hasn’t been mentioned by any Arab or International human rights hand, or made any action for his arrest.

The SNHR confirms the call for the immediate release of Abeer, and request that the necessary means to protect her life and ensure her physical and psychological safety while she is under arrest, and to increase pressure on the Syrian Government to stop daily ongoing human rights violation, and escalating attacks on human rights defenders.

We request the Syrian government to pay attention to fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organizations of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as recognized internationally, in particular:

Article 5

For the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels:

(b) To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups;

Article 12

2. The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.

SYRIA RELIEF NETWORK CALLS FOR CROSS-BORDER AID DELIVERIES

SRN Urges International Support for 5.2 Billion Dollar UN Aid Appeal

Washington, DC – The Syria Relief Network (SRN) urged the international community to support the record-setting 5.2 billion dollar aid appeal issued by the United Nations last week and to continue to contribute to providing for the basic and urgent needs of the Syrian people affected by the Syrian crisis. The Syria Relief Network also urged the United Nations and Security Council to work with all stakeholders to reach as hasty an end to the conflict as possible.

SRN noted that the Syrian regime monopolizes the distribution of international humanitarian aid inside Syria by being the only legal entity interacting with international organizations. The result is that a huge percentage of assistance does not reach Syrians who are in desperate need for it, especially those who reside in areas outside of Syrian regime control. The United Nations should allow the transfer of assistance across international borders in order to distribute humanitarian aid to the millions of Syrians currently not receiving support. The Syria Relief Network assures its readiness to help in coordination and cooperation to deliver this aid through its member organizations which cover most of the affected areas in Syria and provide all kinds of humanitarian aid.

The Syrian crisis is expanding and every day the numbers of wounded, disabled, orphans, and refugees are increasing. According to the UN, more than 93,000 Syrians lost their lives in the conflict; around 7.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 4.25 million who are internally displaced. A further 1.6 million have fled the country and sought refuge in neighboring countries. More than half of all Syrians will need life-saving assistance by the end of 2013, the United Nations warned in its historic appeal to cope with Syria’s “unraveling” chaos.

Under these circumstances, the Syria Relief Network was initiated during a humanitarian aid organizations conference held in Turkey in January 2013. The Syria Relief Network consists of Syrian non-governmental organizations providing humanitarian aid to Syrian people inside and outside Syria. The network is working on building a platform for coordination and cooperation between Syrian and international humanitarian aid organizations and aims at building a needs map for all affected areas and refugee camps inside and outside Syria.

For further information, please see:

http://www.scpss.org/index.php?pid=589&lng=en

Boko Haram Militants Kill 9 Children in Northern Nigeria

By Erica Smith
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria –  Nine students were killed on Tuesday when suspected Boko Haram Islamic militants opened fire at a secondary school in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. This is the second attack since Sunday when militants killed seven students and two teachers in Damaturu.

Boko Haram Militants (Photo courtesy of The Premium Times)

The students at Ansarudeen Private School were taking their final exams when the gunman opened fire. Nine students were killed and many others were seriously injured. Ibrahim Mohammed witnessed the attack and told Reuters:  “I saw five students sitting the exams killed on the spot… Four others were killed as they were entering the school premises.”

Boko Haram, which translates to “Western Education is Sinful”, is believed to have carried out the attack in retaliation for the activities of youth vigilante groups in the area. The youth groups have been patrolling the streets with improvised weapons ,such as metal pipes and machetes, catching and turning suspected militants in to the army. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and the military had recently commended the youth groups for their help combating the militants.

A military spokesperson said that all militants handed over by the groups would be given a fair hearing. However, because there are many people currently in detention and very few people have gone to trial there is a fear that the youth groups will be used as a means to settle scores or begin to make false arrest for money.

In another incident Monday, Boko Haram gunman attacked a group of fisherman on the outskirts of Maiduguri killing 13. Witnesses of the attack say that most of the people killed were relatives of members of a youth group searching for militants in Maiduguri. A fisherman who witnessed the attack told the Premium Times: “We were busy fishing at Alau River when suddenly a gang of gunmen appeared from nowhere, rounded us up and asked all those who are residents of Husari and Gwange to fall on one side.  After sorting us out, they said, ‘Your children brought this fate upon you; they are busy catching our members and handing them to soldiers to be killed’…They then shot them dead and asked the remaining of us to run for our lives and take the message to the youth vigilante.”

North-east  Nigeria has been in a state of emergency since last month. Troops have been sent into the area to try to combat the militants and regain control of the area. The government claims that their campaign has been successful and they have destroyed a number of militant bases and capture over 150 militants.  A BBC corespondent reports that there is little evidence that a large number of militants have been killed.

For more information, please see:

Los Angeles Times — Nigeria’s Boko Haram insurgents striking schools, farms — 20 June 2013

The Independent — Boko Haram Islamist militants kill nine school children in northern Nigeria as punishment for youth gangs working with the army — 19 June 2013

BBC News — Nigeria militants kill school children in Maiduguri — 18 June 2013

Premium Times — Boko Haram kills nine students, 13 fishermen in Maiduguri — 18 June 2013

Reuters — Nigeria Islamists kill 9 students in school attack — 18 June 2013

Premium Times — Gunmen kill seven students, two teachers in secondary school attack in Yobe — 17 June 2013

Voters in Uruguay to Decide Whether to Hold Referendum on Repealing Abortion Law

By Ellis Cortez
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Voters in Uruguay are deciding whether to hold a referendum to repeal its national abortion law.

Uruguay_Abortion.jpg
Pro-abortion activists demonstrate in front of the Uruguayan Congress in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo courtesy of AP)

If 25 percent of Uruguay’s electorate votes on June 23rd, officials would have 120 days to set a date for a binding referendum on whether to uphold or repeal the abortion law.

Independent groups as well as some members of Uruguay’s right-wing Colorado Party and the centrist National Party are leading the effort to overturn the measure, which authorized elective abortions in the first three months of pregnancy.

The Uruguay law permits abortions, but requires that women seeking abortions justify their request before a panel of at least three professionals — a gynecologist, psychologist and social worker — and listen to advice about alternatives including adoption and support services for a child. Women must then wait five days before receiving confirmation on whether they can go ahead with the procedure or not.

The ruling Broad Front coalition of President Jose Mujica argued that the law would save many women from the risk of death or complications from illegal abortions.

“I want to defend the law because this issue has been debated for almost 100 years and many women paid with their lives … during that long time that it was being discussed,” lawmaker Monica Xavier said on the Broad Front’s website.

However, opposition to the measure remains strong, and some doctors have refused to perform abortions for religious or ethical reasons.

“This is not an issue that only pertains to women,” said National Party congressman Pablo Abdala. “We can’t forget about the conceived (baby) … with organs, DNA, a heart. And then there’s the father. This law doesn’t take into account the opinion of the father.”

“About 400 abortions a month have been conducted since the new law came into force,” said Deputy Health Minister Leonel Briozzo.

It’s uncertain how many abortions were carried out before the law. “We don’t have trusted statistics because it is a social practice that is not accepted and up until recently it was a crime,” Constanza Moreira, a ruling-party lawmaker, told local radio.

Passage of the law was widely seen as a landmark for a region in which many countries outlaw abortion in all circumstances. Cuba is the only other country in the region where women have access to first-trimester abortions. Colombia allows abortion when there is proof of fetal malformation. Mexico City has legalized first-trimester abortions, but there are restrictions in most other parts of the country.

For more information please see:

El Mundo Uruguay decide si lleva la ley del aborto a las urnas 23 June 2013

Fox News Latino Uruguay Votes To Decide Whether or Not To Repeal Abortion Law 23 June 2013

The New York Times – Uruguayans Decide if Abortion Goes to Referendum  23 June 2013

The Washington PostUruguayans decide whether to hold referendum on repealing abortion law 23 June 2013