Fiji Election Results are in: Military Coup Leader Remains in Power

By Max Bartels 

Impunity Watch Reporter 

 

Suva, Fiji

Fiji has completed their first democratic election in eight years, after a bloodless military coup seized power in 2006. The coup was lead by then Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama, who has now been voted into office as Prime Minister to continue to lead Fiji. The final polls show that Bainimarama and his “Fiji First Party” won 59% of the vote and the opposition, the “Social Democratic Liberal Party” came in a  distant second with 28% of the vote. Over the years Fiji and the military government headed by Bainimarama have been accused of many human rights violations by Amnesty International and other human rights groups but the majority of the Fijian people have continued to support Bainimarama despite these accusations.

IW #16 Fiji Election Results
Newly elected Bainimarama appears in front of the media after election results. (Photo curtesy of Al Jazeera)

 

In 2006 Bainimarama claimed the coup was to cure rampant corruption and protect the ethnic Indian population of Fiji from racial discrimination. Bainimarama also emphasized the improvement of Fiji’s infrastructure during his time in power, which is one of the major reasons for his support amongst the Fijian people. The international community reacted to the coup by enacting sanctions and travel bans on Fiji. In the run up to the elections the sanctions and the travel bans were lifted as Fiji committed to a return to democracy.

An international observation group was sent to Fiji to monitor the election process and evaluate its validity for corruption and foul play. As the votes were being counted opposition groups to the “Fiji First Party” claimed foul play occurred in the election. The opposition groups claimed their own observers reported missing ballot boxes, boxes that seem to be opened and more votes at polls than registered voters. However, the observers of the international group claim that the results can be relied on to “broadly represent the will of the Fijian voters.” The opposition is reported to be considering filing a complaint about the results of the election. Bainimarama has since claimed victory in the election and addressed the people in Fiji’s capital, Suva, stating he is honored the people chose him to lead the new government and the Fijian people. While most of the sanctions and travel bans have been lifted there are still many nations that have yet to re-enter into diplomatic relations with Fiji.

For more information, please see:

ABC News — Fiji Election: Frank Bainimarama Claims Victory, Says he is Deeply Honored and Humbled — 21 September 2014

The Wall Street Journal — Bainimarama Claims Victory in Fiji Elections — 21 September 2014

The Wall Street Journal — Fiji Election Hit With Fraud Accusations — 18 September 2014

Al Jazeera — Fiji Coup Leader Declares Poll Victory — 21 September 2014

 

Another Russian Abduction in the Baltics as NATO Increases Activity in Eastern Russia

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

VILNIUS, Lithuania – Russia has made yet another aggressive move towards Eastern Europe, this time targeting Lithuania. A fishing boat off the coast of Lithuania was seized yesterday by Russia while in international waters. Russia’s Federal Security Service says that border guards were correct by seizing the boat, claiming that it contained an illegal 15-ton haul of crab and strayed into Russian waters. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius states that the vessel’s satellite system proves that it was in international waters.

This Russian AN-72 military transport plane was photographed by Finland’s air force while flying in Finnish airspace. (Photo courtesy of Vox)

Sweden also claims further aggression by Russia took place this week when two Russian warplanes entered into Swedish airspace. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt called this a “grave violation”, prompting him to lodge a formal protest with the Russian ambassador in Stockholm. In addition to this incident, Russian warplanes also entered into Finland last month, and were intercepted close to Canada and also the United States. Part of the concern for Finland and Sweden is that they are not currently NATO members, which has prompted both nations this month to upgrade their level of cooperation with NATO members.

There are three actions NATO members will be taking part in this week that may be prompting further Russian aggression. First, NATO is conducting exercises in the Black Sea, likely in response to Russia’s first Varshavyanka-class submarine entering into Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. NATO’s exercises will include Romania, Bulgaria, the United States, the UK, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Turkey.

Second, NATO’s new rapid reaction force, created earlier this month in direct response to Russia’s involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, is going to be discussed this weekend in Vilnius. This new force is meant to provide a fast response to any possible Russian military action in the Baltics against NATO members. The meeting this weekend is for the purpose of going over details of the force.

Third, Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania have agreed to create a joint military force this year. The force will be headquartered in the Polish city of Lublin, near the border of Ukraine. Interfax-Ukraine news has reported that this joint force will contain 545 Ukrainian troops, 3,000-3,800 Polish servicemen, and 150-350 soldiers from Lithuania. While this idea was first tossed about in 2007 but never agreed on, Russian aggression this year has made the necessity for such a force all the more apparent.

As militarization on both the east and west continues to grow, signs of successful diplomacy to settle tensions seems to be growing weaker. However, fighting in Ukraine appears less severe than two weeks ago, partly due to two negotiations between the parties involved. Fighting has yet to altogether seize, but it seems that diplomacy may still be a realistic option.

For more information, please see:

DW – US fighter planes intercept Russian combat jets off Alaska, Sweden protests ‘violation’ – 20 September 2014

Bloomberg – Lithuania Says Russia Seized Ship as Baltic Tensions Grow – 19 September 2014

RT – Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania to form joint military force – 19 September 2014

The Wall Street Journal – Sweden Complains to Russia Over Airspace Violation – 19 September 2014

The Guardian – Baltic states wary as Russia takes more strident tone with neighbours – 18 September 2014

RT – NATO stages Black Sea naval drills – 17 September 2014

 

Is Venezuela Increasing Censorship?

By Mridula Tirumalasetti

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela–A longtime editorial cartoonist in Venezuela was fired from the El Universal newspaper because of the caricature she drew. The cartoon was used to satirize the health care system in Venezuela. Although nothing has been confirmed by the newspaper, Rayma Suprani, who was the cartoonist, said via Twitter, “I was informed of my sacking from El Universal over this caricature and  my awkward attitude over graphic satire.”

The cartoon pictured a normal- looking electrocardiogram with the title “health” underneath it and another that combined Chavez’s signature with a flat heartbeat line, symbolic of a cardiac arrest. Under that electrocardiogram was the title “health in Venezuela.”

Printed version of the cartoon by Rayma Suprani in a newspaper (photo courtesy of Reuters)

El Universal’s editorial page published the cartoon. The newspaper’s editorial page has always been critical of the socialist government of Venezuela. However, a pro-Chavista government company acquired the newspaper this summer, and the anti-government stance has softened. Many columnists have left the newspaper since.

The cartoon touched on two sensitive topics for Venezuelans: the legacy of Chavez and the way the socialist government has been managing healthcare.

Supporters of Chavez argue that Chavez transformed the healthcare system to one that is friendlier towards the poor. Chavez initiated the “Barrio Adentro” (Inside the Neighborhood) program, which established a network of small health clinics around Venezuela. The health clinics were staffed by Cuban health care professionals and offered free treatment.

The opposition does not deny the welfare advance made by Chavez, but they insist that the advances were patchy and are critical of the shortages of medicine and equipment. Henrique Capriles, who is an opposition leader, not only paid public tribute to Suprani after the cartoon incident, but also used the incident to take a stab at the Maduro government, which is currently in power.

According to a statement issued by the staff on the newspaper, Suprani’s firing reflects a bigger issue: the country’s “increasing censorship.” Under the governments of Chavez and Maduro, any critical media outlets became extinct. For example, the RCTV station, which was a critical TV station lost its broadcast license in 2007. Since 1999, when Chavez became president, several indenpendant radio stations and newspapers were forced to close. El Nacional remains the only opposition newspaper.

Suprani told local radio, “[m]y immediate boss called me and told me he didn’t like my caricature and I was out. We’ve become a country where if you say things, have your own criteria and try to provoke reflection, it’s not well-viewed.”

For more information, please see:

LA Times–Firing of editorial cartoonist raises censorship concerns–19 September 2014

The Guardian–Venezuelan cartoonist ‘fired’ over healthcare satire–18 September 2014

The Tico Times–Venezulan cartoonist fired after sketch slamming health care–18 September 2014

Reuters–Venezuelan cartoonist says fired for health satire–18 September 2014

Justice Sought for Kidnapped Babies in Argentina During Dictatorship

By Mridula Tirumalasetti

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—Argentina is bringing suits against the two doctors and one midwife who allegedly delivered political prisoners’ babies and helped Argentina’s former military regime kidnap the babies from their parents. This is the first case of healthcare professionals being accused of falsifying birth certificates of babies.

During the dictatorship, the regime fought the “dirty war” in which Argentinians lived in a period of state terrorism. Approximately 30,000 people who were left wing guerrillas or political groups, or perceived to be associated with socialism were killed or abducted. Prisoners who were pregnant were blindfolded and handcuffed when they gave birth. Once the babies were born, they were taken away and given to regime friendly families, including military or police families, or even their parents’ killers.

Mothers of the “disappeared” children in 1977 pictured above (photo courtesy of BBC News)

Prosecutors argue that the midwife and doctors provided “essential assistance” to conceal the identity of the babies. Moreover, they helped give the babies to regime-approved families, who raised the stolen children as their own.

Francisco Madariaga was one of approximately 500 children taken at birth by the former regime  during the dictatorship, which lasted from 1976 to 1983. Madriaga was born in a military hospital in Buenos Aires. The midwife who delivered him was Luisa Yolanda Arroche. Arroche is now charged with falsifying Madriaga’s birth certificate and aiding in the kidnapping.

“It’s a very important trial because it will judge the complicity of doctors and midwives who were directly responsible for these crimes against humanity,” Madriaga said. He continued, “[w]ith this trial we’ll be able to learn what they did with our mothers the day after we were born, know that there will be a punishment and justice will triumph because we are the living proof of the crime.” Madriaga’s mother, Silvia Quintela, has never been found.

Of the 500 stolen babies, approximately 115 have been located due to genetic testing and because of the efforts made by the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, which is a group dedicated to finding their stolen grandchildren.

Arroche faces charges alongside doctors Norberto Bianco and Raul Martin, all of whom are in their 80s. Prosecutors are also bringing charges against former military officer, Santiago Omar Riveros and Dictator Reynaldo Bignone, who have both already been sentenced for various crimes against humanity.

For more information, please see: 

BBC News–Argentina tries doctors for “baby theft” during military rule–18 September 2014

Yahoo News–Argentina tries doctors for dictatorship baby thefts–17 September 2014

TeleSur–Argentine Doctors Tried  for Baby Theft During Dictatorship–18 September 2014

Prensa Latina–Trial Against Doctors from Dictatorship Begins in Argentina–17 September 2014

United States Takes Action After Guatemala Fails to Address Worker Rights

By Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – On 26 April 2013, the United States and Guatemala signed an 18-point Enforcement Plan, which defined necessary actions for Guatemala to take in order to strengthen labor law enforcement. While Guatemala had adopted a number of the outlined reforms, it has failed to comply with the standards spelled out in the country’s trade agreement with the United States. The United States has thus moved to pursue a case against Guatemala that could potentially lead to serious fines.

United States Trade Representative, Michael Froman, addresses Guatemala’s substandard labor laws (Photo Courtesy of The Huffington Post).

Michal Froman, the United States Trade Representative, declared that he would move forward with the case in hopes that Guatemala would make “concrete improvements” in enforcing labor laws. Stating the goal for taking action against Guatemala is “to ensure that Guatemala implements the labor protections to which its workers are entitled.” Guatemala has a history of substandard labor laws including: the refusal of Guatemalan employers to pay minimum wages, the refusal of both public and private employers to make Social Security payments, and the denial of workers’ rights to organize and freely associate.

According to the American AFL-CIO labor federation, Guatemala is the “most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists.” Within the last five years there have been numerous reports of activists being kidnapped and murdered for organizing workers in the agriculture and construction industries.

The AFL-CIO has criticized Guatemala’s remedies in place to protect workers written into trade agreements, calling them “weak.” In order to address these claims the Guatemalan government agreed last year to follow a plan to address the country’s labor law violations. The United States Trade Representative acknowledged Guatemala’s progress, however Froman states that the country failed to pass important laws regulating practices of employers and punishing those who breach labor laws.

Froman stated that the complaint issued was a means of helping Guatemala a safer place to live and work. He stated, “we remain hopeful that Guatemala can achieve a resolution that results in concrete improvements for workers on the ground and sends a positive signal to the world that would help attract investment, expand economic activity, and promote inclusive growth.”

 

For more information, please see the following:

 

AFL-CIO –  Whats Happening To Workers In Guatemala? – 24 Oct. 2013.

HUFFINGTON POST- U.S. Smacks Guatemala Over Worker Rights, Opens Trade Case – 18 Sept. 2014.

REUTERS – United States Steps Up Pressure On Guatemala Over Labor Rights – 19 Sept. 2014.

UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE –  United States Continues to Press Guatemala On Enforcement Of Workers Rights – 24 Oct. 2013.