Intensified Fighting in Ukraine is Worst Since Minsk Ceasefire

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

KIEV, Ukraine – The most recent truce agreed upon between Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia while in Minsk appears to be threatened yet again by intensified fighting in Eastern Ukraine. In the past week, 8 Ukrainian soldiers were killed, as well as 40 other Ukrainian soldiers wounded.

A Ukrainian fighter remains posted in Pisky, near the pro-Russian stronghold in Donetsk. (Photo courtesy of Kyiv Post)

The truce, made only three months ago, is at risk of collapsing due to increased fighting. Shyrokyne, a village just 12.5 miles east of Mariupol where both sides anticipate a large fight may be looming, has been shelled over the past several days more than at any point since fighting began in that area in mid-February. Donetsk also saw 550 explosions in just one day, according to OSCE monitors who also reported a “seriously deteriorated” security situation at the rebel-controlled airport in Donetsk. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and NATO military chief Gen Philip Breedlove reported on Wednesday and Thursday that they worry the pro-Russian forces are preparing for an offensive to begin in a couple weeks and that these forces have been taking preparatory action “consistent with the possibility of an offensive.”

A landmine in Luhansk, which is also heavily controlled by pro-Russian rebels, killed two Ukrainian soldiers today. One civilian was also killed by rebel shelling of a Ukrainian army checkpoint in Marinka, which lies just four miles west of Donetsk. In addition to this location, 16 army positions have been shelled in the past 24 hours by guns of a caliber of at least 100mm, which were supposed to be pulled away from the front based on the Minsk agreement from February.

This adds to the nearly 6,200 already killed in fighting since last year between the rebels and Ukrainian soldiers. In response to renewed fighting by both sides, there will be a meeting in Belarus on Wednesday including representatives from both sides to discuss the intensifying situation.

For more information, please see:

Fox News – 2 dead as fighting in Ukraine intensifies – 4 May 2015

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty – Two Ukrainian Soldiers Killed By Land Mine In Luhansk – 4 May 2015

Yahoo News – Ukrainian soldier and civilian killed in intensifying clashes – 3 May 2015

The Guardian – Upswing in fighting in Ukraine sends civilians fleeing and puts truce in doubt – 3 May 2015

Indonesia Follows Through With the Execution of Drug Smugglers

By Max Bartels 

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania 

 

Jakarta, Indonesia

Australian citizens Andrew Chan and Myruran Sukumaran were executed Wednesday in Indonesia by firing squad. Both men were convicted in Indonesian courts and sentenced to death for their membership in the Bali Nine, a drug smuggling group. The executions took place despite strong protests from the Australian government and others in the international community.

The field where the prisoners were executed. (Photo curtesy of news.com.au)

In response to the executions Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott recalled the Australian ambassador to Indonesia. Abbott protested the executions saying that they were unnecessary because both men had been rehabilitated after 10 years in Indonesian prison. Abbott went on to say that these executions mark a dark time in Indonesian- Australian relations but he also stated that the relationship between the two countries would be restored.

The Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop protested saying that the executions were against international law. Australia requested that the case be submitted to the International Court of Justice for arbitration however, Indonesia never responded to the Australian appeals. According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, signed by Indonesia, the death penalty can only be imposed for the most serious crimes. Australia argues that drug trafficking does not rise to the level of a serious crime warranting the death penalty.

The Australian federal government claims that they are now taking the death penalty into account before they tip off foreign agencies to suspected Australian drug smugglers operating abroad. Justice Minister Michael Keenan insists that there are strict guidelines in place that Australian law enforcement officials have to consider the dangers of Australian citizens facing execution abroad.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo claims that the execution of the Australian citizens was not a political issue. He stated to reporters that it was an issue of Indonesian legal sovereignty and that Indonesian sovereignty must be respected. The President has imposed the death penalty in drug smuggling cases because of the significant toll drugs are taking on Indonesian society.

Five other foreign nationals were executed in Indonesia on drug smuggling convictions along with the two Australians. Among them were four Nigerian nationals and one Brazilian National. A second Brazilian is scheduled for execution this year and the Brazilian ambassador to Indonesia has also been recalled to Brazil for consultations. A Filipino women was also scheduled to be executed with the others but was spared a the last minute, no reason has been given by Indonesian authorities but it is suspected that there have been developments in her case.

For more information, please see: 

CNN — Australia Recalls Ambassador After Indonesia Executes Prisoners — 29 April, 2015 

The Sydney Morning Herald — Chan and Sukumaran Execution ‘Illegal’, but Indonesia Ignores Australia Again — 2 May, 2015

news.com.au — Bali Nine: Indonesia Says Executions of Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran were ‘Perfect’ — 1 May, 2015

Yahoo News — Bodies of Australians Executed in Indonesia Arrive Home: Reports — 1 May, 2015

 

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